ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria F. Vazquez announced Monday she will retire at the end of the 2026–2027 school year, closing a 35-year career in education that took her from a classroom teacher to the leader of one of the largest school districts in the country.
Vazquez shared the news in a letter to OCPS families, saying the decision came after months of reflection and conversations with her family.
“Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Vazquez wrote. “I remain fully committed to leading this district with the same energy, passion, and purpose that have guided me throughout my career.”
A career built inside OCPS
Vazquez started her career as an elementary school classroom teacher and reading resource teacher before rising through the ranks at OCPS as an assistant principal, principal, area superintendent, and chief academic officer. She was promoted to deputy superintendent in 2018 and appointed as superintendent in September 2022 — becoming the district’s first Hispanic superintendent…