Henderson Lewis Jr.

Henderson Lewis Jr.Henderson Lewis, Jr. is an African American educator who is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership within the School of Education, College of Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, the founding President, and Chief Executive Officer for Vision Forward Consulting Group, LLC and served as the 22nd Superintendent of Schools for the public school district in New Orleans, Louisiana, known as NOLA Public Schools. Dr. Lewis’s career began in his hometown of St. Bernard Parish where he taught for seven years as a high school math teacher at Andrew Jackson Fundamental Magnet High School and later was promoted to the district level as a curriculum coordinator. After Hurricane Katrina, he returned back home to reopen St. Bernard Parish Public Schools and served as a high school math teacher once again. In 2006, Dr. Lewis successfully ran for the position of school board member and was elected for three consecutive terms to represent District 9 on the St. Bernard Parish Public School Board. During his tenure for 11 years, Dr. Lewis was the only African American member of the school board and he served as the education committee chair, which led the transformative effort of rebuilding the school system in St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Lewis’s professional career began in New Orleans in the Fall of 2006, where he worked for the Algiers Charter Schools Association for six years. He served as an assistant principal, the founding principal, and the Director of Academics and Instructional Technology for the network. In 2012, Dr. Lewis received his first superintendency and become the Superintendent of East Feliciana Public Schools. Under his leadership, he restored confidence in the school district by putting students first and after his first year of service, the district was recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as 2nd in the state for elementary student academic growth. ​ On March 18, 2015, Dr. Lewis became one of the youngest superintendents ever in the 180-year history of New Orleans public schools. With nearly 20 years of educational experience as a teacher, mentor, assistant principal, instructional coach, curriculum expert, principal, and school district leader, Superintendent Lewis brought a unique, classroom-focused perspective to the table. During his tenure, he brought all his experiences to bear building partnerships, using data to drive decisions and leading NOLA Public Schools through unprecedented times including: Unifying the school district by bringing schools managed by the state Recovery School District to join schools under the oversight of the Orleans Parish School Board Leading the Nation in Response to COVID-19d data-driven decisions that protected the health and safety of students and educators Championing the cause for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Dr. Lewis served at the helm of NOLA PS for over seven years and throughout his superintendecny, he did not waver from his mission as a citywide regulator of schools, a protector of family and student rights, a champion for equity, and inclusivity, and a thoughtful steward of public resources. He retired as superintendent July 2022 as the longest serving African-American superintendent in the district’s more than 180-year history. Dr. Lewis was a member of Chiefs for Change where he serves on the Chief Equity Officers Committee, the American Association of School Superintendents, the Council of Great City Schools, and The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a loving, devoted, and proud father, which motivates him daily to be a change agent for social justice in service to others.

Publications

Redefining Student Achievement: Authentic Assessment in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Redefining Student Achievement: Authentic Assessment in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Henderson Lewis Jr., Shawna Mitchell Johnson, Evan Phillips. © 2024. 20 pages.
This chapter explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms on the development and implementation of authentic assessment practices. The integration of AI...
An Approach to the School Facility Renaming Process Using Culturally Responsive Leadership
An Approach to the School Facility Renaming Process Using Culturally Responsive Leadership
Henderson Lewis Jr.. © 2023. 15 pages.
Culturally responsive leadership allows for executive leaders to incorporate their core values and beliefs to make difficult decisions in organizations. This chapter explains how...
An Examination of the Impact of Developing Partnerships Between Educators and Advocates to Engage Families of Students With Disabilities
An Examination of the Impact of Developing Partnerships Between Educators and Advocates to Engage Families of Students With Disabilities
Henderson Lewis Jr., Shayla Guidry Hilaire, Jaime Johnson-Duplessis. © 2023. 17 pages.
The individual education program (IEP) process for students with disabilities involves the creation of a team that is poised with the responsibility of making decisions for the...
An Examination of Transformational School Leadership Qualities of Elementary Principals
An Examination of Transformational School Leadership Qualities of Elementary Principals
Henderson Lewis Jr., Veysel Altunel, Elizabeth P. Castro, Saleria Shaffer, Paula A. Thompson, Carlos G. Lee. © 2023. 17 pages.
School leadership is an integral part of fostering a positive culture and climate in schools. The art of leading schools establishes a mission and vision that yields positive...
An Examination of Literacy Writing Leadership in an All Charter District: The Impact of Privileged Reading Instruction, Mandated Prescriptive Curriculum, and Legislative Mandates
An Examination of Literacy Writing Leadership in an All Charter District: The Impact of Privileged Reading Instruction, Mandated Prescriptive Curriculum, and Legislative Mandates
Henderson Lewis Jr., Carlos G. Lee, Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell. © 2023. 25 pages.
After the take-over of the Orleans parish-wide school system following the devastation created by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the re-creation of the Orleans Parish Schools created...