Mr. Simmons' Academic Workshop/Reading by Design Class

I am thrilled to start the 2023-24 school year as a reading interventionist 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. The feeling of accomplishment our students feel when they look back at the progress they've made in reading from August to May inspires me to do what I do daily.

This is my fourth year at BMS and sixth year in education. I've taught Academic Workshop for three years and am excited to start teaching Reading by Design this year as well. 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. 

8-8:52 p.m. First Period -- Academic Workshop

8:57-9:49 a.m. Second Period -- Reading by Design

9:54-10:24 a.m. Homeroom

10:29-11:21 a.m. Third Period -- Academic Workshop

11:21-11:51 a.m. Sixth Grade Lunch 

11:56 a.m.-12:48 p.m. Fourth Period -- Reading By Design

12:53-1:45 p.m. Conference

1:50-2:42 p.m. Sixth Period -- Academic Workshop

2:47-3:40 p.m. Seventh Period -- Reading by Design