KidTown Announces Change in Management Team

KidTown at Harrison Memorial Hospital announces a transition in its management team, effective August 1, 2023. Tracy Lair, who has been the dedicated manager for the past seven years, will be stepping down from her position to pursue a new career in preschool education. Under her leadership, KidTown underwent significant growth and improvements, making it a highly regarded child development center in the area.

During Lair’s tenure as manager, KidTown underwent impressive transformations, including more than doubling in size and development of a pre-school program. In addition Lair led KidTown from not being ranked in the state’s ALL STARS quality program to an impressive four-star rating. Her dedication and hard work have been instrumental in shaping KidTown into a premier child development center.

Stepping into the role of the new manager will be Kristi Simmons, a teaching professional with an extensive background in elementary classroom instruction, both in public and private settings. With 17 years of experience, Kristi brings a wealth of knowledge in lesson planning and adaptive teaching methods. Her commitment to the growth and development of her students has consistently led to improved performance and preparedness for their future academic endeavors.

Simmons completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at the University of Texas at Tyler. Her passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a stimulating learning environment makes her the perfect fit for KidTown’s continued success.

Moreover, joining the management team as the new KidTown Coordinator is Ruthanne Chapman. Chapman has been an invaluable part of the KidTown community since 2017 when she joined as a preschool teacher. Over the years, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in teaching the preschool class.

In her new role as KidTown Coordinator, Chapman will oversee the classroom curriculum and guide our childcare providers on best industry practices, ensuring the highest standards of care and education for the children entrusted to KidTown. Her experience and commitment make her a key asset in maintaining KidTown’s reputation as a nurturing and supportive environment for young learners.

“My sincerest gratitude to Tracy for the work she’s accomplished while leading KidTown. She created an amazing foundation for KidTown to grow further,” says, Becky Jenkins, HMH Senior Leader of KidTown. “And, I’m excited and confident that Kristi and Ruthanne share our vision of KidTown’s continued progress to excellence.” 

Harrison Memorial Hospital and KidTown are confident that with the addition of Kristi Simmons as the new manager and Ruthanne Chapman as the KidTown Coordinator, the center will continue to thrive and provide exceptional care and education to the children in our community.