Success Stories

Simone Lewis is reminded every day how much that her education at Nova Southeastern University carries over into her classroom.

Lewis, Ed.D., graduated from NSU’s Abraham Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice in 2019 with a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership.

As a seventh-grade intensive reading teacher at Margate Middle School, Lewis works with students who are deficient in reading and have not passed the state standardized reading exam.

In the classroom, Lewis has been recognized by Broward County Schools for her use of Project Based Learning (PBL)–a strategy she first learned while a student at NSU. 

One such project began when Lewis’s students asked her about the effects on Floridians of harmful marine life, such as jellyfish and red algae. Instead of simply answering the students’ questions, Lewis led them in working together to research and explore the topic–blending science, art and history within the context of her reading class.

“I started learning about project based learning while I was a student at NSU, where we often worked together in teams,” Lewis said. “It stuck with me and I thought this is what I want to do in my classroom. I want to see how this affects reading.

“With project based learning, you’re working with others to come up with a solution or highlight your knowledge. I found it’s a unique way for educators to get students excited about learning. They are more engaged and working to find solutions to problems.”

Lewis cited this as one example of the NSU edge that she gained as a student. 

“I feel like I have that extra advantage…like I am one step ahead because I went to NSU,” she said. “Everything I learned at NSU has always been ahead of the game.” 

The first member of her family to earn a doctorate, Lewis cites NSU’s training, curriculum, small class sizes, and faculty with preparing her to advance in her education career.

A triple alumna of NSU, Lewis earned a M.S. degree at Fischler College in 2016 and a bachelor’s degree in 2010. She was already working fulltime as an assistant teacher and a teacher while earning her master’s and doctoral degrees at NSU.

“One of the reasons I continued with my M.S. and Ed.D. degrees at NSU was that I noticed that I had an advantage over incoming teachers. They were nervous because they didn’t know what their syllabus should look like, or what their Power Point should look like. I had learned all of these things at NSU.”

Now, she recommends the Fischler College to her colleagues or aspiring teachers.

 “The curriculum and their approach of having you work with others prepares you for the classroom setting. It helps you as an educator because you learn how to problem solve, and not just identify a problem.”

In addition to teaching, Simone published her first children’s book in 2016–The Adventures of Seth and Shadow, Super-Duper Student of the Week. The character is based on her 8-year-old son, Seth, who has autism.

Her long-term goal is to run her own school or academy that would specialize in helping children on the autism spectrum. She also would like to teach at the college level.

“I would love to work in a setting where I am nurturing other educators. For me, teaching is just a joy. It never feels like work to me. I knew this was what I wanted to do.”