Dr. Anthony S. Lewis

Dr. Anthony S. Lewis joined Durham Public Schools as Superintendent in August 2024. A seasoned educational leader, Dr. Lewis has dedicated his entire professional career to public education and is passionate about achievement for all students.

He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees in Special Education, along with a Certificate in Educational Leadership, all from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. He furthered his expertise by completing the Instructional Leadership Academy at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. His commitment to education led him to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Dr. Lewis began his educational career as a high school Special Education Teacher in Montgomery, Alabama. His dedication and talent saw him rise to become the principal of a high-poverty, high-performing elementary school, achieving remarkable results. His exceptional track record in Alabama caught the attention of the Kansas City, Missouri School District, where he served in key roles, including Principal, Director of Elementary Schools, and Assistant Superintendent. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in guiding the district towards full accreditation after nearly three decades.

In recognition of his leadership potential, Dr. Lewis was selected for and completed the American Association of School Administrators (AASA)/The School Superintendents Association’s Urban Superintendents Academy in partnership with Howard University in 2017.

In January 2018, Dr. Lewis was unanimously approved by the Lawrence Public Schools School Board to become the ninth and first Black Superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools. Lawrence Public Schools is the seventh-largest school district in the state, the second-largest employer in the city, and serves nearly 12,000 students, supported by a dedicated staff of 1,800 across 23 schools. During his tenure, the district crafted its first-ever Equity Policy, aiming to advance educational equity through systemic changes in school governance and resource allocation. In just five years, graduation rates increased across all subgroups: White: 82.9% to 90.4%; African American: 76.6% to 89.8%; American Indian/Alaska Native: 84.6% to 89.3%; Hispanic: 71.4% to 83.7%.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly appointed Dr. Lewis to the Kansas African American Affairs Commission in November 2019, where he helps develop strategies to address public policy concerns within the African American community and fosters partnerships with state agencies, corporations, and foundations. Additionally, he is actively involved in programs, grants, and research. In June 2020, Governor Laura Kelly appointed Dr. Lewis to the Commission on Racial Equity and Justice, tasking him with studying and addressing issues of racial equity and justice in Kansas, with a particular emphasis on law enforcement-community relations.

Dr. Lewis's outstanding leadership earned him recognition as one of the National School Public Relations Association's "Superintendents to Watch" in September 2020. This prestigious accolade acknowledges his dynamic and fast-paced leadership, effective communication, and innovative use of technology to engage and inform school communities.