This school year, Mr. Kaiden Lewis, strength and conditioning coach, has been promoted to Dean of Students. Mr. Lewis is stepping into this leadership role to support and guide students, taking on responsibilities that go beyond the gym, and helping to shape the school environment in new ways.
“Mr. Lewis cares deeply about the well-being of his students. He’s consistent, firm, and has professional qualities that make him the right choice for this position,” Mr. Jeffery Berry, director of student activities said.
As Dean of Students, Mr. Lewis will be focusing on maintaining, disciplining, and supervising the school. His responsibilities include overseeing student behavior, leading the Edgenuity department, managing issues like enforcement of the new cell phone policy and vaping, and assisting with SOL testing. In this role, he will also be learning the skills and responsibilities necessary for becoming an assistant principal. His goal is to create a positive and productive atmosphere where all students can thrive.
“One big difference between this role and being a coach is I can have more one-on-one conversations with students. In the class setting, you have the responsibility of the whole class. But now I can talk to students, one on one, to build a relationship and really hear their side of a situation,” Lewis said.
Mr. Lewis’s leadership style has always been about more than just physical training. He focuses on building a positive and motivating environment. This is not only seen in settings with his students, but also with his coworkers, as he hosts the Crossfit Club for the teachers here.
“What separates him from other leaders is his vision. His vision of higher-level fitness combined with functional movement and how it fits into one’s life and skill set is one of a kind,” Mrs. Megan Struder said.
During the spring of 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Lewis launched a CrossFit club for teachers.
Despite the challenges, he kept the program going strong, creating a community of teachers who not only improved their fitness but also found support. Mr. Lewis stepped up and gave the teachers something to keep them motivated during a difficult time. His innovative approach, positive energy, and ability to motivate others has made a lasting impact.
“What separates him from other leaders is his vision. His vision of higher-level fitness combined with functional movement and how it fits into one’s life and skill set is one of a kind,” Mrs. Megan Struder, English teacher participating in the crossfit club said.
“He is a transformational leader as his athletes set goals and find a sense of purpose. He is adaptive as he anticipates and identifies possible challenges that need to be addressed so his participants can be successful,” she added.
“Coach Lewis’ passion shines through when he coaches us; he gets so excited when he has a hard workout for us. He gets so proud to see our improvement and that’s what makes him so great,” Mrs. Watterson, another teacher participating in crossfit.
In his first 90 days as Dean, Mr. Lewis plans to focus on issues like cell phone use and student discipline, with the ultimate goal of reducing these challenges as students adjust to the new expectations. By addressing these issues early on, he hopes to create a more focused learning environment where students can excel.
Mr. Lewis’s vision and commitment to the school community make him a great choice for Dean of Students. His overarching goal is to help every person become the best version of themselves. His experience as a coach, combined with his ability to connect with and inspire students, will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the school.
