While doing our research at the Avery Research Center our group met Miss Simms, a long time resident of Charleston and former teacher who frequently visits Avery Center to speak with one of her former students, Sherman Pyatt. She graciously spoke with us about her own education and her career as a teacher.

Miss Simms attended the Avery Institute as a young woman. During her four years at Avery, Simms recalls great exposure to black authors, but little exposure to black history. "We learned nothing about slavery, although we may have learned about some black achievements. I learned about slavery from my mother (who also attended Avery)."

After attending Avery, Miss Simms went to junior college in North Carolina where she double majored in English and Social Studies. After she attained her degree, Simms began teaching at Burke High School. She taught both world geography and world history. From 1945 to 1953, Simms took a sabbatical in order to earn her Masters in Education from Howard University. She returned to Charleston to teach at her alma matter, Avery. However, her career at Avery ended in two years when the school closed due to pressure from its white neighbors. Simms returned to Burke High School for the next twenty years. She concluded her teaching career in 1976 after teaching for three years at Charleston High.

Recounting her time as a teacher, Simms recalls "Back then, kids went to school to learn. They had respect for their teachers and the children were motivated. They didn't have negative attitudes. Parents were also more involved in helping with everything from fundraising to parent conferences."

Comparing her own education to that of her students Simms, highlighted the difference in post-graduation options. "When I was a kid, black women became teachers, seamstresses, nurses, domsetic help, or factory workers. But when I taught, students became librarians, presidents of Universities, teachers, lawyers, doctors, resident nurses, principals, and writers. My students had opportunities that I never had."