Kamar Samuels to Lead NYC Public Schools as Mamdani Keeps Mayoral Control
New York City is getting a new schools chancellor. I can confirm that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has selected Kamar Samuels to lead NYC Public Schools. At the same time, Mamdani will keep mayoral control of the system. That decision locks in a clear line of authority over the nation’s largest school district. It also sets a fast track for policy in the coming term.
Governance Reset, With the Classroom in Mind
The pairing of this pick and the governance call is not small. It means one leader at City Hall will be responsible for what students learn, how schools hire, and how dollars move. Families will know where to point praise or pressure. Principals will know who sets the pace.
Mayoral control can speed big changes. It can also miss local voices if leaders do not listen. Samuels will need strong community engagement, school by school, to keep trust. The first meetings with parent councils and union leaders will matter. So will early visits to schools that face uneven results.
With mayoral control intact, expect faster decisions on curriculum, staffing, safety, and budgets. Accountability now sits squarely at City Hall.
What the Samuels Appointment Signals
Samuels will shape instruction, staffing, and supports for more than a million students. My reporting points to four early priorities. First, get core instruction right, especially reading and algebra. Second, stabilize hiring in hard-to-staff roles. Third, expand career pathways that lead to good jobs. Fourth, improve attendance and student well-being.
This is where policy meets the job market. New York’s schools are one of the city’s largest employers. The system will recruit thousands of teachers, aides, and specialists this year. A clear agenda will guide who gets hired and where.
Here is where the openings are most likely to grow:
- Special education teachers and related service providers
- Bilingual and dual language educators
- Career and technical education instructors in high-demand fields
- School counselors, social workers, and attendance teams
Expect fresh partnerships with employers in health care, tech, green energy, and the trades. Strong Career and Technical Education programs can lift graduation rates and wages. Students need paid work-based learning, industry credentials, and mentors. The chancellor’s office can open these doors with targeted grants and flexible scheduling.
What Educators and Job Seekers Should Do Now
If you are a teacher, sharpen the skills that match the agenda. Build your literacy and math instruction toolkit. Get comfortable using simple data checks each week. Practice small-group teaching that reaches every student. If you have a bilingual license, highlight it. If you do not, explore pathway programs and fee support. Principals will value staff who can lead tutoring blocks, run advisory, and support attendance.
If you are seeking a role, move fast. Update your resume with clear impact lines. Use numbers where you can. Show how you raised reading levels, boosted attendance, or placed students in internships. Prepare a sample lesson and a family outreach plan. Be ready to discuss student safety, de-escalation, and restorative practices.
Job hunters, line up three references, a one-page impact resume, a ready lesson plan, and proof of required certifications. Aim to apply within 72 hours of postings.
Families also have a role. Set a steady reading habit at home, 20 minutes a night. Track attendance like a paycheck. Meet your school’s guidance team now, not later. Ask about tutoring, summer bridge options, and CTE programs that match your child’s interests. Small steps add up across a school year.
What to Watch in the First 100 Days
Watch for a clear reading plan, an algebra push, and attendance targets. Look for hiring incentives in shortage areas. Expect a new CTE blueprint that links high school coursework to industry credentials. Budget guidance will reveal what gets real support, not just speeches.
The new leadership must also address school-by-school staffing gaps. That means faster onboarding, fewer vacancies in September, and better sub coverage. It also means more time for teacher coaching, not just compliance meetings. If City Hall delivers on these basics, classrooms will feel the change by winter.
Conclusion
Kamar Samuels will take the helm with both authority and urgency. By keeping mayoral control, Mayor-elect Mamdani owns the results. The path is clear, the stakes are high, and the work starts now. Students do not get do-overs. The next 100 days will set the tone for the next four years. Let’s measure what matters, invest where it counts, and keep the focus on learning and real careers. 📚
