Administrator Spotlight

Mark Lewis, Principal, Jim Stone Elementary, Conway Public Schools

Mark Lewis, Principal at Jim Stone Elementary in the Conway School District, has spent the last 26 years serving the students of Conway Public Schools. He says "I taught third grade for three years at Ida Burns Elementary before being hired as an assistant principal for both Theodore Jones Elementary and Jim Stone Elementary. After 5 years in that role, I was selected to be the principal of Jim Stone Elementary where I’ve been for the last 16 years." Mark credits his mom with pushing him to follow her footsteps in the education world. However, while she was a big influence on his decision, he says few know the ultimate reason he became an educator: In the summer between high school and college he was asked to help coach a U16 baseball team. "The head coach told me after the season that I had the makings of an educator. The next season I was asked to head coach a new team that was an 'expansion' team. Basically, this means the other teams sent me the players they didn’t want. We went undefeated and one of my pitchers threw a no-hitter.”

According to Mark, being a principal is sometimes like being a trash compactor, explaining " You answer to people above, below and around you. We just feel squashed." Outside of the pandemic, the most challenging part of his job is unfunded mandates and not being able to help ease the stress on his staff. As for his favorite part, he says "No contest. It’s the kids. They are the bright spot every day." He says the biggest changes he's experienced in education over his career come from a tie between data and technology, stating " Not everyone even had a computer when I started and now even the kids have some form of technology of their own. Data is the other. When I started, test results went into a file in your desk drawer and were never discussed. Now, every single decision you make is based on data."

Mark is most proud of the teachers and staff he has assembled at his school, saying nobody else compares. He states, " It is not a cliche to say we are family. It’s the truth." He also marvels at the success his district has in transporting almost 10,000 kids to and from school each day with few issues. For future goals, he says that through PLCs, his staff is focused on increasing academic achievement as well as supporting the socialemotional well-being of every Jim Stone student.

Coworkers might describe Mark as "the old war dog" because he says, "I’ve been in the principal seat longer than anyone in our district. They’d tell you I love listening to new ideas and sharing mine, but it will come with a few funny (to me) stories they don’t have time to listen to." During his time off, he says he loves his Peloton Bike, working out, golf and just being at home watching TV with his wife. "If you can’t find me at any of those places, then I’m cooking on my Blackstone or my smoker." As for his future career plans, Mark says in five years he'll still be right at Jim Stone Elementary, and that he "wouldn’t want to be working anywhere else."

? Q&A ! with Mark Lewis

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

“I will never be thought of as fondly as my mom, Carolyn Lewis, who was loved from the classroom, to administration, to the Conway School Board, to having an elementary school named after her. I would be honored to be remembered somewhere close to her in kindness and equality.”

What would you tell someone who was thinking about a similar career?

“I would tell someone to visit with multiple educators in the business. You’ll get a wide variety of answers both negative and positive. Be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. Your college degrees give you the knowledge to start teaching. Wisdom comes more from mistakes than accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to make them.”

Tell us about any awards or recognition you have received.

“I am the principal of a National Blue Ribbon School (2011), and I was student of the year for the Educational Specialist Program at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) in 2015.”

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

“That I’m actually capable of being completely serious for extended periods of time”

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

“Supporting my son when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was just three years old. He did some form of chemotherapy every day for 38 months. When he had his last treatment party at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the nurse practitioner took me aside and said, ‘We never had a doubt if Adam was going to make it. We were all concerned if Adam’s dad was going to make it.’”

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

“To be a contestant on The Price is Right.”

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

“I would hopefully be a meteorologist. I’m a huge weather geek.”

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

“The people from all over the state come together as one to provide learning opportunities and networking. It is a truly powerful piece in influencing legislation, because there are few (if any) educators making the ultimate decisions for our profession.”