David Simmons

David was born out west and has lived in seven different states. He spent his formative years in Delmar, NY, and has made his home in the Adirondacks since 2003. He fell in love with the Adirondacks as a child, whether through family camping trips or summer camp on Lake George. He cannot imagine living anywhere else. Surviving the winters is rewarded with glorious summers, and he plans to keep doing so for as long as he can. David cherishes his family and close friends—the latter of whom he has known since grade and middle school, and the former, of course, for a lifetime.

David has a diverse professional background, including work in park management and operations, carpet and vinyl installation, plumbing and heating, framing and construction, landscaping and land development, as well as radio and teaching. Through these experiences, he has acquired many skills that he willingly shares with those who are interested. He has been teaching at Paul Smith’s College since 2013 and has served as Parks & Conservation Program Coordinator since 2021. He could not be happier here. There are not many “clubs” of which he is a member, but being one of thousands of Paul Smith’s alumni is one he is especially proud to belong to.

Reflecting on a favorite Paul Smith’s College experience, David, along with a colleague, took 13 students on a two-week immersive study abroad trip to Nepal during the winter of ’25/26. There, students learned about community forest and resource management while also experiencing Nepal’s customs, cuisine, and culture. He refers to it as “the trip of a lifetime.”