Mayor Bill de Blasio has named Richard Carranza as the next chancellor of New York City public schools.

The decision comes after de Blasio's first pick for chancellor, Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, backed out.

Carranza comes to New York City with experience as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He most recently served as the superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, where he made the bold decision to reopen schools two weeks after Hurricane Harvey struck there.

Before Houston, Carranza served for four years as the superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District. San Francisco's mayor said test scores and graduation rates increased during that time. Carranza also stood up for rights for LGBTQ students in both districts.

Carranza says he wants to make school a place where all kids can learn.

"The equity agenda championed by our mayor is my equity agenda," he said. "And when I considered the opportunity, there's no daylight between Mayor de Blasio and myself between what we believe in, what our aspirations are for the children of New York City."

The United Federation of Teachers said in a statement: "Mr. Carranza has earned a reputation for collaboration with teachers, parents and school communities and has been a real champion of public schools. We are encouraged by his commitment to all children, his resistance to a 'testing culture' and his support for the community schools approach."

Carvalho shocked New York City officials last week when he backed out of an agreement to take over as chancellor. De Blasio said he called Carranza last Wednesday to tell him the decision came down to two people and that he chose to go in a different direction. But 24 hours later, the mayor called back Carranza after Carvalho fell through.

Carranza will take over for Chancellor Carmen Farina when she retires at the end of March. He is also a mariachi singer and has a twin brother.