Melody Jacobs: ‘Part of the journey is enjoying it’

M.T. in Secondary English Education student and full-time RTR resident is driven by her determination – and a passion for teaching. 

Headshot of Melody Jacobs, a graduate student in the M.T. in Secondary English Education program.
Melody Jacobs (Courtesy Photo)

By Shania Stevenson

Autonomy at an Early Age

Excelling in her class in 5th grade, Melody Jacobs’ teacher allowed her to act on her passion for teaching by assisting classmates who were struggling. From then on, Jacobs determined how she wanted to learn, where and with whom.

This determination had a huge impact on her while she was an undergraduate student at UVA. “I took autonomy over my education,” said Jacobs. “I constructed it in a way that best suited my needs and mental health, which meant I spent three semesters away from UVA.” For a year, Jacobs studied abroad in the Semester at Sea program. She traveled through 27 countries and across five oceans, taking most of her general education and English linguistic classes in the process.

Adaptability as an Educator

Currently, Jacobs is pursuing her M.T. in Secondary English Education at the VCU School of Education and is a full-time resident in the RTR Residency program. “I’ve never had a traditional education,” she said. From teaching at 10, to studying on a ship, to complete virtual learning, she’s using her unique experience to help her become an adaptable, holistic educator.

That's why the RTR Residency program was such a perfect fit for her. “The program does a very good job of staying relevant,” she said. “It makes as many adjustments as necessary so that we as residents are best prepared to serve our students.”

After being exposed to different types of people and different ways of studying as an undergraduate, Jacobs reminds herself to be patient as a full-time resident.

“This is a journey, and part of the journey is enjoying it,” she said.