Stratford Resident Named Middle School Principal of the Year

The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Damon Lewis, principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk and resident of Stratford, has been selected as the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year. Each year, CAS accepts nominations for the Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal of the Year awards. The winners are chosen by a selection committee consisting of active and retired school administrators.

A visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to student success, Lewis has transformed his school into a model of achievement, equity, and engagement. His “Every Day Counts” culture has led to significant improvements in student attendance, academic performance, school climate and family-school partnerships. Exclaims teacher Racquel Sesler, “Wow! We have come a long way under Dr. Lewis’ leadership! We have gone from Ponus Ridge Middle School to Ponus Ridge Community. He has built a community. We are far more than just a school.”

Reacting to the news of his award, Lewis stated, “I am incredibly honored and humbled to be acknowledged for this award. A personal THANK YOU to Norwalk Public Schools for allowing me to lead and build capacity in others. It is a testament and affirmation of the hard work demonstrated by the entire Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy community- staff, students, families, and community members. This is a WE award.”

Lewis can never be found in his office. He prefers to spend his time in the classrooms and hallways where, in his words, “the magic happens!” His RBC—Relationships Before Content—mantra is put into practice daily, as he builds connections with students and encourages teachers to follow suit. He leads by example, always exhibiting the characteristics that comprise the school’s core P.R.I.D.E. values - Perseverance, Respect, Intelligence, Diversity, Excellence - which he helped develop and embed in every facet of the school’s operation.

Under Lewis’s leadership, chronic absenteeism at Ponus Ridge dropped from 31% to just 8.3% in a single year. His relentless focus on student needs and well-being ensures that every scholar—his preferred term for students—feels valued and supported in their educational journey. Remarks one 8th grader, “My principal is always involved in listening to us with respect and caring about our input and feelings.”

Described by parents as visible, approachable, and deeply involved, Lewis prioritizes family engagement. He established a School Governance Council to seek parents’ feedback and include their voices in decision-making. He built strong partnerships with community agencies to provide essential resources to families including clothing and care closets, a food pantry, and a school-based health center. He opens the school doors to parents on “Walkthrough Wednesdays,” hosts numerous family events including International Night and the “March Madness” staff vs. students basketball game; and he created the Hispanic/Latino Spanish parent group to better involve and interact with non-English speaking parents. His inclusive and welcoming leadership style ensures that all families feel connected to their child’s education.

A champion for equity and access, Lewis tackled the disproportionality of discipline incidents among students of color and increased the representation of Black and Brown students in gifted and talented programs. He also implemented an Equity Ambassadors program, empowering teachers to provide peer training on implicit and explicit bias in the classroom. “Despite budgetary restrictions, socioeconomic challenges, or other difficulties inherent in such a diverse and challenging community for this Title I school, Dr. Lewis raises the bar, pushes to get the best out of his staff and students and leads by example for equity, inclusion and maximizing learning and the potential of all,” says parent Gloria Niederer.

Through the expansion of STEAM course offerings and the introduction of new technology tools, Lewis has made learning more interactive and engaging. His commitment to broadening student experiences extends beyond the classroom. He has significantly increased extracurricular opportunities by adding new clubs and sports, ensuring that every student has a chance to explore their passions. Says one 8th grader, “No matter your interest, there is a class or club for you. Dr. Lewis has made that happen. He has introduced so many new programs and opportunities. He has made this school great.”

A risk-taker unafraid to challenge the status quo, Lewis embraces innovative and non-traditional practices to change the trajectory of students’ lives. He leads with selflessness, always putting the needs of his school community before his own. Norwalk Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella says this of Lewis: “True leadership is not just what impacts the individual but the whole. Dr. Lewis looks at challenges he needs to tackle not just for his school, but also for his colleagues, his community, and his profession.”

Lewis will represent Connecticut in the National Middle School Principal of the Year Award Program sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). He will compete for the national honor along with principals from each of the other forty-nine states as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity.