Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Simmons.
Hi Brittney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Brittney Simmons. I grew up in West Austin with a dream to be a kindergarten teacher. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Early Childhood Development and a minor in music education. I started teaching in Buda as a music teacher for kindergarteners through fifth graders. I knew that my heart was pulling me to lead my own classroom so I quickly transitioned into a second grade position in Kyle the following year. Over the years, my passion for learning and implementing innovative teaching methods led me to pursue certifications in areas including Gifted and Talented instruction, ESL, Montessori, Whole Brain Learning, Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness, Reggio Emilia, and more. I taught in Hays school district for a total of 16 years and earned Teacher of the Year at Carpenter Hill Elementary, as well as the prestigious HEB “Excellence in Education” State Teacher of the Year award. While the honors are meaningful, I will always value the lasting relationships with my students and their families.
Throughout my career in public education, I witnessed drastic changes and pendulum swings in many aspects of education. Areas of change such as technology usage, outdoor play, math instruction, dramatic play, student to teacher ratio, political/religious inclusion, testing, progress reporting, instructional minute mandates, and more began to take away from what should be the focus – THE CHILDREN. The battles teachers face on a daily basis are far too great for any person to fight while still providing his/her students the educational experience they deserve.
I left public school in 2021 and worked at a virtual public charter for over a year. In 2024, I was contacted about a director position at a small private school in South Austin. Little Learning Grove had only been open a matter of weeks and they needed a director. The founders, Attalie and Eamon Carrig, started the nonprofit and had a big vision. They wanted to build a community. They wanted a place of abounding love that local children could attend. The classes would be taught by certified teachers and have a focus on outdoor learning and hands-on, real life experiences. They soon gave me complete freedom and had trust that I would create the educational environment that fit their unique vision. Every part of this little school drew me in. Upon arriving at the converted home, I walked into the school yard and was greeted by the most magical tree I had ever seen. The legacy oak sprawled across the yard. When I followed the path to the center of the tree, I walked beneath a branch and was transported into a wondrous natural playscape. The branches reached the ground on all sides with a huge leaf covered classroom in the center. Under the tree we later placed swings, playscapes, a rock garden, and so much more. As soon as I saw this space, my heart was set on being a part of this project and devoting my career to building this school. We have now been open for two years and have grown from a single mixed age class to a fully accredited private school serving children from three years of age through second grade.
We know that there are countless options when it comes to choosing a school for your child. Our school bridges the gap between a nature school and a public classroom; we guarantee a ratio at or under seven students to one teacher yet we provide a true grade level experience unlike many of our homeschool pod counterparts. We are completely screen free and inquiry based. Our students meet or exceed state standards, learning through hands-on experiences, passion projects, and inquiry based discovery.
I believe that children are unique, capable, and full of potential. Our school teaching philosophy is child-centered, fostering curiosity through play-based, self-directed learning and through shared learning experiences. We create intentional environments where children explore the world through music, movement, self-expression, and hands-on experiences. We believe early childhood education should nurture the whole child – mind, body, and heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have firm pillars and educational philosophies at Little Learning Grove. We knew that we needed to stay true to the heart of our endeavor even through achieving state licensing and private school accreditation. Thankfully, we have been able to achieve that goal with a strong mission, an incredible faculty and board of education, and a tight knit community. We wanted to follow through on our promises of highly trained teachers, rigorous curriculum, time and space for adventurous play, and low student to teacher ratios while maintaining affordable tuition so that we could serve all families in the community and beyond. As we grow, we will continue to keep our students’ needs at the forefront.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Little Learning Grove’s philosophy centers on nurturing childhood wonder and fueling a lifelong love of learning through play-based experiences, meaningful interaction, and real-world exploration. The screen free environment prioritizes attention, creativity, and relational engagement. Classroom and outdoor activities focus on foundational skills in counting, language, storytelling, and nature exploration, while also supporting social-emotional development and self-regulation. Families are welcomed into a community that values connection, mutual support, and shared learning experiences. Monthly community excursions extend learning beyond the school environment and strengthen family partnership. The founders, Attalie and Eamon Carrig, envisioned a learning environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn each day. Through a balance of structured learning and child-initiated play, the program cultivates curiosity, confidence, and readiness for future educational experiences.
I firmly believe that this school’s success can be attributed to multiple factors. The Carrigs, school founders, had a big dream and they made it a reality. They bought a house and converted it into an educational facility. They run the non-profit, the board of education, and the business side of the school. They are involved in every aspect of the school and their vision is now a reality. Our staff is one of a kind. Every teacher has a heart for children and education. They treat their students as if they are family and love them endlessly. I am simply living out my dream of creating and running a school that is exactly what kids need in today’s world; high academic standards, well-being focused, and rooted in nature and active play. Our slogan is Long Live Childhood and that’s exactly what we do every single day.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to young or new to profession teachers is to focus on why you chose a “passion career.” If you ever start to lose sight of the passion, make a change. Ask yourself, “Am I doing what is right for my students?” If the answer is no, stop what you are doing and look to the students. Give them what they deserve. The Carrigs taught me to set a goal and keep working until it is a reality. It took me 20 years in education to find my place. I can finally answer those questions – I chose a passion career to educate children from the heart to the brain. I can firmly answer that I am doing exactly what is right for my students. Don’t stop questioning and dreaming until you meet your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlelearninggrove.org/
- Instagram: @littlelearninggrove
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/littlelearninggrove
