We Don’t Do “Challenges,” We Do Growth (And A Little Drake)

What if a middle school could flip its story—from under-performer to high-achiever? We sit down with Dr. Damon Lewis, principal of Norwalk's Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy and National Middle School Principal of the Year, to unpack the deliberate moves behind his school's rise: mantras that drive action, systems that respect time, and core values that shape decisions, strengthen trust, and keep the work centered on kids and community.