Dr. Tawauna Stewart, principal of Rogers-Herr Middle School, has been named 2026-2027 DPS Principal of the Year.

Dr. Stewart believes in shared leadership not silos, building a culture of trust, and compassionate accountability. At Rogers-Herr, Stewart uses a “Great 8” framework to align every facet of the school’s instructional programming; professional learning communities (PLCs), data driven instruction, professional development, whole child support, family engagement, and school culture under one coherent operational structure.

“Rather than allowing programs to run in silos, the Great 8 gives our entire staff a shared language and a clear set of expectations for high-quality teaching and learning. It ensures that our daily classroom practices consistently challenge scholars intellectually while meeting them at their individual skill levels,” said Dr. Stewart.

Under Dr. Stewart’s leadership, Rogers-Herr has remained one of Durham Public Schools’ highest performing middle schools, said Dr. Anthony Lewis, Superintendent, who also notes that 98% of respondents to the Teacher Working Conditions survey identify Rogers-Herr as a good place to work and learn.

“These results reflect her ability to establish high expectations while fostering an environment where educators feel supported, valued, and empowered,” said Dr. Lewis. “Dr. Stewart represents the very best of school leadership: a commitment to excellence, an investment in people, and a belief in continuous improvement.”