RUMFORD – During a recent school-wide assembly, co-presidents of the Student Council Cam Welch and Cody Smith announced that Natalie Simmons was named the Teacher of the Term. Every six weeks, students at Mountain Valley High School select a teacher or staff member to honor.

In presenting the award, the co-presidents said, “She is loved by both staff and students. She has been teaching here for five years, and she dedicates herself to all of her students. This is also her fourth year being the director of the theater department.”

With tears in her eyes, Simmons accepted the award. When interviewed later, she said, “I am so lucky to work in the best place in the world, with the best people. I have the most wonderful students.”

Simmons joined MVHS in 2006 as an English/language arts teacher. A year later, she became the theater arts teacher and director of theatrical productions as well as the school’s spring musical. Under her leadership, MVHS students have performed “Romeo and Juliet,” “Pirates of Penzance” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” to name a few. Simmons is currently directing MVHS students in “Once Upon a Mattress,” a musical which will be performed Nov. 17-19. 

In her spare time, Simmons performs with the Teachers’ Lounge Mafia, a local comedy-improvisational group. She is a graduate of University of Maine at Farmington and is expecting her first baby, with husband Kier Simmons, in January.

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