Antonia Simao Appointed New Principal at Harrison Avenue Elementary School; Will Succeed Retiring Principal Valerie Hymes

Mrs. Antonia Simao has been named Principal of Harrison Avenue Elementary School, beginning August 1, 2025. She will replace Valerie Hymes, who is retiring after 16 years as the school’s principal.  

This announcement follows a comprehensive search that included more than 75 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews with teachers, staff, parents, and school leaders. Throughout the process, Mrs. Simao stood out as a compassionate, experienced, and visionary educator.

Mrs. Simao was appointed at the May 7th Board of Education meeting. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Louis Wool described her as possessing a powerful intellect, a unique educational profile, and a passion for providing an environment where all students can thrive. 

She is no stranger to the Harrison community. For the past seven years, Mrs. Simao has served as the District’s Supervisor of Secondary Special Education, overseeing all aspects of programming and support for special education students in grades 6 through 12. With her thoughtful leadership and dedication to student success, she has earned the respect of colleagues and families.

Mrs. Simao began her career as a special education teacher in New York City through the Teach for America program, co-teaching 7th-grade English Language Arts, science, math, and social studies. In that role, she also served on her school’s Child Study Team and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Team, supporting students’ academic and social-emotional growth.

Mrs. Simao has served as an elementary school psychologist at Success Academy in the Bronx, where she provided social and behavioral support, developed behavior intervention plans, and led professional development for teachers focused on intervention strategies. She also served as a Special Education School Improvement Specialist with the Mid-Hudson Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center, where she worked with school teams to evaluate programs, analyze student data, and lead improvement efforts grounded in research-based practices.

Mrs. Simao is excited to assume leadership of Harrison Avenue Elementary School. “I am honored to join the Harrison Avenue community as principal. I look forward to building on the strong foundation of belonging that makes the Harrison Avenue School such a special place and working together to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and valued for their unique contributions to our school community.”