Lanisha Simmons is the ELA Curriculum Manager for 7-12 at Cincinnati Public Schools. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended college at Ohio University. Go Bobcats! She has been in education for almost 10 years and has worked with and taught grades 7-12. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Integrated Language Arts Education Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is married and has one daughter.
Lanisha truly believes that knowledge is power and her mission is to empower students to use that power for change.This mission has provided the opportunity to many things during her years in education. During her time in education she has advised Mock Trial teams, coordinated Summer credit recovery. During her short time at Cincinnati Public, she has adopted and implemented a new curriculum for grades 7-12. She co-led the CPS TV project which was a way for students and families to engage in learning from the comfort of their homes during the pandemic and beyond. She has also co-led the launch of the CPS Distinguished Educator as a way to scaffold teachers in preparation for accelerating learning for ALL students. She has co-founded the “Justice in the Details Lunch and Learn” which provides a safe space for educators to discuss issues and solutions around racism and bias within the education system. Attendees leave with education, awareness and actionable next steps to work towards creating an anti-racist community. In the end, she understands that as educators, we have to create a safe space that provides all students with access to knowledge, along with the tools to empower them to be critical thinkers, with the ability to influence and be catalysts for change.
