Kamar Samuels, a Jamaican-born educator with nearly two decades in the New York City public school system, is expected to be appointed as the next New York City schools chancellor. The anticipated move by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani would place Samuels at the helm of the largest public school system in the United States, serving more than 900,000 students across the city’s five boroughs.
Samuels’ selection reflects a career built from the classroom up, spanning teaching, school leadership, district administration, and education-focused nonprofit work connected to both New York City and Jamaica.
From Jamaica to New York’s Classrooms
Born in Jamaica, Kamar Samuels is an alumnus of Jamaica College, where he completed his secondary education before migrating to the United States. His formative years at one of Jamaica’s most established secondary schools remain an important part of his educational background and ongoing alumni engagement.
After relocating to New York, Samuels began his career as a classroom teacher in the Bronx. Those early years working directly with students shaped his leadership approach and grounded his understanding of the daily realities faced by teachers, families, and school communities in urban public education.
He later became principal of the Bronx Writing Academy (PS 323), where he focused on instructional improvement, school scheduling, and the integration of technology into learning. His tenure as principal marked the transition from classroom practice to broader system leadership.
District and System Leadership
Samuels went on to serve in senior district roles in Brooklyn, including leadership positions in Districts 13 and 23. In these roles, he was involved in school planning and mergers, managing enrolment shifts, and expanding access to academic programmes across schools with varied student populations.
He currently serves as superintendent of Manhattan’s District 3, which includes the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, and parts of Harlem. The district has been at the centre of citywide education debates around enrolment decline, access, and integration. As superintendent, Samuels has overseen complex transitions, worked closely with school communities, and managed competing priorities across a diverse group of schools.
Ongoing Ties to Jamaica and Diaspora Education Work
While building his career in New York, Samuels has maintained active ties to Jamaica through education-focused community work. He previously served as president of Jamaica Impact Inc. (JAMPACT), a New York-based nonprofit that supports early childhood education in Jamaica.
Under his leadership, JAMPACT provided financial and in-kind support to basic schools and children’s homes, and invested in teacher development through its Tuition Assistance Programme. His involvement positioned him at the intersection of diaspora engagement and on-the-ground education support in Jamaica.
Samuels also remains actively involved in alumni-led education initiatives through the Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York (JCOBA-NY), where he has served as a board director. The New York–based nonprofit supports academic, extracurricular, and infrastructure projects at Jamaica College, reflecting his continued commitment to giving back through organised diaspora leadership.
A System at a Turning Point
If confirmed, Samuels will assume the chancellorship during a period of significant transition for New York City public schools. The system is grappling with declining enrolment, staffing pressures linked to state-mandated class size reductions, and ongoing concerns around attendance and student performance.
Governance will also be a key issue. Mayor-elect Mamdani has signalled plans to alter the current structure of mayoral control over the school system, changes that could reshape how the chancellor operates and how decisions are made.
Why the Appointment Matters
Samuels’ expected appointment carries particular significance for New York City’s Caribbean and immigrant communities. It underscores the role of immigrant educators in leading major public institutions and highlights long-standing connections between diaspora leadership and education work in Jamaica.
For the Jamaican diaspora, his rise represents a rare moment of visibility at the highest level of one of the world’s largest school systems — grounded not only in heritage, but in decades of professional experience within public education.
