2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 10
BY SENATOR PETERSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. on more than twenty-five years spent in public
education as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent.
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis is a native of Violet, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis' grandfather told him at an early age that school was his job
and he has taken that job seriously ever since; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis began teaching at eight years old; his students were his
cousins, his curriculum was the worksheets his aunt brought home, and his chalkboard was
the wall; and
WHEREAS, while attending St. Bernard High School, he tutored students during the
summer and later graduated as salutatorian; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis earned a bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics
education from Southern University at New Orleans, a MEd in educational leadership and
administration from the University of New Orleans, and a PhD in educational leadership and
administration from Mississippi State University, all before the age of thirty; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, Dr. Lewis began his career as a professional educator as a
teacher and for the next seven years he worked in the St. Bernard Parish Public Schools; in
addition he served for eleven years on the St. Bernard Parish Public School Board; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Dr. Lewis left the St. Bernard school system to serve in a
variety of roles for the Algiers Charter Schools Association, the first charter management
organization to open after Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis served as their director of academics and instructional
technology, the assistant principal for Alice Harte Elementary Charter School, and as a
founding principal of Algiers Technology Academy charter school; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Dr. Lewis was appointed superintendent for East Feliciana
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Parish school system; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure with East Feliciana Parish school system and as a
result of his four-year strategic plan and leadership, he raised the bar for classroom teaching
and evaluation, and made significant gains among low-income students; and
WHEREAS, as a result, East Feliciana Public Schools were recognized by the
Louisiana Department of Education as second in the state for elementary student academic
growth; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, at age forty, Dr. Lewis began his tenure as one of New Orleans
schools' youngest superintendents in its nearly one hundred ninety year history; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis has been at the helm of New Orleans Public Schools for over
six years, leading the historic 2018 unification of public schools in New Orleans under local
control, the establishment of the district as a supporter of the local school community while
holding each operator to high education standards, and celebrating through it all, the
achievement of its teachers, support staff, and students; and
WHEREAS, under Lewis' leadership, the district's awards to disadvantaged business
enterprises increased, its minimum wage for food service employees rose to fifteen dollars
per hour, and its graduation rates increased; and
WHEREAS, also under Lewis' leadership, in 2019 the school district was able to
procure a commitment of five million dollars for technology at the start of the pandemic,
helping schools deliver thousands of laptops and hot spots to New Orleans families; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis brought all his experiences to bear building partnership, using
data to drive decisions, and overseeing New Orleans Public Schools during unprecedented
times; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis is the longest serving African-American Superintendent in
New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis has received many accolades, including being named a
"Chiefs for Change" inductee in 2018 as well as a "Distinguished Board Member" from the
Louisiana School Boards Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis is a member of the Council of Great City Schools, the
Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and
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WHEREAS, throughout his tenure as an educator, Dr. Lewis has not wavered from
his mission as a protector of family and students' rights and a thoughtful steward of public
resources; and
WHEREAS, throughout Lewis' illustrious career, he has served as a superintendent,
a school board member, an academic's director, a school principal, an assistant principal, a
teacher, a mentor, an instructional coach, and a curriculum expert; and
WHEREAS, an educator is one who helps others and influences lives forever and
educating our kids to become intelligent citizens is one of life's most esteemed callings; Dr.
Lewis has helped and influenced an entire generation of Louisiana students and made the
state a much better place due to his efforts both in and outside of the classroom.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. on a distinguished career spanning more
than twenty-five years in public education as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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