Carver is thrilled to celebrate Dr. Damon Lewis, principal of Norwalk’s Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, for being named one of just three national finalists for the 2025–26 NASSP Middle Level Principal of the Year—one of the most prestigious honors a middle school leader can receive in the United States.
A visionary educator and longtime champion of Carver’s afterschool and summer transition programs, Dr. Lewis has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure Ponus Ridge students are prepared academically and nurtured socially and emotionally. His leadership has fostered a strong partnership between Carver and Ponus Ridge, providing students with year-round enrichment, mentorship, and pathways to lifelong success.
The NASSP Middle Level Principal of the Year recognition, awarded by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors school leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student achievement, innovation in education, and creating inclusive, empowering school cultures. Each year, state-level honorees are reviewed by a panel of education leaders, and only three middle school principals nationwide are selected as finalists.
The winner will be announced this July during a national gala celebration, but for us, Dr. Lewis is already a shining example of what leadership can and should look like in education.
We are proud to join the entire Ponus Ridge community in cheering on Dr. Lewis—not only for this well-deserved recognition but also for the deep and lasting impact he continues to make on the lives of his students and the broader Norwalk community.
Congratulations, Dr. Lewis! Your dedication, excellence, and partnership mean the world to Carver—and even more to the children and families you serve daily.