Jane Simmons PSM
Ms. Jane Simmons PSM recently retired from the position of Deputy Director-General of the ACT Government, Education Directorate. Underpinned by a career spanning 37 years in public education, with more than 30 years in leadership positions, she has significant expertise in leading people through change and building sustained leadership capability in educational systems. Equity in education is at the core of Ms. Simmons’s educational leadership philosophy, and she continues to be passionate about the importance of the Arts in education, particularly music education. She is also a strong advocate for leadership development as a key driver for improving system outcomes.
Ms. Simmons is an experienced school and system leader and is a strong advocate for leadership development as a key driver for improving educational outcomes. She has successfully led systemic reforms for school improvement for public schools in NSW and the ACT public school systems and is recognised for her ability to lead educational reform and manage complex and collaborative relationships with government and key stakeholders. Ms. Simmons has represented education systems at national and international education forums and regularly presents at educational leadership summits on public education leadership, reform, and transformation.
Prior to commencing in the ACT Education Directorate, Ms. Simmons led the NSW Department of Education’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also held numerous executive leadership positions with the NSW Department of Education including the role of Deputy Secretary Learning Improvement, Executive Director of School Services, Executive Director Public Schools NSW Sydney Metropolitan North, Principal of Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School, and Executive Producer of the NSW Department of Education’s Schools Spectacular.
Joining the ACT Education Directorate in 2021, she led the ACT Government’s response to COVID for the ACT public education system, and the delivery of education services, strategy, and programs, and operations for ACT public schools. In this role, she has led significant system reform for school improvement, safety and wellbeing, and recently leading the Strong Foundations reform for literacy and numeracy.
Ms. Simmons holds a Master of Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Music Education qualification. She commenced her career as a secondary school music teacher before progressing to school leadership and senior executive roles within secondary schools across Sydney, NSW, going on to senior executive roles in the public service.
Ms. Simmons is a member of the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA) Board, a Director on the Richard Gill National Music Academy – Richard Gill School, and is a Director on the NextSense Board.
Ms. Simmons is an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University and the University of Canberra, and in 2020, was awarded a Public Service Medal for her services to education.
