Barry Jacobs was born on Nov 1, 1945 in the Bronx, NY. His mother and his father were also native New Yorkers. He graduated from Jericho High School and went on to earn a B.S. in psychology from City University of New York. Upon his graduation Mr. Jacobs entered the Peace Corps where he spent two years in Micronesia working as a tropical agronomist. Highlights of his Peace Corps tour included his participation in the first Bikini Atoll relocation survey and developing new techniques for copra cultivation. After completing his Peace Corps commitment he crewed on a merchant vessel and traveled extensively in Oceania and Asia until illness forced his return to the United States.
His first job back in "civilization" was as a social services caseworker in New York, where he met his wife, Melanie. After getting married he moved to Louisville, KY where he received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville. Following his graduation he supervised a social services team in Charleston, SC with the goal of improving the outcome of teen pregnancies in coastal South Carolina communities. He then spent five years with Planned Parenthood in Nashville in the capacities of education director and teen clinic director.
Shortly after the birth of his second child, Mr. Jacobs became president and CEO of a packaging distribution company for the next 15 years. Highlights of his packaging career included several awards for the development of innovative garment packaging and the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Shinjin, China. After the sale of his company, Mr. Jacobs attended Vanderbilt University where he received a master’s degree in special education. He has been teaching 7 years, 3 years as an MIP teacher and 4 years at W.A. Bass as a resource teacher. His wife teaches preschool inclusion down the street at Cockrill Elementary and he has two grown sons. He enjoys flying r/c airplanes, building computers, and classical music.
Strengths: patience and a sense of humor
Weaknesses: peanut brittle and organizing papers
Favorite Food: trout
Favorite Quote: "I resemble that remark."
Favorite Book: Ghandi's Truth
Favorite TV Show: Beauty and the Geek |
