Tia N. Locke-Simmons began her career in education in the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD as a special educator. Tia served as an assistant principal at Klein High School in Klein ISD. She later became the first African American associate principal for curriculum and instruction for Klein High School and served there for nine years. In 2014, after over 150 years of educating the Spring, Texas community, Spring ISD selected Tia as the first African American principal at Spring High School. She was named Spring ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year in 2016. In July of 2016, Tia is was named the executive principal of Duncanville High School. In the 81 year history of the United States’ second largest high school facility, she was the first female to lead the campus for the Duncanville Independent School District. She currently serves as a curriculum director in the United States’ second largest school district, Houston ISD.
Tia is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is a Past President of Houston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is a founding member of the Houston Metropolitan Area Section of the National Council of Negro Women. She is a Life Member of the NAACP. With a lifetime focus on service, Tia has received several recognitions, including: National Women of Achievement Yellow Rose Award and the Wheeler Avenue Inner City Visions Audrey H. Lawton IMPACT Award for her service and civic-mindedness.
Tia was born in Wichita Falls, Texas and grew up in Dallas, Texas. She is a product Dallas Independent School District and graduated from South Oath Cliff High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Our Lady of the Lake University. She earned her Master of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. Currently, Tia is working toward her Doctor of Education degree from Sam Houston State University. Most recently, she became a Harvard Scholar, through scholarships from Raise Your Hand Texas and also received Higher Education Teaching Certification from Harvard University.
One of Tia’s favorite scriptures is Deuteronomy 32:2 – Let my teaching fall on you like rain: let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like the gentle showers on your plants.
