ASCD Faculty Bio

Kwame Simmons

Kwame Simmons is a dynamic educator who uses an innovative approach to revolutionize urban education. He has dedicated his career to educating students in the urban centers of Detroit, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Washington, D.C. His enthusiasm and depth of knowledge regarding current research in school leadership, high-quality instruction, technology integration, and assessment makes him a rarity in education. Simmons has worked tirelessly within each of his roles as an educator to turn urban schools into national models of success. He has managed to do this while creating an atmosphere that is motivating and designed to raise student achievement.

Simmons demonstrates effective leadership through his unique ability to think outside the box and willingness to take risks to produce the best learning environment for school communities. While in St. Louis, his efforts led his school to receive several national awards, including Most Improved School of the Year. Simmons went on to transform a persistently low-performing school in Washington, D.C., into the city's first blended-learning school. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Simmons holds a Master of Education degree in educational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University; an Executive Master of Leadership degree from the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Hampton University. He has been recognized by the Washington Post and the U.S. Department of Education, and he received the 2015 BET Honors Award for Excellence in Education.