Lewis named outstanding principal

May 16, 2008 03:06 pm

— By Lisa Magers
cisd community services

Gerard Elementary School Principal Jay Lewis has been named the outstanding principal of the North Texas area by the Score a Goal in the Classroom Project.
Lewis will be presented with the Bayard H. Friedman Chesapeake Energy Hero Award Saturday evening during the Dallas Desperados game at the American Airlines Center.
“Mr. Lewis was among the nominees for this honor, and we found him to be superb in everything he does,” said Ernie Horn, executive director of Score a Goal in the Classroom. “He is a hero to his students and their parents, to his faculty and to the community.
“The Bayard H. Friedman Hero Award is our way or remembering a man who was a strong proponent of challenging students and educators to continually strive to raise the level of education and excellence in our communities. Jay Lewis does this every day as principal of Gerard Elementary.”
Lewis will also receive a $1,000 honorarium in appreciation of his contributions to the students of Cleburne.
Lewis was named principal of Gerard Elementary in 2003 and is in his 13th year as an educator. He began his career as a fifth grade teacher at Adams Elementary, where he later served as principal. He also spent one year as assistant principal at Cleburne High School.
“Mr. Lewis is definitely a hero at our campus, where his involvement reaches far beyond the walls of this great school,” said second-grade teacher Gina Wade. “He demonstrates the perfect balance between discipline and fun. Every morning, while sharing his ‘daily words of wisdom’ on the morning announcements, he always ends with, ‘Be kind; be responsible; and be the best you can be.’ I think these words reflect Jay Lewis, whose character is something all students can look up to.”
Lewis’ wife, Shauna, is a sixth-grade teacher at Smith Middle School. They have two children, John and Emma.
Lewis is very involved in the community, from Carnegie Players to United Way of Johnson County. He is also a member of Field Street Baptist Church, where he sings in the sanctuary choir and the “One Voice” ensemble.
He is the fourth CISD employee to be recognized with the Hero Award since its inception.
Other honorees included Alan Reed, retired director of the Cleburne High School Golden Pride Band, CHS agriculture science teacher Barney McClure and choir director Pam Elam.