Back to Longwood She Goes

Kim Jacobs ‘93 recently returned to Longwood to add a Reading, Literacy, and Learning endorsement from the M.Ed. program.

“I chose the Reading, Literacy, and Learning program at Longwood because I received my undergraduate degree from there. When I heard about the cohort they had starting in Bedford, I just knew that I wanted to be there as a part of that,” Jacobs said.

The Reading, Literacy and Learning program provides teachers the opportunity to investigate research-based theories in reading and writing, put theory into effective practice, and examine how culture impacts teaching and learning.

With 20 years of experience working in special education, Jacobs passion is to provide struggling students with better and accessible resources and instruction.  Jacobs believes that what she learned in the Reading, Literacy and Learning (RLL) program allowed her to do that, 

“I applied what I learned in graduate school at my job today, every day. I still have my notebook and refer to it daily. All of the little tricks and trades that they gave us are so applicable,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs says professors know that many of their graduate students are full-time teachers, with responsibilities. Their one-on-one attention, deep knowledge, and extensive experience is why she was successful. “I was working full-time while attending the program and I found it to be very doable with very easy access,”Jacobs says.

RLL Program Director, Dr. Ang Blanchette says, “RLL is extremely proud of the educator profile Kim represents; who could argue with the power-house combination of special education and literacy expertise? As an experienced special education teacher, Kim enriched classes with her ability to speak to authentic scenarios and passion for the area of learning that she knew was most critical for her students: proficiency in reading and writing. She is truly an example of someone doing the right work for the right reasons, and RLL could not be more honored to have someone like Kim representing the legacy of top-notch educators from Longwood."

Jacobs says she knows attending Longwood again, and earning the RLL endorsement has helped her students, “It’s allowed my students to feel better about themselves.” 

Hear from Kim Jacobs in her graduate spotlight video.