A taunt from an opposing middle school basketball team catalyzed Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, superintendent of Diamond Lake 76 District in Illinois. Like any competitive athlete, they sought an edge over her West Oak Middle School Wildcats.
The opposing team saw the school had suffered from deferred maintenance and called them “West Broke.”
Sharma-Lewis had enough. Recognizing the need to showcase the potential of Diamond Lake 76, she began a mission to elevate the district’s standing.
“We deserved more. We deserve to sparkle like diamonds,” said Sharma-Lewis. “It wasn’t right, it wasn’t safe, and we needed to make them proud of where they spend seven to eight hours a day.”
She believed they needed taxpayer support to “put some polish” on aging facilities.
A robust social media campaign drove the successful passage of the 2017 referendum and marked a pivotal moment in the district’s transformation. Sharma-Lewis fueled her leadership by navigating challenges from previous roles to serve a diverse population with socio-economic disparities.
Central to her approach is treating people with kindness and ensuring they feel valued and safe. Recognizing the pivotal role of educators’ well-being in student success, she prioritized building a supportive culture for adults and fostering empowerment for students, families, and staff.
Community engagement, driven by Sharma-Lewis’s adept use of social media with the hashtag #SparkleOn, celebrated diversity and inclusivity, cementing the district’s brand.
Inspired by Sharma-Lewis’s authenticity, students often remark on her distinctive style, with sequins or glitter highlighting her district’s brand and personal flair.
“They will say you’re always so sparkly,” she said. “I love this: the girls look for role models and a realistic role model. It’s somebody they see every day who has a normal, typical job. It’s relatable.”
One student even selected Sharma-Lewis to emulate on “Dress Like Your Future Career Day,” the superintendent recalled while laughing.
“That’s the best compliment,” she said.
Sharma-Lewis emphasized the importance of belonging, safety, and love as a North Star of her superintendency. Belonging. Safety. Love. BSL: Bhavna Sharma-Lewis. The thread that connects her leadership to her effectiveness is prioritizing human connection amidst adversity, reflecting who she is as an educator.
Sharma-Lewis offers actionable insights for school leaders, emphasizing the importance of consistency and authenticity in leadership branding.
“Figure out what your leadership style is,” she advised. “Then, stay true to that brand, telling that story repeatedly and not deviating from the brand.”
Under Sharma-Lewis’s stewardship, the Diamond Lake 76 District underwent a remarkable transformation, reflecting a commitment to excellence in every aspect.
“Everything’s clean, everything’s new, it’s fresh,” she said. “We have flowerpots; we have amazing landscaping outside. I mean, it’s a beautiful place. So I think that they are proud of that.”
The pride also shows in the smiles of her West Oak Middle School Wildcats, who proudly hoisted a trophy as the 2024 basketball conference champions.
You can follow Dr. Sharma-Lewis’s #SparkleOn story on Twitter.
