Ypsilanti's Estabrook Elementary School’s principal Joseph Guillen unexpectedly announced Wednesday he will be retiring effective Friday.

Emma Jackson, Ypsilanti Public Schools public relations director, said Guillen’s retirement was prompted for “personal reasons” and he notified his staff late last week. Guillen joined Estabrook as its principal in January 2010.

“It was met by everyone with mixed emotion,” Jackson said. “He is a beloved administrator and will be missed.”

Jackson said Karla Graessley, a second-grade teacher at Erickson Elementary, has been named interim principal. The district will begin looking to fill the position after it’s posted in the spring.

Guillen started in the district 18 years ago. He was previously the principal at Perry Child Development Center and Chapelle Elementary, according to a news release.

“I’m looking forward to more time with family and friends, yet I will miss the colleagues and students who have become my family,” Guillen said in a statement. “I leave knowing that great things are going to continue to take place every day in the classroom.”

There is a community farewell planned for Sunday, Feb. 12 at Estabrook Elementary beginning at 2 p.m.

Contact reporter Danny Shaw at 734-623-2544 or dannyshaw@annarbor.com.