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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is expected to announce Wednesday that he will name Kamar Samuels, a longtime New York City educator and Manhattan superintendent, as the next schools chancellor, according to multiple reports.
Samuels, who has been an educator in New York City public schools for nearly two decades, is known for promoting racial diversity through school mergers and for working to dismantle the Gifted & Talented program, which some critics say is racially biased. the New York Post reported.
The chancellor of schools oversees the nation’s largest public school system, educating more than 900,000 students in approximately 1,600 schools and employing approximately 135,000 people.
Samuels led school mergers aimed at racial integration while overseeing an effort by the de Blasio administration to increase diversity at certain Brooklyn middle schools, according to Chalkbeat.
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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference in New York City, December 20, 2025. (Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters)
According to the emailSamuels has also supported the International Baccalaureate program, which he said aligns with his philosophy of expanding opportunities for students while investing in teachers.
Samuels’ appointment would align with Mamdani’s campaign promise to reform education policy under his administration.
In October, Mamdani told The New York Times that he would renew a plan first proposed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2021, which sought eliminate Gifted and Talented testing for public school kindergarteners, opting for universal testing in second grade.
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(L-R) Kamar Samuels, Julie Engerran and Mark Dunetz attend the 14th Annual Teaching Matters Education Champions Luncheon at the Metropolitan Club on October 26, 2022, in New York City. (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Mayor Eric Adams stopped de Blasio’s initiative when he took office, according to the Post.
Mamdani’s selection for schools chancellor was first reported by City & State.
Samuels began his career as an elementary school teacher in the Bronx before moving into school leadership as a high school principal in the district. He later served as deputy superintendent in Brooklyn Community School District 23, then as superintendent of Community School District 13, before assuming the role of superintendent of Manhattan District 3.
“It really is a politically challenging task to lead District 3, and he led it at a very difficult time,” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine told City & State. “He consistently showed incredible sensitivity and nuance and stuck to his principles.”
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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani plans to name Kamar Samuels, a longtime New York City educator and Manhattan superintendent, as the next schools chancellor. (Getty)
Samuels would succeed outgoing schools chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos, who was seeking to remain in the position, the publication added.
Mamdani will be sworn in as the next mayor of New York City on Thursday, January 1.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Mamdani’s team for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.