Schools & Education
charting a
new course New Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony S. Lewis is on a mission to build trust and break barriers as he guides DPS toward success, one student at a time
B Y AN N A- RHESA VERSOLA PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHA EL S I M PS O N
Who inspired you to pursue a career in education? Growing up, I nthony S. Lewis and his wife, Tiffany Lewis, was surrounded by educators who, for the most part, were working have settled into their East Durham home with students with disabilities. My mother, Diann Lewis-Turner, after moving from Kansas, where Anthony was a kindergarten teacher for a couple of years, and then she had served as superintendent of Lawrence began work at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Public Schools since 2018. He began his Talladega, Alabama. My grandmother, Vicie Lewis, was a cafeteria four-year term as Durham Public Schools manager for about 40 years at the Helen Keller School. I also had two aunts who worked there, and one of the aunts was a special superintendent on Aug. 12, just in time education teacher. That really sparked my interest in pursuing a for the start of the traditional school year career in special education. and to begin the process of meeting his new extended family What drew you to this position at this members of 31,906 time, and what made you decide to come students and 5,118 to Durham? I’m a huge family person. I preach to our administrators that family teachers and staff. always comes first. It was about time for me Anthony and Tiffany to heed those words. All of my family is in have two of their Alabama. … [North Carolina] is closer to own children, Kaylee home [than] the 15-hour drive from Kansas. Lewis, 13, and Braxton Lewis, 11, enrolled at Neal Magnet What are some of the strengths you bring to this position? I’ve taken on some very Middle School. Their blended family difficult and complex assignments that includes four adult children: Jasmine have prepared me for what I’m learning Forest View Elementary third grader Kylyn Lilly, Frank, Akirah Lewis, Anthony Lewis II 8, and Superintendent Lewis work together and continuing to find in Durham Public and Sierra Johnson. on an assignment. Schools. I’ve had successes in all types of Anthony earned his doctorate suburban and urban districts that were unaccredited [and turned in education leadership and policy analysis from the them into] high performers. I certainly understand the importance of data-driven decisions. University of Missouri-Columbia and started his career I think my other strengths are my abilities to listen and respond as a public school principal in Montgomery, Alabama. not only to the needs of our scholars and staff, but also to the He’s consistently led schools and districts to success over needs of the community. During my time in Alabama, Missouri his 22 years as an educator. “Putting systems in place and Kansas, my success came from putting systems in place that for developing those plans is something that’s definitely increased student achievement in all subject areas. The district I just needed here in Durham,” he says. left had the highest graduation rate in 16 years last year. 64
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