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When Susan Lewis was 9 years old, she made a decision that would affect her life in ways she never dreamed of. “I knew in 4th grade that I wanted to be a teacher. My 4th grade teacher was a quiet, strict, mannerly lady who handled a large group of exuberant children with class and dignity. She definitely made an impression on me,” recalls Lewis.

From that year on, she took mental notes on the great things teachers did to inspire students and keep them tuned into the lessons they planned, and the things she would never do if in charge of a classroom. Lewis has never had a doubt about her chosen profession.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Little did Lewis know that pursuing a career in teaching would eventually lead to state-level service on a committee reviewing the Texas public school accountability system and as president of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

Lewis has been teaching for 30 years, including the past 15 with the Northside Independent School District. The most rewarding aspect of teaching for Lewis is the interaction with students. "Each age has its own unique charms and approaches to learning," she says. "Kinders and firsts soak up the learning, while older students develop independence and maturity." And for Lewis, this is what makes each child, each day and each year an interesting challenge. She especially enjoys meeting a student at his or her starting place in math and watching as he or she grows to love or at least accept math as a lifelong skill.

Sharing her love of learning
Lewis finds reward in sharing her love of learning with others and seeing her students gain not only knowledge but confidence. "Nothing compares to the experience of watching a child demonstrate and retain what he or she has learned and call upon it again and again," says Lewis. "Each bit of knowledge empowers the child to continue to take steps toward building personal confidence," which she feels is so important today.

Lewis' teaching career began in the Slaton ISD where she taught 5th grade for eight years, before moving to Duncanville ISD where she taught 4th grade for six years and 2nd grade for one year. In 1994, she moved to San Antonio which she now calls "home." Lewis is a math specialist at Fisher Elementary School and teaches children from kindergarten to grade 5 who need extra attention. She loves the variety, which she says "fuels her motivation to come to work each day," and credits the new challenges she faces every school year with fulfilling her personal need to learn and grow. Lewis earned a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University and a master of education degree from Texas Tech University.

Her concerns for education
The most disappointing aspect of education for Lewis is the decline of respect for public schools. "The schools are dealing with more and more issues in the classroom, but the public and the media are always on the lookout for what is done incorrectly and bring that to the forefront," says Lewis. But her eternal optimism is evident as she adds, "My hope is that teachers keep doing what they do best, and some day everyone will acknowledge the power of teachers and the quality of education they provide. For now, we will be happy with the real reward – the thanks kids give when they are successful."

Another concern for Lewis is that many education laws are made by those who have no understanding of the school situation. Her solution: Either have the powers-that-be spend some quality time in all types of schools to take a better understanding to the legislative halls or include more educators in the lawmaking process. Certainly, Lewis has been part of the solution as she helped shape the future of accountability in Texas.

A seat at the table
In 2008, Lewis was appointed to the Select Committee on Public School Accountability by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and then-Speaker of the House of Representatives Tom Craddick. The only committee member actively teaching in a public school classroom, Lewis served alongside House Public Education Committee Chair Rep. Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands), Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) and numerous other public and private sector members. Created during the 2007 legislative session, the Select Committee performed a comprehensive review of the state accountability system, took public testimony in a series of hearings across the state, and made recommendations to the Texas Legislature on how the system should be improved and restructured. In 2009, the Legislature passed legislation revising the state’s accountability system (see pages 13-15 for detailed information), and implementation of the new system will begin in the 2011-12 school year.

According to Lewis, service on the Select Committee was an extraordinary lesson on how the government impacts the laws and policies in education, and clearly points out that the Legislature continues the government’s work even when it is not in session. She also took note of the "many players in this game we call government, both behind the scenes and at the forefront who are impacting the language of the law and the policies that arise from the law." While concluding that politics does impact education greatly, Lewis is convinced that teachers’ voices do make a difference and encourages teachers to make their concerns heard on issues that impact the profession.


The power of TCTA membership
Lewis joined TCTA and the Slaton local affiliate in 1979 through the recruitment of mentor teachers, particularly former TCTA District 17 Director and Executive Board member Jeanette Moore. "Slaton had (and still has) a strong chapter that made a difference locally and beyond," Lewis says "and the professionalism the affiliate members exhibited was the model I wanted to follow." Lewis' indoctrination involved serving in every office of the local chapter, attending state conventions as a delegate, and watching local leaders participate and represent teachers at the state level. "I always came away from the state conventions feeling empowered and knowing that teachers really did matter and were doing necessary work."

At the state level, Susan has served as chair of the TCTA Curriculum & Instruction committee (2004-2008) and Communications/Public Relations committee (2008-09); District 20 director for three years; and member of the ACT For TCTA committee. She has also held numerous offices in the Northside CTA, including president, scholarship committee chair, faculty representative, and CTA representative on the District Bond Election Planning committee and Broad Prize Professional Organization committee. She previously was a member of the Duncanville CTA.


For Lewis, the biggest change she's seen in TCTA over the years has been its technological advancement. She appreciates the information provided to educators at a moment's notice on the easily accessible TCTA website, and the professional development offered at convention that can be revisited and shared with local members through online professional development. "The foundation of TCTA is strong, and it has stayed true to it roots and its members, while continuing to use technology to stay relevant to 21st century educators," Lewis says. She thinks the key to TCTA's continued success lies in increasing the awareness of the value of TCTA membership and stresses that members should play a part in getting the word out about the great benefits and quality representation of TCTA.

Taking the reins
On June 1, 2009, Lewis took office as 2009-10 statewide president of the TCTA. In this position, she will guide TCTA's efforts as it works to enhance the teaching profession and provide a full array of services and advocacy to its 50,000 members. She also will take an active role in representing the Association at many key discussions and meetings, including the State Board for Educator Certification, State Board of Education and Teacher Retirement System.


As president, she looks forward to meeting with members and seeing and hearing about the dynamic things that TCTA affiliates are doing to promote educators locally. "My hope is that I can encourage and motivate teachers to get involved in government at any level since our future and our children’s future depends on it," Lewis says. Another goal for Lewis is to help teachers without a local chapter get organized at the local level, so they can impact education issues closer to the classrooms in which they teach.

On a personal note
Born in Lubbock, Lewis spent her formative years in Rule, a small farming community in Haskell County where she says she received an excellent education provided by teachers who were quality examples. Lewis’ grandfather was a teacher, coach and administrator, and her aunt taught first graders with an enthusiasm that Lewis found inspiring.


In her free time, Lewis enjoys cooking, photography, sewing, reading, music, home repair, travel, gardening, art museums, and keeping up with the activities of her two nieces and three nephews (when time allows). Lewis has also served as a volunteer for the Southwest School of Art and Craft.

Passion for the profession
While acknowledging that education has made it past the first mountain of accountability and NCLB laws, Lewis foresees another phase of public school accountability with changes at both the state and federal levels that will impact education in ways we never imagined. Still in the end it all comes back to teaching for Lewis, who says: "My hope is that teachers will always continue to do what is right for students in the classrooms, and that no law or policy will sabotage the passions teachers bring to the profession."

Posted: 07/02/09 ("The Classroom Teacher," summer 2009)