Stephanie Simms Email & Phone Number

Baltimore, Md, Us

Baltimore, Maryland Area

MAPCS is newly structured to meet the needs of a diverse membership and engage with a variety of stakeholders to strengthen the charter sector in Maryland. After focusing solely on Baltimore City charters the organization is now marshalling a statewide coalition of stakeholders who are informed, organized, and motivated for school reform.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Served as the Interim Executive Director of The Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools (MAPCS). Oversaw implementation of the merger and newly structured organization, hiring and selection of a full time Executive Director, non-profit management, Board governance, and grant management .

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Executive consultant to Maryland public charter schools in the areas of governance, renewal preparation, strategic planning, development, community relations, advocacy, charter school development and leadership.

Rallied school stakeholders to collaboratively develop a shared vision about the school’s mission and goals for its students 10 years into to the school’s existence. Together with Board and school leadership team, successfully crafted a 5-year renewal of the charter; developed policies, practices, and infrastructure to support sustainability appropriate for a governing board; built a strong committee structure to develop shared accountability and capacity at the board level; and oversaw an expansion of the board in order to better leverage resources and capitalize on expertise and diversity. The board worked with school staff to create fiscal and academic dashboards for increased accountability and oversight consistent with the mission and vision of the school.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Worked with Maryland Charter School Network as School Support and Development Manager. Launched new technical assistance program that provides Maryland charter school leaders with the tools and guidance necessary for creating successful charter school applications, opening outstanding schools, and strengthening and supporting existing schools. Secured & Managed multiple MSDE grants for charter school technical assistance. Served as main point of contact for past MCSN conference planning, budgeting, timeline development, speaker coordination, and workshop planning. Developed Governance trainings, webinars and support materials. Worked on advocacy agenda, created talking points, compiled data, met with legislators, developed advocacy toolkit for charter schools. Analyzed school & state-level charter school data and created messaging for charter schools to increase awareness and public support. Handled day to day operations of organization.

Baltimore City

Worked with the Patterson Park and surrounding neighborhood community to create and oversee a high-quality public charter school (PPPCS) for Baltimore City children that enriches the community. As a Founding Member of Patterson Park Public Charter School, lnc., working together with other founders, facilitated the charter application process, co-wrote the application, devised a nonprofit entity, developed community partnerships, secured marketing and MSDE grants, acquired pro-bono legal counsel, and won Baltimore City School Board approval for opening in September 2005 with over 300 students in grades K-4. PPPCS was one of the first wholly new charter schools in Maryland and Baltimore City. Also a co-founder of the Coalition for Baltimore City Charter Schools.

Baltimore City

Worked extensively with the Baltimore City Public School System (the Authorizer), to provide feedback, support, data and information sharing during the start-up phase and implementation of charter schools in Baltimore City. Established professional relationships with the district office to assist in collaboration as well as push back to identify and resolve charter school related issues. Under her leadership, part of team that sought & won more equitable funding for charter schools in Baltimore City. Worked with founding board & newly hired staff to create policies, procedures and administrative details appropriate during the start up stage of establishing a wholly new charter school and board governance for a public charter school.

Greater Los Angeles Area, Chicago, Baltimore

Holding multiple positions during a 13 year tenure at CIGNA Healthcare, the most recent position was Senior Account Manager, successfully managing business averaging $50 million in revenue. During her CIGNA tenure, she quickly adapted to three distinct markets (Mid-Atlantic, Chicago, Los Angeles) with widely varying demographics. She customarily negotiated between clients and underwriting to arrive at financially viable renewal terms, and sold additional lines of business on the strength of good will, service history, and product knowledge. In courting everyone from CFO’s to HR directors to rank-and-file employees, she tailored presentations and appeals to suit her audience. This adaptability and accessibility carries over into working with community organizations, business leaders, parents, and volunteers.

Mba

Bachelor'S Degree, Political Science And Government & Russian Language And Civilization