Following Dr. Sandy Strayer’s last day as Henry County Public Schools Superintendent on June 30, Dr. Amy Blake-Lewis will take over the role, starting in her new position on July 1.
Blake-Lewis, 50, said she decided to take the position as she saw it as the next step in her career.
“I have been a career educator for more than 20 years in the profession, and I’ve basically spent my career learning and growing in the profession. I feel that the pathway to the superintendency is a journey, and you spend time learning the roles along the way, and this was my next step,” she said.
Blake-Lewis started her education career as a teacher and has served as a curriculum coach, assistant principal, principal, and consultant. She most recently served as Deputy Superintendent with Stanley County Public Schools in North Carolina.
In talking with the Henry County School Board, she said she felt a strong connection with the board’s vision.
“Their values align with my values in what I look for in a public education for students, and I felt very strongly that it would be a very positive partnership, and that we can do some great things for students together,” she said.
In looking at the school system, Blake-Lewis said she knows there are some building projects like construction and remodeling, the division has planned.
“I want to be sure to jump in with the board and take a look at those needs,” she said.
As superintendent, Blake-Lewis said she and the division will prioritize student growth and progress.
“I want to make sure that our systems and processes with the curriculum are aligned with what we know to be best practices that will promote that high student growth and student achievement,” she said.
Once she gets settled into the new role and is able to meet with principals and community stakeholders, Blake-Lewis hopes they can develop some other goals together.
A strong believer in collaborative leadership, Blake-Lewis said it’s not just about what she wants to see happen, but what the community and the stakeholders want to see.
“I want to make sure that I spend some time meeting with principals, and assistant principals, and hearing from them to find out from them what have been your concerns, what are you most proud of, what are some things that you would like to see some change in, and kind of get their perspective on that,” she said.
Blake-Lewis wishes to connect with the community, and for the community to get to know her “so we can work together and do some great things for students.”
She also believes that students always come first, even if some adults might not be comfortable.
“At the end of the day, if I know the decisions I’ve made and the programs and processes I’ve put in place are those that put children first, then that’s a winning combination for me,” she said.
Blake-Lewis graduated with a B.A. in middle grades education from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Pembroke, an M.A. in school administration from Fayetteville State University, and a Ph.D. from Wingate University.
She was also a North Carolina Principal Fellow and has an education specialist degree.
Blake-Lewis started her education career as a classroom teacher teaching fifth grade before she spent the bulk of her career in middle school education teaching language arts and social studies. She has served as a principal of a K-8 school and a high school.
She is married to her husband, John, an attorney in Concord, N.C. She has nine nieces and nephews. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, riding horses, and being outdoors.
