CLIENTS & VENUES

"Dr. Payno-Simmons is an inspiring, hardworking educator with the knowledge and expertise to change hearts AND minds. I have never met a more well-respected, knowledgeable, and hardworking educator as Dr. Payno-Simmons. She is a dynamic and inspiring leader that is well-versed in effective behavior practices. There are few people in education that so thoroughly understand the theoretical and practical aspects of culturally-responsive behavior practices as Dr. Payno-Simmons."

- Nathan A. Stevenson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Special Education
College of Education, Health, and Human Services
Kent State University

"Dr. Ruthie L. Payno-Simmons is a remarkable scholar, whose work overflows with cultural sensitivity, situated in the concerns and cares of the vulnerable. She has a wealth of experience working to transform lives through education, and change education systems through the brilliance of her unique perspective. Among the top educators I’ve had the pleasure to work with, Dr. Payno-Simmons is a rare intellectual who has something genuinely new to contribute to our efforts to transform failing systems of education."

- David E. Kirkland PhD JD
Executive Director | NYU Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools
Associate Professor | English and Urban Education
New York University | Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

"Dr. Payno-Simmons is a truly inspiring educator. She has engaged our students (mostly future teachers) with powerful ideas, combining compelling personal narratives with rich professional experiences."

- James Damico, PhD
Department Chair & Associate Professor | Literacy, Culture, & Language Education
Indiana University | Faculty Profile
Director, INSPIRE Living-Learning Center | Co-Director, Harmony-Meier Institute for Democracy & Equity in Education

"I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ruthie Payno-Simmons within the public school setting. Dr. Payno-Simmons has a keen ability to support leadership teams as they make connections between surfacing concerns with student achievement and systemic issues. When collaborating with teams, Dr. Payno-Simmons harnesses her incredible intellect, wealth of experience, and relentless passion to focus leadership and instructional efforts for maximum impact."

- Amanda Lantz, M.A, Ed.S
School Psychologist, Holt Public Schools

"Dr. Ruth Payno-Simmons is a woman of passion and integrity. She tackles tough topics with compassion and challenge. You need to hear her story; for when you do, you will see yourself and the world through a different lens."

- Tammy Shorna, M.A.
Educational Coach, Ingham Intermediate School District

"Dr. Payno-Simmons provided our entire staff with professional development that caused us to reflect deeply about our implicit biases and the impact they have in the classroom. Dr. Payno-Simmons provided a safe environment where participants were comfortable having honest conversations."

- Mrs. Yvonne. Thomas, M. Ed
Principal, Windemere Park Charter Academy