Auburn College of Education grad student and Opelika Teacher of the Year bridges teaching and learning

When Cecily Jacob walks into her classroom each morning as a teacher at Southview Primary School in Opelika, Alabama, she brings more than lesson plans. She enters equipped with the latest strategies she has learned as a doctoral student at Auburn University’s College of Education.

“I can take practices I learn at Auburn and apply them the very next day in my classroom in Opelika and in the classroom at Auburn, teaching undergraduate students,” said Jacob, who teaches a multi-grade classroom with students in kindergarten through second grade in a self-contained special education program at Southview.

Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in early childhood elementary special education with a specialization in autism and intellectual disability from Auburn. She’s now pursuing her doctorate in Special Education at Auburn’s College of Education, focusing on accessible educational supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

“I chose the field of special education because I believe every student deserves access to an education that celebrates who they are and is truly accessible to them, and I wanted to learn how to better create that kind of environment for my students,” she said.

Balancing Two Roles

Jacob credits Auburn’s College of Education for helping her grow professionally while she continues to teach full-time, and she points to one professor in particular for mentoring her along to success — Assistant Professor Christine Drew.

“I have really enjoyed getting to work with and learn from Dr. Drew,” Jacob said. “I also appreciate that the program is flexible enough for me to teach full-time while also being a full-time student. It has allowed me to grow in both roles at the same time.”

Such endurance and hard work are paying off for Jacob, who was recently named the Opelika City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year. Jacob was recognized with the prestigious award for her passion and dedication to student growth, following her selection as her school’s Teacher of the Year earlier in 2025.

Jacob’s career began as a speech therapist serving students in Russell County, Alabama. 

“I quickly discovered my passion for working with students with high support needs,” she said.

Jacob is currently in her sixth year of teaching. These days, her life is a balancing act — full-time teacher by day, full-time student by night. As an elementary teacher, she said she loves how her classroom is both busy and joyful.

“It is full of all of my favorite sounds: giggles, music and stimming,” she said. “We prioritize structure, routine, life skills, communication, academics, and we have fun doing it!”

Preparing Future Educators

She has also thoroughly enjoyed teaching undergraduate education majors as part of her doctoral pursuits.

“My experience teaching undergraduate education majors has reminded me that all students respond to evidence-based practices,” she said. “Good teaching is good teaching regardless of age, and the foundations of effective instruction apply to all learners.”

Meanwhile, “I have learned how much I enjoy teaching future educators at the college level, which has helped me better understand the path I would like to pursue after graduation.”

That path, she said, will involve her pursuit of a university-level tenure-track position in special education with a focus on research and preparing future special education teachers. In the lead-up to that, Jacob said she’s already enjoyed being part of the research process with Dr. Drew at the College of Education.

“My favorite thing about Auburn is getting to learn about research from Dr. Drew,” she said. “She has taught me so much and helped me grow as an educator.”

Jacob’s passion has also led her to spearhead a recent initiative to raise funds for wheelchair-accessible swings at her elementary school.

“Accessibility is everything,” she said. “All my students love going outside for recess and P.E. A wheelchair-accessible swing would allow all current and future wheelchair users and those with mobility and balance difficulties at our school the opportunity to more actively participate in outside time rather than watching certain activities from the sidelines.”

Jacob said such an effort would go a long way in supporting social time for students who currently don’t have that opportunity.

And whether at her elementary school or on Auburn’s campus, Jacob hopes all students have the chance to forge the necessary connections for success. In conveying the advice she would offer to current and future College of Education students, she offered this:

“The relationships you build with faculty and peers really matter. Lean into every learning opportunity and seek feedback whenever you can. Auburn’s College of Education is a place where you will be challenged and supported. You are surrounded by people who want you to succeed.”