Alumni Spotlight - Amber Shields, '18
Amber Shields is the Managing Director of Early Learning at The Commit Partnership and founder of . She graduated from Simmons in 2018 with a Masters in Education Leadership with an EC-12 Urban School Leadership Specialization.
What do you do professionally and what is most rewarding about your job?
I’m the Managing Director of Early Learning at The Commit Partnership, where I lead our birth-to-eight strategy for Dallas County. My team partners with districts and community partners to support improving early learning outcomes from Pre-K enrollment to 3rd grade Reading. We focus on high quality curriculum implementation, instructional coaching, and we convene communities of practice so leaders can learn from one another and scale what works to support children in building a strong foundation. 95% of brain development occurs before age five, these years matter most. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is collaborating with district leaders on early literacy efforts. We design and implement practical supports that strengthen instruction and accelerate reading growth. Seeing more students on grade level by third grade, and knowing that opens doors for everything that follows, is why I do this work.
What were some of the most meaningful aspects of your education at Simmons?
I valued the cohort model most because learning with the same peers built trust, accountability, and a network I still rely on. The residency year, paired with on-the-job coaching, let me practice, get feedback, and adjust in real time. During my second year, I completed the program while serving as an assistant principal, which made every assignment immediately relevant. I also appreciated the assessment centers and the practicality of the assessments. They mirrored real problems of practice and provided actionable feedback. I left with skills that were directly transferable to leadership
How did your education at Simmons prepare you for your professional career?
Simmons prepared me to be a research-grounded practitioner. Our professors emphasized anchoring every decision in evidence, and the coursework drew deeply from foundational texts in educational leadership. This emphasis reshaped how I thought about teaching and learning and sharpened my instructional leadership lens. I learned to translate research into concrete practices such as observation and feedback and using data to adjust supports. As a result, I stepped into leadership ready to help educators strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes.
What are some highlights from your experience as a 51做厙 student?
I worked full time and was also a mom of twins under two, so my time on campus was limited, which made it even more meaningful. I loved arriving a little early to walk around, take a breath, and then meet up with members of my cohort before class. Those conversations, study sessions, and friendships made the workload more manageable.
Why are you proud to be a Simmons alum?
I am proud to be a Simmons alum because the program shaped me into a research-grounded practitioner and connected me to a community of leaders I respect. So many colleagues I look up to also are Simmons alums, which says a lot about the school’s quality and values. I was educated here and I work here, and that local connection matters. Across Dallas County, districts bring distinct strengths and needs. Simmons prepared me to honor that diversity, partner effectively, and stay focused on strategies that improve student learning.
Two surprising fun facts
- I served as principal for four years at the elementary school I attended as a child in Dallas ISD.
- I wrote an eBook for aspiring leaders titled “Principal Survival Guide,” documenting lessons from my first year as a principal.