Please help us in celebrating Mrs. Melba Jacobs who was recently inducted in the Florida Special Olympics Hall of Fame!
Mrs. Jacobs is an Adaptive Physical Education Resource Specialist and has been Opening the Possibilities for LCS students for 27 years and has been an ESE professional for 18 years. She collaborates with general physical education teachers, staff, and parents to provide adaptive physical education resources, accommodations and modifications to students with disabilities so they can be included in general physical education with their peers and successfully meet goals and objectives for success in physical education. “My job is to ‘even the playing field’ for all students in the class. This not only includes physical skills, but also social and emotional skills as well. The determination and resiliency of our students motivates me to provide resources and programs that will empower each one to achieve a healthy and happy life.”
Mrs. Jacobs has various roles with the Special Olympics. Part of her position as the ADPE Resource Specialist is Coordinator of the CLAY (Community Leisure for Youth) Program for ESE students. “The CLAY Program provides opportunities for our students to receive leisure education in the community during their school day. A component within the CLAY Program is Special Olympics Training and Competition. This includes Unified Sports opportunities where students with and without disabilities play on the same team and develop sports and social skills that promote unity.” She also serves as a Coach Education Trainer and teaches coaching courses for a variety of sports skills. These trainings are a part of the coach education model that Special Olympics created to certify and ensure that coaches are well-trained for the sports they are coaching for.
In addition to her work with students and the Special Olympics, Mrs. Jacobs says that, “Being able to collaborate and share experiences with my fellow teachers and staff motivates me to continue learning ways to be a better version of myself and continue contributing to a world of inclusion for all.”
When asked what it meant for her to be a Hall of Fame inductee, she said, “I am honored to be recognized as a leader in fostering the acceptance of all people. I celebrate this distinction with the many students in our District that have been included and recognized for their achievements in sports and life. I strive to be a positive influence on the students, teachers and staff who through praise and empowerment help create a more inclusive community for students of all abilities.”
Original source can be found here.
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