As David C. Banks, the New York City schools chancellor, prepared to take the stage at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens on Tuesday to deliver his annual State of Our Schools address, a highlight reel from the last school year was projected onto a large screen.

In one scene, an elementary-school-aged girl said she had learned at school that it was important to listen to others. “We’re still all humans,” she said. “We’re still all trying to make it through life.”

That sentiment struck a chord with Chancellor Banks. A series of wide-ranging corruption investigations have enveloped City Hall in recent weeks, ensnaring many top members of Mayor Eric Adams’s administration, including the chancellor; his partner, Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor; and his brother Philip B. Banks III, the deputy mayor for public safety.

So as he strode to the lectern, Chancellor Banks tried to project stability. But first, a little joke.

“My name is David Banks, and I’m just trying to make it through life,” he said, to laughs.

Ms. Wright looked on, seated next to Mr. Adams in a darkened area to the left of the stage. Neither made any public comments, but Chancellor Banks acknowledged them both.

“Thank you to Mayor Adams and all the other members from the administration who are here today,” Chancellor Banks said. “But certainly a big, big shout-out to my beloved, my sweetheart, the love of my life, the first deputy mayor, Sheena Wright.”