Ashley Simmons returned to her alma mater, Furman University, as Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future. A native of West Columbia, South Carolina, she earned her BA in Intercultural Youth Advocacy from Furman in 2009 and later completed a master's in education with a focus on Urban Education and Reform from Union University.

Over the past 16 years, Ashley has served as a teacher, mentor, instructional coach, dean, career and college readiness director, principal, and mentor principal, holding leadership roles in both founding and established schools. Throughout her education career she has spent 11 of her 16 years in formal leadership. Her experience spans curriculum design, professional development, instructional leadership, and school culture, always with a commitment to equity and student growth. She has also been recognized through selective programs such as the Memphis Teacher Residency, National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education and Relay Graduate School of Education’s national principal training program.

Ashley’s passion for education is rooted in her belief that every person deserves a first-class education and the opportunity to realize their fullest potential without any limits or barriers. Her favorite quote is from a poem "Our Deepest Fear" by Marianne Williamson that states, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but powerful beyond measure. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Returning to Furman, she is deeply committed to advancing the mission of Bridges to a Brighter Future and supporting students in discovering their strengths, pursuing their goals, and creating brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Honors and Awards

• Memphis Teacher Residency Founding Teacher Cohort (2010)
• National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education Fellow (2013)
• Leading Educators Fellow (2015)
• Relay GSE National Principal Academy Fellowship (2016)
• Gestalt's Community Core Value Award Recipient (2023)

Education

• B.A. Intercultural Youth Advocacy, Furman University
• M.Ed Urban Education Emphasis, Union University