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Listen "27: Pressure Is a Privilege: A Conversation with This Year's National Middle School Principal of the Year"
Episode Synopsis
Host: John Hendron. Guest: Dr. Damon Christopher Lewis, Principal, Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Norwalk, CT
In this episode, we talk with Damon Lewis, 2025 NASSP Principal of the Year, about his leadership journey and the transformative work happening at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy. Damon shares how his school’s commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) weaves through every discipline, empowering students—many from marginalized backgrounds—to thrive academically and personally.
From implementing project-based learning (PBL) to building a culture of continuous improvement, Damon discusses how his team is redefining success through innovation and community engagement. He also opens up about mentoring new principals, fostering culturally competent teaching, and sustaining balance in a high-pressure leadership role.
Themes explored in this episode include:
Redefining middle school through a STEAM lensContinuous improvement as the single district initiativeThe role of mentorship and collaboration among principalsStrategies for reducing chronic absenteeismBuilding strong relationships with Latinx families and the broader communityLeadership mantras: “Pressure is a privilege,” “Be where your feet are,” and “Progress, not perfection.”
Our favorite quote: “Hope and faith are not strategies. You have to develop a clear plan of action based on data.”
To learn more about our national CTSO, visit educatorsrising.org.
In this episode, we talk with Damon Lewis, 2025 NASSP Principal of the Year, about his leadership journey and the transformative work happening at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy. Damon shares how his school’s commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) weaves through every discipline, empowering students—many from marginalized backgrounds—to thrive academically and personally.
From implementing project-based learning (PBL) to building a culture of continuous improvement, Damon discusses how his team is redefining success through innovation and community engagement. He also opens up about mentoring new principals, fostering culturally competent teaching, and sustaining balance in a high-pressure leadership role.
Themes explored in this episode include:
Redefining middle school through a STEAM lensContinuous improvement as the single district initiativeThe role of mentorship and collaboration among principalsStrategies for reducing chronic absenteeismBuilding strong relationships with Latinx families and the broader communityLeadership mantras: “Pressure is a privilege,” “Be where your feet are,” and “Progress, not perfection.”
Our favorite quote: “Hope and faith are not strategies. You have to develop a clear plan of action based on data.”
To learn more about our national CTSO, visit educatorsrising.org.
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