By Anita Todd, Special Articles
LAKE WALES – In a unanimous vote, the Lake Wales Charter School Board of Trustees has selected Gregory Lewis as the new Bok Academy North principal.
Lewis, originally from Frostproof, has more than 20 years in the education system. He began his career as an educator in 2003 as a fourth-grade teacher at Polk Avenue Elementary. In 2007, he moved to Ridge Community High School in Haines City where he served as a dean for the next eight years. In 2015, he was promoted to one of the school’s assistant principals, the position he served in until this selection.
He said he looks forward to good things at Bok. “I’m extremely excited to be the Principal at Bok North. I am looking forward to the challenges of maintaining and then exceeding the high level of success that has already been established.”
After former principal Donna Drisdom retired, LWCS Human Resources put together a search team that, ultimately, recommended Lewis as its selection.
Lewis said his short-term goals for the school are to build a supportive and positive school climate among administration, teachers, staff, parents, and community; and to target primary areas of improvement.
He said he plans to focus on four long-term goals: Implement a strategic plan that will increase student engagement; promote innovative approaches to student learning; create and maintain a safe learning environment for student success; and prioritize initiatives, tasks, and objectives that are essential to meeting student learning outcomes.
At the meeting, Lewis said, “If anybody has any questions, I have an open door policy. Just stop by and see me.”
Lewis attended Morehead State University in Kentucky where he earned a bachelor’s degree. In 2007, he received a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
He and his wife, Teresa, have three children: Jasmine, Devyn and Kayla.
The LWCS Board of Trustee regular meeting was held July 24 at the Lake Wales High School.
