Dr. Crawford Lewis Lives His Dream Everyday As Dekalb Superintendent
I’m living my dream!”
That is how Dr. Crawford Lewis, Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools, describes his 28 year career in the education field.
From his modest beginnings as a Monticello youth, Dr. Lewis channeled his talents and persevered to obtain the highest administrative position in the second largest school district in Georgia.
Dr. Lewis currently supervises 103,000 students and 15,000 employees throughout 144 schools while overseeing an annual budget of $770 million. The Dekalb County district ranks 32nd in size across the nation. The population of the district encompasses 170 countries of origin and 144 languages, a demographic Dr. Lewis feels labels it as the most diverse district in the state.
The young administrator, by many counts, knew relatively early in life what career path he wanted to follow and did so without any hesitation. While studying at Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Lewis knew that being an educator was in his future. By age 21 he had envisioned himself as a principal and eventual superintendent.
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After graduating with a bachelors degree from Clark College in 1977, Dr. Lewis began to map out the next decade of his life and career with his wife, Sandra. At that point the couple, together now 25 years, decided that his pursuit of higher education should begin while youth was still on their side—so to speak.
So for the next 13 years the Monticello native embarked on an educational experience that took him from Mr. to Dr. The superintendent is very proud of the fact that during the period from 1977 to 1990 he never missed a month of working on advanced degrees in addition to beginning his career as an educator and rising through the administrative ranks.
While earning his masters and doctorate degrees from Georgia State University, Dr. Lewis began his teaching career at Montgomery Elementary School in the Dekalb County School District. Three years later he had obtained an assistant principal position in the same district and three years following that he was promoted to principal, a capacity Dr. Lewis served in for 13 years.
On October 8, 2004, Dr. Lewis was named Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools following eight years of service as a county-wide administrator.
His ascension to the top administrative position included many accolades along the way. Although he doesn’t like to boast about his honors earned over the years, there are a few more than worth mentioning.
Dr. Lewis has earned the Milken Foundation National Educator Award, been named a Dekalb County Principal of the Year and received the Georgia State University Distinguished Alumni Award.
What the proud superintendent will share is the fact that he has spent his entire career working in the Dekalb County School System, an uncommon occurrence for a 28-year career. He values all the friendships forged along the way, notably that of his secretary and friend of 16 years, Jan Eberhart.
For all that Dr. Lewis has accomplished in his career he hasn’t forgotten where and how life all began for him—as a young boy simply known as Crawford in Monticello, Georgia.
“Growing up in Monticello has a great deal with being where I am today as Dekalb County School Superintendent.”
Born and raised in a rural town with a then population of less than 2,000, his parents always stressed school as a priority. His mother, Dorothy Pinkney, earned a high school diploma while his father, now deceased, only managed a sixth grade education, an unfortunate but not rare occurrence for that period.
Grades were important in his family and not having good marks was one of two ‘no-nos’ with the other being not having good behavior.
Beyond his parents, Dr. Lewis’ teachers had great expectations of him. In addition to making good grades, as a youth he excelled at sports becoming the captain of his high school football team under the tutelage of the late Lester Davis. As a Monticello Ace baseball player in the early 70s, he was also named captain under the coaching of Joe K. Davis, Sr.
The former high school standout, who began his teaching career as a physical education teacher, now finds joy in watching his son, Matt, play basketball as a sophomore for Clark Atlanta University. The family man also spends ample time with his daughter Denise, a University of Georgia journalism graduate.
Dr. Lewis revealed one of his childhood motivations as fear—fear of failure. He recalls watching others who were as talented or more so than himself not reach their full capacity, and that sparked him to be a true competitor.
Interestingly enough while the fear of failure was his motivation, Dr. Lewis is thankful for the failures he’s had along the way because they have taught him the importance of success.
“I’m thankful for God giving me the opportunity I have. It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve gained so much confidence over the years.”
Confidence that’s absolutely needed to make the decisions that must be made daily as a school superintendent.And while being at the top of the food chain most definitely has its benefits—it also has its drawbacks.
When something unfortunate happens in one of his schools, believe that his phone is one of the first to ring. And when one considers all the decisions that must be made which undoubtedly will receive criticism either way it goes—his job is no picnic.
Recent weeks have proved a prime example when Lakeside High School principal Wayne Chelf was reassigned to another school in the Dekalb County district. The principal’s reassignment led to a plethora of parent inquiries and a student protest. As of last week, Mr. Chelf was reinstated as Lakeside principal.
So how is it that Dr. Lewis deals with situations such as that? By learning to listen to the real issues and deal with the negativity by remaining positive.
“Good leaders remain calm during others high peak,” said the superintendent.
Always pursuing the right thing and staying focused helps Monticello’s native son create his legacy on the job every day while truly living his dream.
