The newly elected Mayor of New York City, Mamdani, has appointed Kamar Samuels as the next Director of Education for the New York City public schools. Samuels, a seasoned education professional, has been working in the New York City public school system for nearly twenty years. He has previously served as the Superintendent of Manhattan District Three and Brooklyn District Thirteen, where he significantly improved students’ literacy and writing skills. Additionally, he secured over $10 million in funding for school integration efforts in two school districts in New York City.
Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of providing every child in the wealthiest city of one of the wealthiest countries in the world with exceptional and unparalleled public education. He expressed his commitment to working with Samuels to enhance students’ reading and math scores, eliminate school segregation, increase support for teachers, address homelessness among students, and ensure every student receives a top-notch education.
Samuels stated, “Having worked in our classrooms, schools, and districts for nearly two decades, I know that our students thrive when schools are well-funded, teachers are supported, and the education system is built around fairness and opportunity.”
Furthermore, Mayor Mamdani outlined the city’s plans to reduce education costs to allow students to focus on learning during their time in school. The administration will also address the crisis faced by homeless students. The number of homeless students in New York City has reached a historic high, with over 154,000 projected for 2025. They will expand the “Every Child and Family is Known” program to provide care for every child.
In addition, the Department of Education will increase teacher recruitment efforts, broaden pathways to becoming a teacher, and implement reforms to retain excellent teachers within the public school system. Nationally, 55% of teachers are considering leaving the industry. In New York City, the education department is experiencing a severe shortage of teachers and support staff. Certain specialized areas such as special education, bilingual K-12, math, and science are facing particularly acute shortages. Just to meet the requirements of the 2022 class size reduction law, New York City will need to hire 7,000 to 9,000 teachers in the coming years.