Simmons named TSCA Administrator of the Year

(Sept. 11, 2009) – Lisa Simmons, principal of Rylander Elementary School, has been honored by the as Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA) as its 2009 Administrator of the Year. 

	Rylander Elementary principal Lisa Simmons (holding flowers) is congratulated by (left to right) Area Assistant Superintendent Patricia Paetow, Director, of Counseling and Psychological Services Anita Horton and Rylander counselor Barbara Ziegler. Rylander was named 2009 Administrator of the Year by the Texas School Counselor Association.

The award is based on an administrator’s commitment to support the school counselor and counseling program. According to Dr. Anita Horton, Katy ISD’s Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Simmons was one of the first administrators in the district to find a way to redirect responsibility for administering the TAKS from the counselor at her campus.  “She has encouraged and supported her counselor, allowing her to develop a campus-level counseling program that serves as a model for other schools, adhering to the true developmental guidance model,” Horton observes.

In addition, Simmon's support of school counseling has extended throughout the district.  Since Rylander’s counselor, Barbara Ziegler, is Katy ISD’s lead elementary counselor, Simmons has allowed Ziegler to visit other elementary campuses and meet weekly with new counselors who may need extra support.  She is seen as a leader among her principal peers and is an advocate for school counseling initiatives at the district level. 

Zeigler opened Rylander Elementary with Simmons five years ago. From the beginning, Ziegler says, “Lisa has been supportive of me and a strong school counseling program. Being the only counselor in a school with 1200 students and more than 90 staff members,” she observes, “communication is critical.  One of Lisa’s greatest strengths is her willingness to listen and simply ‘be there’ for the students, teachers, and parents.”

“Because she believes whole-heartedly in an open door policy,” Ziegler explains, “the staff feels comfortable knocking on her door at any time to address concerns or issues. There is a mutual respect for each other because we value each other as professionals. This innate ability to empower people extends to our faculty and staff, contributing to a positive school climate all over Rylander.”

Simmons holds a B.A. in elementary education and an M.A. in early childhood from Southern Methodist University. She earned her mid-management certificate from North Texas State University. She began her as a second grade teacher at Pease Elementary in Dallas ISD, and was as an assistant principal at Brashear Early Childhood Center and Casa View Elementary in DISD. She came to Katy in 1991 as assistant principal at Memorial Parkway Elementary. She also served as principal of MPE from 1996-2004 before opening Rylander.