Emily Simmons
Christiansburg,VA
Summary
Dynamic education and consulting professional with a proven capacity to elevate student performance, achieving record graduation rates and increasing school census by over 50%. Leverage data-driven decision-making and collaborative strategies to implement effective practices, ensuring personalized support and sustainable outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Overview
1
1
Certification
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Education & Employment Consultant
REACH HIGHER CONSULTING
Southwest VA
01.2015 - Current
- 100% successful collaboration and coordination with families and multiple agencies including; DARS, psychiatric & medical services, community service boards, ABA practices, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, supported living centers, group homes, and any other identified supports to facilitate an individual's independence.
- Delivered services to individuals with disabilities and families to maximize independence by assessing needs, collecting data, and implementing person-centered planning.
- Tailored services to client needs, ensuring personalized support aligned with individual goals.
Assistant Principal
NEW STORY RIVERMONT SCHOOL
Roanoke SW, VA
01.2017 - 01.2025
- Provided leadership and supervision to over 30 staff members and 90 students, utilized a coaching model for staff development, managed data collection and analysis, implemented evidence-based practices, and oversaw daily operations of a private day school for students with disabilities.
- Planned and implemented professional development that improved student attendance and engagement, resulting in the highest number of students graduating with a VA Standard Diploma in the school's 20-year history.
- Increased school census by more than 50% between 2021 and 2025
- Implemented and maintained the school's transition program by partnering with stakeholders and ensuring students had opportunities that supported their interests and strengths for postsecondary training, employment, and education
- Supported significant school and staff transformations from 2021 to 2025 by facilitating necessary changes and fostering a positive environment.
- Retained accreditation and licensure for 8 years by preparing for VAISEF, Cognia, and the VA Department of Education reviews through evidence collection and continuous monitoring of standards
Instructional Specialist
ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Roanoke, VA
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Managed school's progress monitoring system, leading to a 10% increase in students reading on or above grade level in kindergarten through fifth grades as measured by Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.
- Facilitated 23 percentage points growth in Spring Reading Simulation scores across 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades from 2016 to 2017.
- Collaborated in district and school planning to enhance accreditation efforts by building teacher capacity, utilizing the coaching cycle to address student needs and improve academic and behavioral outcomes.
Educational Specialist, School Improvement
PEARSON INC.
, United States
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Coached literacy teachers in instructional strategies in a low performing Virginia elementary school which resulted in a 34% point overall increase on SOL Reading tests in 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades in first year of partnership.
- Achieved 20% increase in end-of-grade reading assessments at North Carolina elementary school through job-embedded coaching for leadership and teachers.
- Collaborated with state and school leaders to develop school performance plan emphasizing instructional leadership, professional learning communities, and classroom practices; coached school staff in implementing standards-aligned curriculum, high-yield instructional strategies, and assessments, ensuring active engagement.
Professional Developer
PEARSON INC.
, United States
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Facilitated participant-centered professional development sessions, bolstering teacher proficiency in instructional assessment, delivery, and planning.
- Achieved high participant engagement and content knowledge through training evaluations; created innovative virtual training opportunities to sustain interest and enhance learning.
- Developed and delivered training across urban and rural settings, in person and virtually, throughout the United States, enhancing overall performance across a wide range of topics.
Project Coordinator, Training and Technical Assistance Center
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE)
Radford, VA
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Led Virginia's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Reading Instruction, and Secondary Transition initiatives across regional, district, and school levels, fostering collaboration and alignment.
- Implemented district-wide positive behavior interventions and supports, aligning efforts with Virginia Department of Education goals to enhance educational outcomes.
- Collaborated with district and school teams on data collection, analysis, and planning to enhance graduation rates and school engagement for students with disabilities.
Education
Ed.S. - Educational Leadership, Teaching and Learning
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA01-2012
MS - Special Education (Concentration: High Incidence Disabilities: Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbances)
Radford University
Radford, VABS - Interdisciplinary Studies (Concentration: Social Sciences and Special Education)
Radford University
Radford, VASkills
- Team leadership
- Instructional design
- Change management
- Case management
- Data analysis
- Person-centered planning
- Program Evaluation
Certification
Administration and Supervision Pre K 12, Intellectual Disabilities K 12, Specific Learning Disabilities K 12, Emotional Disturbance K 12
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
- New Story Leadership Development Program, 2023
- Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent's New & Aspiring Leaders, 2017
- Virginia Department of Education's Aspiring Special Education Leader's Academy, 2009
Personal Information
Title: COMMITTED, MOTIVATED & HIGH-PERFORMING Professional
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ROANOKE VA; Special Education Teacher, Westside Elementary School 2016 - 2017
- PULASKI COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PULASKI, VA; Learning Specialist, Pulaski Middle School 2000 - 2005
- ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ROANOKE, VA; Special Education Teacher, Patrick Henry High School 1994 - 2000
NATIONAL PRESENTATION
- 19th Annual Council of Administrators of Special Education Conference, "Collecting and Interpreting Data for Functional Based Assessment, Designed to Inform Positive Behavior Supports" 2008
Timeline
Assistant Principal
NEW STORY RIVERMONT SCHOOL
01.2017 - 01.2025
Instructional Specialist
ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2016 - 01.2017
Education & Employment Consultant
REACH HIGHER CONSULTING
01.2015 - Current
Educational Specialist, School Improvement
PEARSON INC.
01.2010 - 01.2015
Professional Developer
PEARSON INC.
01.2010 - 01.2015
Project Coordinator, Training and Technical Assistance Center
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE)
01.2005 - 01.2010
Ed.S. - Educational Leadership, Teaching and Learning
Liberty University
MS - Special Education (Concentration: High Incidence Disabilities: Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbances)
Radford University
BS - Interdisciplinary Studies (Concentration: Social Sciences and Special Education)
Radford University