Dr. Simmons retires after 30 years of teaching

By Sadie Jackson





Dr. Danis Simmons began her career as a guidance counselor at Tyrone Elementary on September 27, 1982.  After 30 years she is set to retire, leaving Mrs. Kim Eaken as the only elementary school counselor.





Simmons recalls her best memories as simply working with the children and the worst part was that the children were hurting and no one knew.  “Working with children is the most rewarding job you can have,” Simmons said.





As far as how the students will react, Simmons says that students are resilient.





Simmons graduated from Dubois Central Catholic High School, where her counselor was Father Pudlo.“Father Pudlo was very humorous, musically inclined, and always helpful,” she stated.





Simmons attended Penn State University three different times— for her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, her master’s in elementary school counseling, and for her doctorate degree in elementary school counseling.





Simmons added her final thoughts, “I have many fond memories of students, staff and families. I wish them all well and hope that through these turbulent times in education that they can maintain focus on the needs of all children and that the support staff will continue to do their best to keep them safe, while growing and learning about life, citizenship and the 3 R’s.”





After retiring Simmons plans to take a year of rest and then she is going to start a new career.