Dr. Kisha Tolbert Simmons

Dr. Kisha Tolbert Simmons serves as the director of the AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center housed on the beautiful campus of the historical Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University. She is primarily responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, evaluation and oversight of a broad range of programs & initiatives committed to offering high quality professional learning experiences for K-12 public school teachers and administrators in Alabama State Department of Education’s  inservice region 3.

Prior to joining the AAMU/UAH RIC, Dr. Kisha served as a national education consultant leading targeted support work for local, regional, and state education agencies across the U.S. in the areas of: educator growth and effectiveness, strategic planning & execution, and curriculum planning & instructional design.

Additionally, she has served as head of innovation & national school partnerships, project director of a $19.6 million dollar GEAR UP grant serving 3,300 students in Birmingham City Schools, a regional elementary math and science specialist, a state educator effectiveness specialist in the Division of Teaching and Learning for Alabama State Department of Education, an elementary and secondary instructional partner (coach), a reading coach, national virtual coach, adjunct professor, and multi-grade classroom teacher.  

One of Dr. Kisha’s favorite quotes is attributed to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “The function of education is to teach one how to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that’s the goal of true education."

Dr. Kisha serves on the board of directors for STAIR Birmingham, a nonprofit early literacy organization on a mission to improve reading skills and self-esteem of second grade students. She is also a state council member for ACT State Organization-- Alabama. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, master’s degree from Lesley University, education specialist degree from Liberty University and Doctor of Philosophy in education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction from Capella University. She is a proud 2007 National Board Certified Teacher; 2017 renewed. She’s an avid thought-walker, foodie, tech lover and Auburn fan-- #WarEagle!  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family & friends. 

Connect with Dr. Kisha on Twitter @KTSimmonsPhDMom