10/03/2025 - For more than two decades, Martin Jambor was known as a successful hotelier, running some of Saipan’s most prominent resorts. Today, instead of welcoming guests at check-in counters, he is greeting students at morning assembly as the new headmaster of Saipan International School.

Jambor’s career switch may seem surprising to some, but in reality, he was always destined for education. Born and raised in Prague in the Czech Republic, Jambor earned a master’s degree in education at Charles University back in 2007 before embarking on a hospitality career that took him from boutique hotels in Europe to senior management roles at Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan, Kanoa Resort Saipan, and Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.

“I always wanted to kind of, you know, be involved in education and schools. But somehow, while I was studying for my master's degree, I started working in the [hotel industry] as well. And I ended up being quite a successful hotelier for the past two decades,” said Jambor.

He joined SIS two years ago as a physical education teacher, leaning on his other lifelong passion—soccer. For years, Jambor has been a familiar figure on Saipan’s soccer fields, coaching youth teams and promoting the sport.

When longtime headmaster Dr. Ron Snyder announced he was stepping down after nearly a decade, the SIS board turned to Jambor to take the reins. 

Snyder mentored him through the transition this year, and Jambor officially assumed the post at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Jambor said Snyder definitely left big shoes to fill, but he’s fortunate that he also left a strong foundation. 

“His legacy is huge here and goes beyond. And again, for me, if you take it the right way and you continue what he has established and just nurture the things he started, and maybe in the long term, again, just to expand, that's actually quite easy because he has done all the foundation here.”

Jambor said his short-term goal is to continue what Snyder built as well as listen to SIS teachers, his staff, and students, and slowly expand SIS’ reach beyond the Northern Marianas.

In fact, Jambor has started inviting randomly selected students to his office for informal chats about school life and has adopted an open-door policy with teachers. Long-term, he hopes to deepen SIS’ reputation as the CNMI’s leading private school by forging links with other international schools abroad, exploring exchange programs, and raising the school’s profile in academic and extracurricular competitions.

As for the difference between running a hotel compared to running a school, Jambor said it’s not much of a change, really. 

“Coming from a business background where I spent, as I said, 20 years, I was always able and I feel lucky to be able to do it, leading diverse teams, leading people from all around the world, you know, with different cultures, different beliefs, different experiences, you know. And coming to an international school, it actually really well connects, right? Because like, again, in here, I also have a team of teachers from different countries, you know, from various corners of the planet.”

And then there’s the more fulfilling part of running a school, as he said, “[In] customer service, you make sure that the guests are satisfied and happy during their stay. At Saipan International School, it goes beyond that point. Obviously, we are responsible for helping our students and getting them into college, setting them on the pathway for their next journey.”

Jambor admits he took over at a delicate time, with the CNMI economy still fragile and population numbers in flux. But he says SIS remains on steady ground with 250 students and 15 teachers. Enrollment is only slightly down from last year, and he is confident in the school’s strong brand.

Now firmly settled on Saipan after 11 years with his wife Sharka and their 13-year-old son Quido—an SIS student and athlete—Jambor sees his new role as both a professional challenge and a personal calling.

In the next chapter of his career, he is again leaning on a tried and tested formula that has served him well since his hotelier days.

“As long as we keep those communication channels between us open, then we can avoid misunderstanding and we all can work out together and make SIS the best school on island. That's kind of our common goal here at Saipan International School.”

Report by Mark Rabago