I. Biography
K. Michael Lewis grew up in the cornfields of Central Illinois. During high school, his family moved to Michigan and later, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with Biology and Art minors from Central Michigan University. Mr. Lewis relocated to South Texas to teach Science in 1981. Eventually, he gained the opportunity to teach his favorite grade level, Kindergarten!

He returned to school to complete certifications for E.S.L. and Kindergarten, and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas Pan American in 1995. Soon afterwards, he began teaching Child Care and Development classes at South Texas College while continuing as a practicing kindergarten teacher.

A professional musician as well, music is his signature methodology. His educational music has been published and recorded by national and international children’s artists. With four albums of his own original children’s music, Mike Lewis has received numerous awards from A.S.C.A.P. and continues to perform as a musician in the group, Yellowhammer.

With twenty-four years of service in public school, his experiences are widely diverse from Kindergarten to Eighth grade, yet his successes are uniformly consistent. Mr. Lewis is the recipient of many teaching awards: U.S.D.A. Conservation Teacher of the Year 1986, NASA Honors teacher 1991, Milam Elementary Teacher of the Year 1996, Travis Middle School Teacher of the Year 2000, Rio Grande Valley Regional Elementary Science Teacher of the Year 2003. Last year, Lewis was honored by his university with the 2006 Who’s ’Who in American Universities award. He also was accepted to present his research, A Multi-Case Study of Teachers Leaders In Cross-Cultural Context in the Rio Grande Valley at the 2006 American Educational Research Association conference in San Francisco and was successful at writing a grant to cover half of his expenses for his travel.

Presently Mr. Lewis is in his second year as a Lecturer with the University of Texas Pan American and is pursuing doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. He enjoys interactive classrooms with his students and the collegiality of his colleagues at the university. Mr. Lewis looks forward to individual and collaborative research and completion of his doctoral degree.

II. Philosophy of Education
My philosophy of education has developed from decades of experiences as both a teacher and a learner. I firmly believe that individuals learn best through self–exploration and discovery processes and that teaching is most successfully achieved with a global, humanitarian perspective. I find that those dedicated to this profession tend to love knowledge, but acknowledge love as their "raizon de vivre".

Music has been a central theme throughout my life and naturally developed into a successful methodology as a teacher. If I teach it, there’s usually a song to go along with. From the Three Little Pigs Blues to A Matter of Time. My songs are an extension of myself that can be easily received. It is a gift that I utilize constantly in my life.

I also perceive Science and the Arts holistically, merging as ways humans explore and contribute to the known and unknown of each personal and collective universe. Yesterday I read in my student work that kids were like lasagna, they come in layers! Another described looking up at the stars into the moment of creation. Both these observations confirm our innate ability to think and wonder and create.

And make me truly appreciate this fantastic opportunity to be a learner among my students.