Teacher/Women’s Basketball Coach at Smoky Mountain High School for 25 years.

Education: BS and MA, both in Education, Western Carolina University; also working on an Administrative Degree at WCU

Family: Husband Si Simmons; son Jackson Brett Simmons, 14, a freshman at Smoky Mountain High School.

We Asked:
1: How did you become interested in your profession and what brought you to your current job?
2: What do you like most about your job?
3: What do you like least about your job?
4: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
5: What is your favorite leisure time activity?
6: What is the last book you’ve read/movie you’ve seen/music you’ve heard that inspired you?
7: Tell us about a person or organization in Jackson County whose work you admire?
8: What keeps you living in Jackson County?
9: Where is your favorite place in Jackson County?
10: What is your hope for the future of Jackson County?

1: The influence athletics has had on my life has been tremendous. It has opened so many doors for me. It is what led me to my career, one that enables me to continue my involvement in athletics and be in a position to work with young people. I am no stranger to competition. My father was a coach so I grew up in a gym. In high school, sports gave me a focus, direction, helped me set goals, instilled confidence and discipline, and helped me learn to deal with the ups and downs of competition. Basketball paid for and provided me with a college education. I had just completed my masters at Western Carolina University when the teaching/coaching job at Sylva-Webster (now Smoky Mountain) came open. I applied and got the job.

2: I am glad for the relationships I have been able to establish in my profession. I believe relationships provide the framework for what we are about as teachers and coaches. We can learn a lot from our young people if we just listen and get to know them. Trust and communication have to exist in order to be successful and strive toward our shared goals. Another joy of my profession is when our young people transfer things from the court to the real world. When I have the opportunity to reflect on the life skills gained from participation in athletics I wonder how anyone could ever question the value of high school athletics. In spite of the many challenges of our profession we must never lose sight of what is really important.

3: Paper work. It is challenging at times to balance leadership and management tasks. I would rather be involved with my players and on the court.

4: 1. Keep the players at the heart of every decision. 2. Embrace the challenges you face. Make them opportunities. 3. Enjoy the journey! 4. Keep faith, family and friends closest to your heart.

5: Spending time with family, reading, fishing and I love the outdoors, I share my mothers love for cooking and canning. I put up a quite tasty spaghetti sauce.

6: Leading with the Heart by Mike Krzyzewski and The Five Love Languages series of books by Gary Chapman.

7: Jeff Carpenter and the Jackson County Recreation Department. They are tireless in their efforts to provide opportunities for the people of our community, especially the youth. They touch and influence so many lives.

8: It’s home and a great environment to raise a child. I attended Western Carolina University from 1978-82 and this has been home ever since.

9: The Old Courthouse.

10: We must continue to focus on the youth of our county. They are our future leaders.