Amber Simpson

Executive Director of Strategic Projects

asimpson@niet.org

Amber Simpson spent much of her 20 years in education as a teacher leader before coming to NIET. As a teacher leader, Amber facilitated weekly job-embedded professional development meetings during which she coached faculty on systematically tracking their students' progress and developing action plans to reinforce strengths and address areas of improvement. This work was complemented by observing educators in the classroom, modeling and testing new instructional techniques, introducing curriculum, and assessing students' learning along the way.

In 2016, as a TAP master teacher, Amber was honored in front of students and staff with the prestigious Milken Educator Award (TX '16). She continued her work during the next two years as an executive master teacher, thus expanding her reach to coaching leadership teams districtwide. Currently at NIET, Amber works alongside district and school leadership in school districts across Texas helping to strengthen existing systems and structures and increase student achievement.

Amber Simpson

Why are you passionate about working at NIET?

NIET's core values align to mine as an educator and leader. I have worked alongside several very talented NIET staff for years, as a mentor and master teacher. I was always inspired by their passion for growing teachers and students. Working for NIET allows me to pay it forward as I work with districts to ensure that every student has a high-quality teacher in each classroom. I am most proud of the relationships that have been built on each campus I support and the growth I am seeing in the leadership teams in regards to mindset and building teacher capacity.

Who is your favorite teacher?

I have many teachers who made an impact in my life. Mr. Shirtum, an algebra teacher, was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that we mastered the content. He was always available and worked with us before and after school in addition to during school, including lunch. He believed that we were all capable of mastering the content. Because of him, I was able to tutor others during college and after having him as my teacher I had a strong math foundation that has helped me throughout my teaching career.

What is your super power/hidden talent?

I am a listener and thinker and often not the most talkative in a group. However, in doing so, I have a keen ability to identify the root-cause of a problem to help come up with a solution.