Source: Jamaica Gleaner
New York City’s public schools will soon be under the leadership of a Jamaica-born educator, marking a significant milestone for the Caribbean diaspora.
Kamar Samuels, a graduate of Jamaica College in Kingston, has been appointed Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This vast system serves nearly one million students with more than 113 000 staff and an annual budget close to US$40 billion, placing Samuels at the helm of one of the most complex educational ecosystems in the world.
Samuels’ journey from Jamaica to New York reflects both personal ambition and deep-rooted values. Born and raised in Kingston, he attended Hope Valley Experimental School before continuing his studies at Jamaica College, graduating in 1993. Shortly after, he migrated to the US and pursued higher education at Baruch College, earning a degree in accounting. He later completed a master’s in childhood education at Lehman College, laying the foundation for a lifelong career in teaching and school leadership.
Before his elevation to chancellor, Samuels served as a senior administrator within the New York public school system, including roles as superintendent in Brooklyn and Manhattan. His rise through the ranks was supported by early opportunities such as the New Leaders for New Schools programme under former mayor Michael Bloomberg.
In his first statements since the announcement, Samuels spoke passionately about his roots. “As a Jamaica-born immigrant, I am excited… to create an educational system that is affordable for all students,” he said.
The appointment has drawn praise from leaders in both the US and Jamaican communities. Colleagues describe Samuels as a visionary leader committed to student success, while the Jamaican Consulate in New York commended his achievement as a testament to the contributions of Jamaicans abroad.
