Heidi Simmons

has been a writing instructor for the last 30 years. Most recently, She was the literacy coach at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London CT. While there her students won multiple awards from The University of Connecticut Writing Project. She is also Founder and writing tutor of Words On Fire Tutoring.

She coordinated Junior Viewpoint, an award-winning biweekly page of Children’s opinion writing, published by The Day newspaper. She has written a children’s book and a book for teachers on using the language of poetry as the foundation to writing instruction. In her Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral studies, she focused on Early Childhood Education and Literacy studies.

The following educators have influenced Heidi in both her research and curriculums:

• John Dewey

• John Britton

• Ralph Fletcher 

• Robert Graves

• Georgia Heard

• Louise Rosenblatt

• Ellen Winner

• Lev Vygotsky

Vygotsky’s  instructional philosophy of Social Constructivism particularly impacts Heidi’s pedagogy. Both of his concepts of Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding respect differentiated teaching which is cornerstone to Heidi’s instructional strategies. Children are successful learners when they are taught at their individual ability level. 

Heidi Simmons – 268 North Main Street - Stonington, CT 06378 - hpaffard@yahoo.com - 860-235-6449