Longtime MNEA leader moves on to MNEA CEO

After 29 years as a teacher and Missouri NEA activist, six years as an MNEA UniServ director and a year as assistant executive director for field services, longtime MNEA leader Ben Simmons has accepted MNEA’s chief staffing position as the Association’s executive director.

”I want to continue a change that is already in progress,” Simmons says. “I believe that one of the keys to our success is cultivating positive staff relations and developing an appreciation of our Association’s core mission and values among all of our members and employees.”

During his 29 years as an educator, Simmons taught English, social studies and history in the Independence School District. During that time, he played a variety of roles as an association leader. He served as local president, a member of the local’s board of directors, a member of the negotiations team, chairperson of the public relations committee and editor of the local and community newsletters.

His leadership, however, expanded beyond Independence as he served on various state and national committees and represented MNEA on the NEA board of directors.

Aside from his passion for public education and the teaching profession, Simmons is a professional photographer and has always taken a keen interest in technology’s latest gadgets, including cameras and other electronic communications devices, which he refers to as “toys.”

Simmons officially began his new role Feb. 1. He and his wife, Patty, a retired Missouri NEA member, reside in Jefferson City.