Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. David Lugo moved to Lehigh Valley, PA in 1996. He earned his Bachelor's in Secondary Education from Temple University, his Master’s from Lehigh University, and his Ph.D. from Temple University. Dr. Lugo spent six years as a high school social studies and Spanish teacher and three years as a supervisor of secondary education in Mercer County, NJ. He then spent four years as an assistant principal, senior project manager, and professional learning specialist in the School District of Philadelphia. Now joining the Norristown Area School District, Dr. Lugo is the Principal of Blockson Middle School.
Growing up, Dr. Lugo recalls his family telling him to
“always remember your roots.”
He recalled that he felt a pull between remembering his roots and concealing his identity in order to fit in. As he earned his undergraduate degree and spent more time in the city of Philadelphia, he started to really embrace his identity and culture. And now, “maintaining [his] heritage and [his] roots is almost primal” in the sense that it is something he always wants to remember and put first.
Dr. Lugo is grateful for the “powerful connection” he feels to his students and their families through their shared experience of being Hispanic or Latino. So far, being a Hispanic leader in the school district has impacted Dr. Lugo’s experience in some amazing ways. It has helped “bridge the cultural divide where [students] have someone to talk to and when parents come in, there is a sense of comfort and kinship.” As a new leader in the district, he hopes that he can inspire students to visualize ways of being successful as a Hispanic or Latino leader.
Dr. Lugo and his family celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through food and music. Food has always been a significant part of many cultures. Specifically for Dr. Lugo, he thinks about “all of the time it takes and the happiness and joy” it brings. Some of the Puerto Rician foods Dr. Lugo and his family make are pernil (roasted pork), mofongo (mashed plantains), empanadillas de queso, and more! Dr. Lugo shared about how he would often record his mother when she was cooking because despite having all of the ingredients laid out, she would often add things not in the original recipe.
Getting to know people and being kind to others is how the larger NASD community can help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. It is important to celebrate the differences in our community not just during Hispanic Heritage Month, but always. Dr. Lugo added that
“representation absolutely matters.”
He hopes that students are able to see themselves be successful and that they can accomplish the goals they set for themselves.