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Amber Simpson (TX '16)

Executive Director of Strategic Projects

National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

At the time of the Award, Amber Simpson was:

TAP Master Teacher
Barrera Veterans Elementary
Von Ormy, TX

Subject(s) taught: English/Language Arts, Reading
Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4


Biographical Information

Amber Simpson doesn't teach just one class at Barrera Veterans Elementary School—she helps drive instruction for the entire building. As a TAP master teacher, she is a vital part of the school's TAP leadership team, sharing duties with the administrators and fellow master and mentor teachers.

The rural school, which serves a predominantly Latino high-poverty population, has been implementing TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement for three years through its partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. Simpson currently serves as a Senior Specialist, Texas, for the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching.

As such, Simpson works with teachers of students from kindergarten through fourth grade. She helps facilitate weekly professional development meetings, during which she coaches faculty on systematically tracking their students' progress and developing action plans to reinforce strengths and address areas of improvement. This work is complemented by observing educators in the classroom, modeling and testing new instructional techniques, introducing curriculum and assessing students' learning along the way.

Through the staff’s effort with the instructional model, Barrera has received the highest state accountability rating of Met Standard. Equally important is that students are achieving more than a year's worth of value-added growth as compared to similar schools throughout the state.

Simpson, who served as a team lead and TAP mentor teacher before becoming a master teacher, relishes her role as a resource for her colleagues. In addition to the meaningful guidance that she provides, she makes presentations each year at the orientation for new teachers and hosts several site visits from other TAP schools to share and maximize the impact of effective best practices. Beyond the school, Simpson serves on several district curriculum committees and mentors new TAP master teachers in the district.

Well-known in the community and respected by parents, Simpson provides one-on-one tutoring for students, with whom she develops long-term relationships. She motivates students to excel in school, encourages them to plan for college and attends their graduation ceremonies. Simpson's former students return often to Barrera to share their successes with her.

Simpson earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies in 1999 from Texas State University, and a master's in educational leadership in 2014 from Concordia University.

Press release: Somerset ISD Master Teacher Amber Simpson Earns Milken Educator Award and $25,000


Related Connections

Article: Spotlight: Amber Simpson (TX '16)

Educator Quote:

"The Award brought a lot of pride and excitement to our..." (read more)


Amber Simpson Newsletters

MEA Surprises in HI, CA, TX
Feb 10, 2017


Amber Simpson In The News

Listen: SISD Teacher Wins Prestigious Milken Educator Award
KSTX-FM  |  Texas Public Radio  |  Feb 08, 2017  |  San Antonio, TX

Somerset ISD Teacher Named Among Nation's Best Educators
WOAI-AM  |  Feb 07, 2017  |  San Antonio, TX

San Antonio Area Teacher Wins National “Oscar of Teaching” and $25,000
San Antonio Express-News  |  Feb 07, 2017  |  San Antonio, TX

Watch: San Antonio-Area Teacher Honored with Milken Educator Award
KENS-TV  |  CBS  |  Feb 07, 2017  |  San Antonio, TX

Watch: Teacher Honored with Prestigious Award
KSAT-TV  |  ABC  |  Feb 07, 2017  |  San Antonio, TX

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