NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Bronx, New York Borough President Vanessa Gibson has welcomed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s appointment of Jamaican-born Kamar Samuels as chancellor of New York City public education system.

Samuels, who served as superintendent for Manhattan’s District 3 and Brooklyn’s District 13, was appointed to lead the nation’s largest school district on January 1.

“On behalf of our borough, we want to congratulate Kamar H Samuels on his appointment as our next chancellor of New York City Public Schools,” Gibson, the daughter of a Trinidadian father, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday.

“With decades of experience as a veteran educator, school leader and public school parent, Chancellor Samuels brings a deep understanding of the public education system to this role.

“His dedication to academic excellence, culturally responsive learning, and student achievement aligns with our fundamental belief that every child in New York City deserves access to a safe, inclusive and high-quality education that provides pathways to good-paying jobs and future careers,” she added.

“With our administration investing more than $85 million in capital funding for our borough’s schools, continuing our collaboration with the New York City Public Schools chancellor will be essential to ensure our scholars continue to have the resources and opportunities they need to excel academically,” Gibson continued.

“I look forward to advancing this partnership with our new chancellor to further invest in our schools, eliminate barriers to academic success and achievement, bridge the digital divide, and equip our youth with the resources they need for a successful future,” she said.

A veteran educator with more than two decades of experience and a New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) parent himself, NYCPS said Chancellor Samuels has “devoted his career to advancing student achievement, strengthening instructional practice and building schools that are safe, academically rigorous and truly integrated”.

NYCPS said Samuels is focused on the core priorities that make schools successful and on engaging closely with educators, families and students.

“He believes schools should reflect what makes New York City unique, embracing our rich diversity through learning experiences grounded in cultural understanding and respect,” it said. “He leads with the conviction that all children deserve schools where they feel safe and valued, are challenged academically and are prepared to thrive in college, careers and life.”

NYCPS said Samuels was born in Jamaica, where he attended Jamaica College in St Andrew, before continuing his education in New York City at Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY).

He began his career in NYCPS through the NYC Teaching Fellows programme as an elementary school teacher in the Bronx.

NYCPS said Samuels’ early classroom experiences shaped his belief that “high expectations, meaningful support and family partnership are essential to student success”.

Samuels went on to serve as principal of the Bronx Writing Academy (MS 323), followed by senior leadership roles in NYCPS central offices, including executive director of District School Design and senior director of Partnerships and Initiatives, NYCPS said.

In these positions, it said Samuels provided strategic guidance on school design and supported equitable access to high-quality academic programmes.