Triad superintendent honored as ‘Superintendent of Distinction’

Triad Superintendent Leigh Lewis has been named the “Superintendent of Distinction” by her colleagues in the Southwestern Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA).

“I am honored to be the recipient of the IASA Superintendent of Distinction award” Lewis said.

Lewis was honored at an awards luncheon on April 21 in Springfield, with State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Smith, Ph.D., as the featured speaker.

Horace Mann, a national insurer focusing on education; the IASA; Illinois Principals Association (IPA); and Illinois State Board of Education co-sponsor the event, which honors many regional leaders on a statewide basis.

“District and school administrators carry out a variety of responsibilities each and every day,” Smith said. “Their commitment to going the extra mile to help students be successful learners inspires us all and we want to publicly thank them for their dedication.”

Lewis has been an educator for 28 years, serving as a teacher and administrator before becoming superintendent of the Triad district in 2007.

“I am proud to be part of a group of superintendents who are always willing to guide and support their fellow colleagues. The award is inspiration to keep learning and growing as an educational leader,” Lewis said.

Regional colleagues annually select their local “Superintendents of Distinction.”

“Public education is facing some of its most difficult times, and that is when leadership is most important. These ‘Superintendents of Distinction’ were selected by their peers in their regions because of the dedication, commitment and leadership that they have demonstrated,” IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark said.

Those nominating Lewis noted that she oversaw the construction process of three new K-5 elementary schools in 2008, including reconfiguration of grade level centers to neighborhood schools. In addition, Lewis initiated a $3 million renovation project at Triad Middle School.

Under her leadership, the district implemented a standards based grading and reporting system for all kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms. In 2015, Triad District voters passed a 50-cent education fund referendum, the first such increase in more than 50 years.

“Each year, educators face growing challenges, and this year is no exception. Despite those challenges, superintendents constantly find ways to make their school districts successful,” Horace Mann president and CEO Marita Zuraitis said. “We are proud to recognize the ‘Superintendents of Distinction’ and applaud their efforts to provide outstanding educational environments for their students and their teachers.”

Lewis achieved her bachelor of science degree in education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her master of science in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She received her specialist in education from St. Louis University. She is married and has three children.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Triad superintendent honored as ‘Superintendent of Distinction’."