Dr. Deonia Simmons is a 1988 graduate of Denmark-Olar High School. Dr. Simmons earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. While enrolled at Voorhees College, Dr. Simmons majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He was inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society and also joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Dr. Simmons also served as Captain of the Men’s Basketball team for the 1989-1990 and 1990-1991 seasons. Dr. Simmons earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and his Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, which is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Simmons is currently enrolled at Luther Rice College and Seminary, where he hopes to earn a Master’s Degree in Divinity.
Dr. Simmons began his educational career in Nassau County, Florida. While employed in Nassau County, Dr. Simmons served as a science teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Middle School Principal. Dr. Simmons admits that one of the highlights of his professional career was leading his school to earning an “A” school designation from the Florida Department of Education for four consecutive years. It should be noted that, during his tenure in Nassau County, Dr. Simmons also coached football, boys and girls basketball, and track. After several successful experiences in Nassau County, Florida, Dr. Simmons relocated back to his native South Carolina to serve as Superintendent of Hampton County School District Two. In his first year as Superintendent, Dr. Simmons directed all strategic efforts and academic programs designed to substantively improve student academic performance among the District’s entire student population, which resulted in double-digit academic gains on standardized tests (PASS, HSAP) at Estill Elementary School and Estill High School. When his tenure as Superintendent in Hampton County School District Two ended, Dr. Simmons was hired to serve as the Director of the Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Under Dr. Simmons’ leadership, the school saw an approximately 40% increase in the number of student who completed various Career and Technology programs. Due to his varied educational experiences, Dr. Simmons was recruited by Atlantic Education Partners, a national educational consulting firm in Chicago, Illinois, to serve as a Senior Education Consultant. His primary responsibility was to provide leadership to the schools the organization served in Chicago, Illinois. He led the turnaround efforts in some of Chicago Public School’s lowest performing high schools.
