Frederick J. Hewitt III, Ed.D.

DuPont Tyler Middle School
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Hermitage, Tennessee
Frederick.Hewitt@mnps.org

Upon assuming the executive principalship at DuPont Tyler Middle School seven years ago, Frederick Hewitt encountered a school that was struggling both academically and culturally. The disciplinary culture in place at the time disproportionately impacted racially and economically marginalized students, undermining their sense of trust and belonging. In the years since, Hewitt has led an impressive turnaround effort resulting in improved academic achievement, elevated student well-being, and a renewed commitment to equity. To steward academic recovery at DuPont Tyler, Hewitt implemented a comprehensive instructional leadership plan establishing clear and consistent strategies and systems for collective accountability. Thanks to his hands-on approach, the school exited Priority School status in 2023 and has earned multiple Level 5 ratings in ELA, math, science, and social studies under the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System. In 2023, the school earned distinction for having the second-highest statewide growth in achievement in ELA and numeracy. Simultaneously, Hewitt has facilitated healing at DuPont Tyler by embedding restorative practices in the school’s culture, shifting away from a default culture of punishment and toward inclusion, community, and repair. Under this new paradigm, students and staff have come to view mistakes as generative learning opportunities rather than grounds for exclusion. Hewitt holds an Ed.D. from Trevecca Nazarene University, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Excelsior College, and a B.A. in History from Ramapo College of New Jersey.