Her Story
About Virginia
Virginia Simmons is a distinguished educator and teacher trainer with more than six decades of experience spanning special education, gifted education, English language instruction, educational administration, and international education. She holds two doctorates, including degrees in Special Education and Education Administration, along with four master’s degrees in special education and a TESOL certification. Her career has included teaching and leadership roles in the United States and internationally, including work with gifted and special education programs in Ecuador, Guatemala, and Russia.
Throughout her career, Virginia has championed inclusive and individualized approaches to education. Her work emphasizes understanding how students learn differently and using strategies such as Multiple Intelligence Theory, Universal Design for Learning, and appropriate technology to support diverse learners. She has also trained educators internationally and has contributed to programs focused on English language learning, teacher development, and inclusion. Her commitment to students with diverse abilities extends beyond the classroom through her involvement with a charter school initiative serving hearing-impaired students, where inclusive communication and sign language are central to the educational environment.
Virginia's international career has also centered on cultural exchange and relationship-building. As president of the Russia-West Virginia Foundation, she has helped facilitate more than 400 educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Russia. Her professional journey has taken her from education into real estate, where she has worked as a real estate broker since 2000, demonstrating her adaptability and continued interest in serving communities. Today, Virginia remains committed to education, teacher training, international experiences, and creating opportunities for learners and educators to recognize and develop their full potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Virginia
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from my husband, who encouraged me to pursue a doctorate rather than another master’s degree. He believed in my abilities and reminded me that I was capable of achieving more than I realized.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to understand that every student learns differently. Focus on the individual child rather than simply following a textbook or curriculum, and use approaches such as Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Universal Design for Learning to develop analysis, critical thinking, and effective technology use.
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