The Principal’s Playbook: Dr Cynthia Simons on Making Student Growth Possible

M-TIP

In this episode, host Dr. Tamara Thomas has an in-depth conversation with Dr. Cynthia Simons, the principal credited with ushering in remarkable change at Warren County High School. After ten years of academic stagnation and persistent challenges, Dr. Simons stepped into the principal role in 2023, bringing her over twenty-five years of experience and a passion for educational excellence.

In just one year, Dr. Simons led the school to break free from its long-standing struggles, achieving overall academic growth and seeing every student subgroup meet or exceed achievement targets. Her approach? A combination of setting clear, high expectations, fostering a culture of collaboration, leveraging data to inform instruction, and making every staff member and student feel seen and supported.

Dr. Simons discusses how she navigated the initial challenges of taking over a low-performing school, built trust with staff and the community, and created structures, like student and parent advisory committees, that empowered all voices within the school. She also opens up about the importance of recognizing big and small wins, and how transparency and intentionality made all the difference.

Key Moments

04:15 "Overcoming CSI School Challenges"

07:38 Enhancing Student Growth with EVAS Data

09:38 School-Wide Data Ownership

15:50 School Ambassadorship and Teacher Expectations

18:46 Coaching for Collaborative Growth

21:22 Improving Graduation and Discipline Rates

25:59 Fostering Positive School Culture Strategies

27:09 Engaging Parent & Student Advisory

31:25 Support Systems for School Administrators

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

If you're an educator, leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of change, this episode will hit home. Dr. Simons doesn’t just talk strategy—she shows what it looks like to lead with courage, conviction, and care. Her story is a masterclass in what happens when expectations are high, data is transparent, and relationships come first.

You’ll walk away with practical takeaways on instructional leadership, culture-building, and mobilizing a team toward a shared vision. But more than that, you’ll be reminded that even the most entrenched challenges can be overcome with the right mix of vision and heart.

Connect with Guest - Dr. Cynthia Simons

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clsleads

Website: https://www.warrenk12nc.org/

Connect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tamara-thomas-2204b113/

Website: https://drtamaralthomasconsulting.com/

Thanks for listening to the M-TIP Podcast. Keep striving, keep reflecting, and remember—real change starts with one committed leader. That could be you.