For over a hundred years, Simmons College has demonstrated the importance of a strenuous and stimulating academic experience to its students. Finally, Simmons is taking its educational mission to the streets: This September, in conjunction with the Boston Teacher’s Union, they will open a public elementary school in Jamaica Plain. As a university, Simmons College has continuously remained focused on producing students who understand the importance of rigorous academics. By creating a public institution where children have outstanding academic opportunities, Simmons will be able to continue their mission from an earlier age.

What separates the new Boston Teacher’s Union School from the other public and private academic institutions in Boston? The BTU school will be a true partnership with Simmons, where faculty and staff from the university will help to development class content and training. Also, students from Simmons will have the opportunity to complete their required fieldwork and internships at the new school. Previously, all Simmons students studying to become teachers completed their fieldwork in local schools.  “Growing up, teaching had always been something I considered doing.  However, before going to Simmons I was undecided as to which major I wanted to pursue,” says Meaghan Clow, a Boston area teacher who received her  BA in 2007, and MA in 2008. “Simmons gave me the opportunity to realize that it was indeed what I wanted to do through taking courses that required service learning. Once I had the opportunity to get into a real classroom and work with kids, I knew teaching was definitely the right career path for me.”

With Simmons’ history as a university that encourages students to give back to the community through teaching, it only seems appropriate that they create their own school where the qualities of diversity and opportunity are encouraged from an early age. Clearly, the mission of Simmons College is ingrained in their graduates. As Alyssa DiPasquale, a 2006 graduate of Simmons puts it, “I am so proud to be an alum of Simmons College, a leader in the Boston landscape that constantly is contributing to the well being of it’s community.”

A regular contributor to DirectoryofBoston.com, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She is a frequent contributor to Boston MenuPages, Reinventing Beauty Magazine, Butterfly Diary, and SweetTalk on the Spot. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

 Photo: Simmons College website