Dr. Donna W. Lewis started her career as a teacher in Tucson, AZ before being selected to serve as a nationwide trainer for AASA. She later served as Principal and then a director of 17 schools in Fairfax County, VA. Upon her return to Arizona, she was asked to serve on the elected State Superintendent of Public Instructions’ cabinet as Associate Superintendent of Testing and Accountability.
As Creighton Superintendent and under her leadership, the Creighton School was rebuilt offering dual-language, multi-age, and constructivist learning. Through the partnerships created with AASA, Creighton students have traveled through the Junior Ambassadors Program to China, Germany, Costa Rica, and Washington D.C.
About the Superintendent of the Year:
As a sponsor of the superintendent of the Year program, First Student wants to recognize these leaders in a special way this year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption that has affected all education systems but also the innovative approaches that the superintendents and school districts addressed through radio, television, zoom and take-home packages. These superintendents are the very best in public education and are needed more than ever during this crisis.
About the Award:
The superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, The School superintendents Association, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State level winners are selected on the following criteria:
- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement