From Erie Public Housing to Superintendent: The Damian Bounds Story

What does it look like when the community that raises you becomes the inspiration for the career you eventually build?On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, Erie native Damian Bounds returns to his roots—at least through conversation—to share an extraordinary journey from growing up in public housing in Erie, Pennsylvania, to becoming a major educational leader in one of the largest school systems in Georgia.Bounds has spoken openly about growing up surrounded by family and community in Erie public housing, where he says the experience provided him not only with lifelong relationships but also opportunities, jobs, and a scholarship that helped him attend college. Those experiences eventually fueled a passion for working with young people. Before climbing the ranks of school administration, Bounds spent years mentoring youth and coaching basketball through the Boys & Girls Club.His educational career eventually took him south, where he served in administrative positions in both the Cobb County and Fulton County school systems. He became an assistant principal at Centennial High School before being selected in 2016 to lead Lakeside High School in the DeKalb County School District. At the time of his appointment, district leadership described him as a leader focused on positive school culture, classroom instruction, and student learning.Bounds later returned to Fulton County Schools and was appointed principal of Elkins Pointe Middle School in 2019. Today, DeKalb County School District lists him among its senior school leaders as Secondary Area 1 Superintendent.Bounds sits down with the Woodards to talk about growing up in Erie, the influences that shaped him, his path into education, leadership, the responsibility of serving young people, and what parents, students, and teachers need to be thinking about as a new school year begins. The original episode itself centers on his Erie upbringing and practical back-to-school advice for families and educators.For young people who may look at where they live today and wonder how far life can take them, Damian Bounds’ story offers a pretty compelling answer.