Lauren S. Simmons
Richmond
Summary
Education is my passion and life's work. I am committed to the advancement of all students especially students of color. I am gifted to engage students at all levels in the learning process. Although I am a highly accomplished, results-driven entrepreneur and leader with a proven track record of success in consulting, business operations, and instructional leadership, I remain grounded in the notion that our children deserve a chance and I'm here to create the opportunity. Thus, having the opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation of educators is the meaningful work I can commit to at this time.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of People, Marketing & Strategy
ALIGN Integrated Care LLC
Virginia
12.2025 - Current
- Directed marketing efforts to elevate brand visibility and engagement
- Developed strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals to drive growth
- Facilitated talent acquisition by sourcing and interviewing candidates.
- Established HR department, implementing hiring and onboarding practices to enhance recruitment process
- Managed payroll tasks to ensure timely employee compensation.
- Design employee charts tracking process
Chief of Business Operations
New Growth Behavioral Health
Virginia
02.2024 - Current
- Oversaw daily business operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
- Developed a 3-year strategic plan
- Produced support for structuring a call to action campaign with WWBT Channel 12 Richmond, increasing community awareness.
- Cultivated community relations, establishing partnerships that expanded service reach.
- Spearheaded marketing and branding initiatives to enhance company visibility and engagement.
- Created a successful branding campaign to promote the company and drive consumers into our services
- Developed and implemented professional development programs.
- Provided leadership coaching to enhance employee performance and engagement.
- Completed an RFP to sustain two of the company's services and were awarded.
Owner
PureVision LLC
Virginia
01.2021 - Current
- Developed business strategies that identified new opportunities, contributing to growth.
- Created branding strategies that enhanced company visibility and engagement.
- Provided consulting services in vision, strategic, and implementation planning.
- Delivered leadership development and training programs.
- Guided non-profits through filing and development, including board training.
- Served a diverse portfolio of clients.
- Developed and managed project schedules.
- Offered administrative support and team-building strategies.
- Conducted grant research that supported successful funding applications.
Volunteer Course Instructor
Revival Fire Outreach Center
Tappahannock
08.2025 - 09.2026
- Implemented innovative teaching techniques that increased student learning outcomes and engagement.
- Developed and implemented course curriculum to meet program objectives.
- Facilitated interactive learning sessions to enhance student participation.
- Conducted lectures, discussions, and assignments to facilitate student learning.
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations and feedback.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance curriculum effectiveness, resulting in improved student engagement.
- Promoted critical thinking skills through group work and problem solving activities.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Integrated technology into classroom instruction.
- Incorporated impactful course material and resources to enhance and facilitate learning.
Assistant Principal
Goochland High School
Goochland
06.2023 - 02.2024
- Oversaw instructional departments to improve teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
- Managed student discipline.
- Analyzed school-wide data.
- Revitalized PTSA activities to strengthen community engagement and support for school initiatives.
- Spearheaded fundraising initiatives
- Acted as community liaison with parents and organizations.
- Provided guidance to PTSA members on organizational matters.
- Coordinated transportation operations to ensure safe and efficient student commutes.
- Implemented employee morale activities.
ENG III Teacher/SPED & Junior Class Sponsor
Thomas Dale High School
Chester
08.2021 - 06.2023
- English III Teacher
- Backwards designing (Strategic planning) for student growth
- Wrote and conducted professional development on classroom management and student engagement.
- Instructional Leader and Coach
- Led fundraising initiatives for student activities, securing $26,000 in support.
- Facilitated fundraising efforts and served as community liaison.
- Coordinated community engagement events to strengthen relationships.
- Established partnership with Chick-fil-A to enhance Freshman Sneaker Ball experience.
- Collaborated with Enon Baptist Church for prom fundraising.
- Developed partnership with Project Discovered (formerly CapUp).
- Developed data collection system to track student tardiness
- Member of Superintendent's Advisory Council of Chesterfield.
- Built program for Summer School Now initiative.
English Teacher
Charlotte Mecklenburg School District
Charlotte
08.2013 - 06.2018
- Implemented blended learning approach to enhance engagement and learning outcomes for overaged students.
- Developed and monitored individualized career plans to support overaged students' academic and vocational goals.
- Coordinated comprehensive career and post-secondary plans to guide students in their transitions.
- Crafted a comprehensive discipline policy to ensure consistent student behavior management.
- Assisted in the formulation of an academic accountability policy for Edgenuity to enhance educational standards.
- Acted as the ENG School Leadership Team representative for MTSS initiatives.
- Liaised with community partners for Hawk Academy.
- Established collaborative space for virtual school principals.
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy - Educational Studies and Cultural Foundations
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC08-2026
Master of Science - Educational Leadership in Administration with emphasis on School Leadership
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN10-2018
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
Johnson C. Smith University
Charlotte, NC05-2013
Skills
- Marketing
- Branding
- Campaign Management
- Data Analysis
- Revenue Generation
- Strategic Planning
- Implementation Planning
- Project Management
- Business Operations Management
- Talent Acquisition
- Employee Relations
- Professional Development
- Training Programs
- Team Building
- Leadership Development
- Community Relations
Certification
North Carolina Licensure and VA/Certification, English (Grades 9-12), Principal (Grade K-12)
Supplemental Training
- PMEC, Project Management Essentials Certified
- MC-BNT, Business Network Training
- Grant Seeking Essentials Certificate
- University of Richmond Grant Writing Course, 10/01/24
- Grant Writer Certified Technical Writer HQ
Timeline
Director of People, Marketing & Strategy
ALIGN Integrated Care LLC
12.2025 - Current
Volunteer Course Instructor
Revival Fire Outreach Center
08.2025 - 09.2026
Chief of Business Operations
New Growth Behavioral Health
02.2024 - Current
Assistant Principal
Goochland High School
06.2023 - 02.2024
ENG III Teacher/SPED & Junior Class Sponsor
Thomas Dale High School
08.2021 - 06.2023
Owner
PureVision LLC
01.2021 - Current
English Teacher
Charlotte Mecklenburg School District
08.2013 - 06.2018
Doctorate of Philosophy - Educational Studies and Cultural Foundations
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Master of Science - Educational Leadership in Administration with emphasis on School Leadership
Capella University
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
Johnson C. Smith University