Lela Simmons has been a part of TeamIPS for the past four years, first serving as the Director of Secondary, supporting middle schools and high schools, and most recently, as Executive Director of Schools, supporting the K8 learning community.
Lela is passionate about all students achieving success in a welcoming and supportive environment. Her passion for urban education first began in 2003 when she began her teaching career as a seventh grade reading teacher with the School City of East Chicago. She then transitioned to the School City of Hammond as a Master Teacher in the TAP program and later, became Principal at Edison Elementary School, the School City of Hammond’s largest elementary school.
Lela is the first person in her family to go to college. She earned her Education Specialist degree from Indiana State University, her master’s degree in leadership from Calumet College of St. Joseph and her bachelor’s degrees in education and psychology from Valparaiso University.