Mr. Simmons' Reading by Design Class

I am thrilled to start the 2025-26 school year as a dyslexia teacher at Burnet Middle School. My focus as a teacher this year is to help students become better readers every day we enter the classroom. Reading and writing are two essential skills in life that will help you in everything you do. This is my sixth year at BMS and my third year teaching Reading by Design, an individualized literacy intervention designed for students who have dyslexia.

I graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in journalism and I absolutely love words and writing. I spent a couple of years as a sportswriter for newspapers after college and continue to freelance for newspapers and magazines from time to time. 

My wife Cheryl and I have four children. I am a huge Houston sports fan -- I grew up following the Astros, Rockets and Texans and spend way too much of my time looking at standings, schedules, stats and records. My children are all active in sports and other extracurricular activities and our family is ALWAYS on the go. I like fishing and playing slow-pitch softball in my free time as well. I've also developed an interest in baseball card collecting over the past couple of years with my sons.

I am looking forward to a great year.

The best way to contact me is via email at [email protected]. 

My daily schedule is below. 

8-8:50 First Period

8:55-9:45 Second Period

9:50-10:30 Bulldog Leadership

10:35-11:25 Third Period

11:25-11:55 Lunch

12-12:55 Fourth Period

1-1:50 Fifth Period (Planning Time)

1:55-2:45 Sixth Period

2:50-3:40 Seventh Period