USN remembers Interim Director Kay Simmons

Kay Simmons led USN in 1990-1991 and also served as Director of Development during the school's campaign to build the wooden playground.
By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Communications Director
 
University School of Nashville Interim Director Kay Simmons died Friday, Nov. 12, after an extended struggle with progressive supranuclear palsy. 

A fundraiser by profession, Simmons joined USN as Director of Development in 1986. Four years later, the Board of Trustees elected her to guide the school for the 1990-1991 academic year between Director Harvey Sperling and Director Ed Costello. During that time, she led the school’s $12,315 Buy-A-Board campaign to construct the wooden playground still standing today. Some 200 volunteers built and assembled its beams, tunnels, slides, and bridges in 80 hours over five days in April.

“It was at University School where she found her passion for education and helping young people learn and achieve,” her family wrote in her obituary. “It was also there that she found a wonderful mentor and a culture that closely aligned with her personal values of mutual respect and inclusivity.”

Simmons remained at USN through 1992 and later stepped into public education, founding the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, working as the Special Assistant to the Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, and representing District 9 on the MNPS Board of Education. 

“Kay helped create our modern culture of philanthropy as Development Director and went on to serve the city, especially its schools, in a broad range of roles, including the Alliance for Public Education and the MNPS Board. Our hard-working playground carries a plaque that rightly bears her name, as a salute to the way that project brought the community together,” said Director Vince Durnan.


She is survived by her husband, Keith; their children, Jennifer Simmons McGugin ’96, Lauren Kay Simmons Beem, and Barton William Simmons; grandchildren and siblings.

Visitation is 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Simmons family home, 1112 Park Ridge Drive, as well as from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway. Her memorial service follows at 2 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in her honor be made to University School of Nashville, Greenways for Nashville, or the Nashville Public Education Foundation.
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Henry Knowles ’26 delivers the Commencement address on Sunday, May 17 on the Back Lawn.

    USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement

    Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.
    Read More

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
Archive

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.