Curtis Simons says he is ending a better than four-decade career in education when the academic year ends at Sacred Heart Elementary.
Simons informed the parish community last week of his decision, simply saying it’s time.
Simons’ career started at Hoisington, and he served there seven years before coming to Emporia High as a teacher and wrestling coach. After 11 years at Emporia High, it was off to Hartford, where he worked nine years in administration before coming back to Emporia High as athletic director for another nine years.
Simons has actually retired once, doing so in 2022 — and was set to retire earlier than he actually did as he transitioned out of Emporia High before agreeing to stay on after a personnel decision on his replacement fell through. Simons actually started at Sacred Heart as a part-time physical education teacher under then-principal Ali Geitz, but she resigned due to health reasons.
Having served at the school where his daughters attended and having a chance to talk about faith in education were both big draws for Simons.
Simons is leaving as the groundwork is getting laid for Sacred Heart to build a new elementary school, replacing the 99-year-old building now in use. He says the Building More Than Bricks drive has generated $1.5 million in donations at a time when enrollment is swinging up.
Simons thanked the Knights of Columbus, the Langley Foundation and parishioners for their support of the parish and the school. He plans to help the transition to a new principal — although he doesn’t plan on helping with the hire — and he also plans to help with the ongoing fundraising efforts. On top of that, he plans to travel and he plans to stay involved in wrestling events.
Residents interested in contributing to the Building More Than Bricks fundraising effort can go online to shemporia.org.
