Hoover hires new assistant school superintendent from Butler County

The Hoover school board has hired an administrator from Butler County to serve as an assistant superintendent for Hoover City Schools.

The board on Thursday approved Superintendent Kathy Murphy’s recommendation to hire Tera Simmons, director of student learning for the Butler County Board of Education, to replace Melody Greene, who is retiring May 31.

Simmons has been director of student learning in Butler County for two years. Before that, she served four years as K-12 curriculum director.

Simmons on Sunday said she applied for the job in Hoover because Hoover has a reputation for being one of the best school systems in Alabama and providing an excellent education for every child. She also admires the leadership style of Murphy, she said.

"It was a win-win situation," Simmons said. "I just consider it an honor to be able to join the Hoover team."

This will not be he first time Simmons has worked directly for Murphy. Murphy hired Simmons for her first teaching job at Greenville Middle School in 1997 and served as an assistant principal under Murphy for two years at Greenville High School.

Simmons started her career in education as a special education teacher. After eight years as a teacher, she served one year as an assistant principal at Greenville and W.O. Parmer elementary schools, then two years as an assistant principal at Greenville High School and two years as principal at Greenville Elementary before being promoted to the central office.

She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Auburn University of Montgomery in 1998, a master’s degree in education from Auburn University of Montgomery in 2000 and a doctorate in education from Regent University in 2006.

As director of student learning, she has: overseen curriculum and instruction for all grades; served as the pre-kindergarten director for the district; oversaw counselors, school nurses, media specialists, the data specialist, special services director, Americorp director, career tech director and homebound liaison.

She also: organized a summer curriculum project; oversaw the transition to a standards-based report card for kindergarten: implemented a leadership development curriculum for students in grades 9-10: organized a science, technology, engineering and math academy in grades 3-8; and successfully led the Butler County school district through AdvancED accreditation in 2015.

Simmons has been active in community organizations as well. She serves on the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College board of directors, Department of Human Resources Quality Assurance Review Committee, Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce board, Kiwanis Club of Greenville board, Relay for Life board and Learning Forward Alabama board.

She also has served on the L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital Board and Healthy Kids Advisory Board. She attended the University of Alabama Superintendents’ Academy in 2011 and was named the Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Alabama State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 2015.

Simmons is scheduled to start work in Hoover on June 13, with her salary set at $117,000, Murphy said. Simmons said she plans to live in Hoover and wants to become involved in community organizations in Hoover as well because she enjoys giving back to the community.

The Hoover school board also this past week approved a contract for Tina Hancock, who was hired as Hoover’s new chief school financial officer on May 17. Hancock also is set to start work on June 13 with a salary of $117,000, Murphy said.

This article was updated on 8:49 p.m. with comments from Simmons.