Kamar Samuels, a Jamaican born educator with nearly two decades in the New York City public school system, is set to be tapped as the next New York City schools chancellor. The expected move by Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani places Samuels at the head of the largest public school system in the United States, serving more than 900,000 students across the five boroughs. His selection reflects a career shaped by classroom experience, district leadership, and long standing ties to education work in both New York City and Jamaica.
Early Life and Jamaican Roots
Kamar Samuels was born in Jamaica before later building his life and career in the United States. His Jamaican background has remained an important part of his public identity, especially through his involvement in education focused work connected to the island. Over the years, Samuels has maintained active engagement with issues affecting Jamaican youth and the wider diaspora, particularly in the area of early childhood education.
His connection to Jamaica is not symbolic. It has been expressed through structured work, leadership roles, and long term involvement in nonprofit initiatives that focus on education and social development.
Leadership at JAMPACT
Before rising to senior roles within the New York City Department of Education, Samuels served as Former President of Jamaica Impact Inc, known as JAMPACT. The New York City based nonprofit focuses its projects on Jamaica, with a strong emphasis on early childhood education, teacher development, and community support.
During his time as president, JAMPACT supported basic schools and children’s homes across Jamaica. The organization provided financial and in kind assistance to early childhood institutions, while also investing in teacher training through its Tuition Assistance Program. These efforts aligned with JAMPACT’s stated mission to improve education quality and support youth development in Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora.
Samuels’ leadership at JAMPACT placed him at the center of education focused nonprofit work that connected New York based professionals with on the ground needs in Jamaica. This experience added an international and community based dimension to his education career.
Start in New York City Classrooms
Samuels began his career in New York City as a classroom teacher in the Bronx. He spent several years working directly with students before moving into school leadership. His early years in the classroom shaped his understanding of student needs, school operations, and the daily challenges faced by educators.
After teaching, Samuels became a principal at the Bronx Writing Academy, also known as PS 323. In that role, he worked on changes to school schedules, class structure, and the use of technology in learning. His time as a principal marked the start of his transition into broader leadership roles within the school system.
District Leadership in Brooklyn
Following his work as a principal, Samuels moved into district leadership roles in Brooklyn. He served in District 13 and District 23, areas that include neighborhoods with varied income levels and student populations. As a district leader, he was involved in school mergers and planning efforts aimed at addressing enrollment changes and access to education programs.
In Brooklyn, Samuels also played a role in shifting district approaches to selective programs. His work focused on broader access to learning opportunities across schools, rather than limiting advanced programs to small groups of students.
Superintendent of Manhattan District 3
Samuels currently serves as superintendent of Manhattan’s District 3, which includes the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, and parts of Harlem. The district is known for its wide range of school communities and ongoing debates around enrollment, access, and integration.
As superintendent, Samuels has overseen schools with very different student populations and needs. His role has included managing school mergers, responding to enrollment decline, and working with families and staff during periods of change. District 3 has also been a focal point for citywide education discussions, placing Samuels in a highly visible leadership position.
Challenges Ahead as Chancellor
If formally appointed, Samuels will take on the role of schools chancellor at a time of major transition for New York City public schools. The system continues to face declining enrollment, staffing needs tied to state class size requirements, and ongoing concerns about attendance and student performance.
Another major issue will be governance. Mayor elect Mamdani has stated his intent to change the current structure of mayoral control over the school system. Any shift in governance could affect how the chancellor operates and how decisions are made across the system.
Samuels’ background as a teacher, principal, district leader, and nonprofit executive positions him as someone familiar with both policy and practice. His experience spans classrooms, school buildings, district offices, and community based education work.
Why This Appointment Matters
The expected selection of a Jamaican born educator as New York City schools chancellor holds significance for the city’s diverse population and its large Caribbean community. It highlights the role of immigrant educators in shaping public institutions and reflects the global roots of many leaders within the city’s school system.
For members of the Jamaican diaspora, Samuels’ rise represents a connection between local leadership in New York and long standing efforts to support education in Jamaica. His past role at JAMPACT underscores a career that has linked public service in the United States with community focused work tied to his country of birth.
Looking Ahead
As New York City prepares for a new administration, the appointment of Kamar Samuels signals continuity in education leadership grounded in system experience. At the same time, it opens a new chapter shaped by proposed policy changes and ongoing challenges across the nation’s largest school district.
Samuels’ journey from Jamaican born student to New York City schools chancellor reflects a career built within public education, supported by community engagement, and defined by steady progression through the ranks of the school system.
Photo – X/PS 242 YDMA
