Debbie Simmons
Debbie Simmons is a seasoned early childhood education leader with over 20 years of experience supporting young children and families across diverse communities. She currently serves as a Director for a Head Start program in Hendersonville, North Carolina, providing leadership to a campus serving children ages birth to five and their families.
In her role, Debbie oversees program operations and leads multidisciplinary teams, supporting staff development, community partnerships, and access to comprehensive services, including medical, dental, and mental health supports, while ensuring alignment with federal Head Start standards and state licensing requirements. Her leadership emphasizes trauma-informed care, individualized coaching, and practical, relationship-based strategies for supporting children with developmental and behavioral challenges.
Debbie’s career reflects a long-standing commitment to community-centered early education. Prior to her current role, she served as a Head Start center director in Kentucky and previously owned and operated a childcare and preschool program in Colorado for nearly a decade. Her programs blended strong academic foundations with enrichment opportunities such as language, movement, and the arts while fostering meaningful family engagement through volunteer partnerships and community collaboration.
This blend of hands-on practice and leadership experience has shaped Debbie’s approach to transforming theory and training into actionable strategies that work in real classrooms and caregiving environments.
Debbie holds a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Cumberlands and is completing a Master of Education in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She also holds multiple certifications in the Positive Parenting Program Triple P, including Level 4 Group and the Positive Early Childhood Educators PECE program, and has completed Conscious Discipline training, which further strengthens her trauma-informed and relationship-centered approach to behavior support.
Recognized for her thoughtful, inclusive leadership, Debbie is the co-founder of Beyond Time Outs, where she continues to champion individualized, culturally responsive, and evidence-based practices that support children, families, and the adults who guide them.
• PECE certification
• Triple P level 4 certified
• University of North Carolina Wilmington- M.Ed.
• University of the Cumberlands Graduate and Online
• NCLCCA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible people who have supported and challenged me throughout my journey, as well as to the resilience that I built through experience. I am deeply committed to applying knowledge through individualized coaching that transforms training and theoretical models into practical strategies that truly work in real classrooms and communities.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is, “Don’t get ready, stay ready.” I’ve also been guided by the belief that growth comes from leaning into difficult situations rather than turning away from them. Running toward challenges has shaped my leadership and strengthened my ability to support others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
. This work is challenging, but the most meaningful work often is. I encourage young women entering this field to cultivate tenacity, stay curious, and say yes to opportunities even when they feel unsure. Lead with empathy, love your work and the people you serve deeply, and also learn when to let go. Real impact comes from showing up fully while protecting your capacity to sustain the work for the long term.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is earning credibility while intentionally building connections with professionals who share a commitment to thoughtful, values-driven work. As the field evolves, collaboration, trust, and shared vision are essential for creating meaningful change for children, families, and educators.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, gratitude, and integrity. Faith grounds my purpose, gratitude keeps me centered and humble, and integrity guides how I lead, serve, and build relationships. These values shape my decisions and remind me to approach both life and leadership with intention and compassion.