Brooklyn Council Member Mark Treyger, a former teacher and UFT delegate at New Utrecht HS, was appointed the new chair of the New York City Council’s Education Committee on Jan. 11.

New Council Speaker Corey Johnson tapped Treyger to succeed Queens Councilman Danny Dromm, himself a former teacher, who will now head up the Council’s Finance Committee.

“Mark Treyger brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new post,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “We look forward to working with him even more closely on issues important to more than 1 million public school students and their families.”

Treyger began his teaching career as a paraprofessional in 2005 and became a teacher at New Utrecht HS the following year. There, he taught history and economics and served as a UFT delegate and a member of the School Leadership Team.

Treyger was elected to the City Council in 2013 with the backing of the UFT. In that role, Treyger has been a vocal advocate for public schools. He backed bills to curb bullying and confront school segregation and put pressure on the city Department of Education to resolve overcrowding and maintenance issues in his district’s schools.

“I believe in the New York City school system and the thousands of dedicated, hardworking administrators, educators and support staff that commit themselves to providing our city’s youth with a quality education,” said Treyger. “Our thriving city is constantly changing, and so are the needs of our diverse and vibrant student body. We need to ensure that New York City schools continue to grow and meet those needs.”

UFT Political Director Paul Egan said Treyger’s background as a teacher will serve him in good stead.

“We’re delighted that we have someone who has been in the classroom and who’s walked in our shoes and done our jobs from para to teacher,” said Egan. “He will have a great understanding and empathy for all our members in the schools.”