Taking experience to heart: Ashley Simms’ SUNY Empire story
(NEW YORK, NY — MAY 13, 2024) Balancing a family, multiple jobs, and working toward a degree is no easy feat, but it’s one Ashley Simms meets with a smile on her face at Empire State University. Simms is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in educational studies and hopes to become a special education teacher. Simms said enrolling at Empire State University made sense for her goals.
“I’m a single mom, so I work a full-time job and I have a part-time job,” Simms said. “I do community habilitation work with the special needs community. I chose Empire State University because it was geared towards adults, and it was more accommodating than a different school.”
Simms’ interest in special education and teaching was always there, but the opportunity to get a college degree was not there until a chance came for Simms to change course.
“I was working in an office, and I ended up getting laid off and I said, ‘This is just my opportunity to go back to school and do what I really wanted to do,’” Simms said.
Simms currently works as a paraprofessional for the Department of Education in a District 75 school in New York City, which provides specialized instructional support for students with autism, cognitive delays, sensory impairments, and other disabilities, and she uses her skills inside and outside the classroom.
“It feels amazing to be so close to being able to teach, especially working in a school setting and seeing all of the teachers — they’re all very supportive.” Simms said.
Simms said working toward her degree was not without its challenges, but she had support from mentors and professors at the university.
“Everyone’s been nothing but amazing,” Simms said.
Once Simms walks the stage in Manhattan on May 17, 2024, her journey with Empire State University is far from over. She will begin working towards a master’s degree in childhood special education after graduation.
“It doesn’t matter when you start or when you finish,” Simms said. “You need to follow your dreams and just go for it, even if it’s later in life.”