Melissa Rabon was nominated by her colleague, Madeline Donaway.
Mrs. Rabon is an absolute LifeChanger in so many ways. She not only fought for her child's right to learn in the way he needs, but she started a school that's more like a haven for students just like him. She started a school for students with dyslexia. Students who usually fall through the cracks. Students who are swept under the rug.
"Since beginning our school this year, we have seen major improvements with our students because we have simply given them the opportunity to shine," said Donaway. "Melissa is an outstanding boss who is understanding, empathetic, and kind. She has a positive rapport with all of her staff, and she shows that she truly cares. She made her wolfpack so successful already and has changed more lives than she probably realizes."
Melissa Rabon is deserving of the LifeChanger award. She started the PACE Academy with not only her child in mind, but all children with dyslexia. She saw a huge need in our community and made it a reality. We are grateful for this school and all that it does to help children like our daughter. These children are thriving, and their lives are changing! That is the definition of a "Life-Changer."
Well deserved! I consider Mrs. Rabon a TRAILBLAZER! She has hit the plow working and advocating for our children to make sure that they are heard, loved, respected, and valued as individuals! I believe that with her vision and PACE ACADEMY, our children WILL succeed.
I can only reiterate what other people have said, Mrs.Rabon has truly changed our grandsons life. Through her passion and dedication she has established a new school, a monumental task, and I can only imagine the hurdles she encountered. I believe this award is well deserved, Mrs.Rabon has changed more lives than she will ever know. Thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do for our families.
I’m not a teacher and I no longer have children or even grandchildren in school.
What I know is that Melissa fights and struggles with not only her children but other’s children to give them the best education possible. Everyone one of us learn in different ways. Education is NOT a one way street. She has found the different path of learning and she shows that every day in the children given to her care. She continually surrounds her self with an excellent staff. She sacrifices her time and energy on every task to make sure of that!
I am so very proud of her accomplishments. I am proud to call her friend!
I know that she has the heart to see that PACE continues to excel and grow in learning.
I took a leap with you. I was afraid to move on. But now that I have. You brought me strength and open arms. Never once did you make me justify, all the disabilities I have inside. You opened your wings and let me fly. I hold my arms open to you everyday. You do the same for me. Just take a deep breath and breath. Your wings bring peace and love to all you touch.
There aren't enough words to describe how much Mrs. Rabon had changed our lives. My son Michael has the heart of gold. He loves everyone. He has struggled with friends. She even introduced her own son to mine because they are so much alike. We've run into some issues this year and she handled it very well. She has gone above and beyond for my son. My son has anxiety issues and she will check on him to make sure he's okay. We've also had other issues come up, and she was there for him. She told him that "the school wouldn't be the same without you being here, we love and adore you." Without her getting this school started from the ground up, I don't know where we would be. If anyone deserves this award it's her.
Melissa Rabon exemplifies what a real LifeChanger is and there couldn't be a more perfect term that describes her. My daughter, Hope only started there exactly a month ago, yet in that month, all of her anxieties have subsided. In regular SC public schools, Hope was literally in battle-mode every day from not only an ill-fitting curriculum, but teachers and administrators that did not understand the unique educational needs of neuro-diverse and dyslexic children.
Hope is not only regaining her self-confidence and is growing back much of her previously lost self-esteem. She is also being met where she is with her education by her highly effective teachers. -- They are able to work with her different-abilities to teach her and her peers. Simply put. My child goes to school happy and leaves happy. She and her peers can learn and are achieving educational success in the environment that PACE has set up.
We cannot express enough how grateful my family and our friends are to Mrs. Rabon. The leadership and passion she exudes extends is obviously infectious as she has like-minded loving teachers and administrators that follow in her footsteps to educate dyslexic children in Columbia, SC. MAY ALL public school administrators and teachers in the USA look at what PACE Academy is doing so that they can bring back some of Melissa's MAGIC/MOJO to their schools to benefit ALL kids who learn differently, especially the 1-in-5 who are somewhere on the dyslexia spectrum. NO CHILD WANTS TO FAIL.
Thank you Melissa for founding PACE Academy and all that you and your teachers and staff are doing to serve the needs of our children.
We are so excited to be a part of PACE Academy. Our son’s attitude toward school has completely changed. We so appreciate being part of the vision Melissa Rabon has created for families dealing with learning differences. Congratulations on this nomination!
We are so thankful that Melissa build this wonderful school. She is so deserving of this award. Finally a place in our community to help dyslexic students thrive and feel their worth. We are very grateful!
Mrs Rabon is the definition of a phenomenal woman, not only does she strive for the best for her son’s education she strives for mine as well. Mrs Rabon goes well above and beyond for the students. Pace academy has changed our lives by giving an opportunity to children who learn differently from others have a chance to be successful instead of overlooked. Mrs Rabon makes sure every student is treated fairly and has a bond with each and every student if anybody deserves this it’s Mrs Rabon/Pace Academy.
Melissa's been in my life for 25 years now & I've seen her do many wonderful things in that time. Being a mommy who fought for her children was one of the greatest! That personal battle opened up a world of possibilities that she saw there was a great need that others had as well. She went into action and opened a school where students get all the tools they need to be successful... this school changed lives... life changer of the year... talk about multiple lives changed! This honor is much deserved!
I love Mrs. Rabon she taught my girls and she was always so loving and supports. Plus she have always been supports of my family. She is a very well loving,respectful, and caring person.
What an incredible leader and innovator. She saw a need and fulfilled her dream of providing an excellent education to not only her own children but others as well. She is so deserving of this honor.
Congratulations!!!
This nomination is well deserved.
Melissa Rabon is so deserving of the LifeChanger award. I see her passion for ALL learners on a daily basis and I can promise you she is unwavering in her mission to change as many lives as she can through education and compassion- not only for her students but for everyone who works with her. She would be an exemplary recipient for this award.
Mrs. Rabon has changed our life! My youngest son Struggled through Kindergarten and First grade, unable to read or sound out even simple snap words. I felt so helpless towards the end of first grade we learned he had Dyslexia and shortly after I learned of PACE academy. I’m only a few short months my sons reading has improved so much and his light is so much brighter. He truly enjoys going to school, I used to have to drag him into the building. I can’t thank this women enough for creating such an amazing school for kids like my son!
Life changer is an understatement! My son who was formerly homeschooled looks forward to each day. What a blessing this is to our family and our community!
Without Melissa Rabon, or son would have continued to fall behind in school just because of his reading struggles. We are extremely thankful for her and all of her hard work to make PACE Academy a safe place for hundreds of children in our area. She truly cares for the education and well-being of all the students.
Mrs.Rabon goes above and beyond to help the children and the families get all the support they can. She definitely cares about the child's education!
Mrs. Rabon has done something truly remarkable. Starting a school from the ground up is no easy feat and what she has done for so many kids with a pressing need is amazing. She is to be applauded for her unwavering commitment to build a better education for all kids.
By creating a loving and safe environment with her vision put into action, Melissa Rabon has helped develop my child into one who has self confidence. You see, for a dyslexic, the world of reading and writing is processed differently then non dyslexics. Not only can this cause major challenges with reading and writing but also with emotional and social health as our children can feel “stupid” and “dump”. All of which is very far from the truth! By giving my son a safe environment where dyslexia is celebrated, seen as a “superpower,” acknowledged openly and compassionately he has excepted himself as a incredible, intelligent 7 year old. PACE Academy has changed not only the course of my son’s life but offered our family a place of acceptance and support through very confusing times with academics! Thank you Melissa Rabon for putting your vision of a scientifically proven approach for a great academic environment for struggling readers and dyslexics into action! You have changed our lives!
Mrs. Rabon has been a LifeChanger to my family. My oldest son is Dyslexic and the school has been such a blessing to our family. Mrs. Rabon takes the time for each of her students and I believe she knows each of them personally. She even called me one day just to let me know that my middle child just wasn’t quite acting like himself that day. She sat down with him and talked with him to make sure that everything was OK and then let me know about it. I am so thankful for her!
Mrs. Rabon was my high school teacher. She was an outstanding teacher at that. She always wanted her students succeed and whenever we did we saw how happy it made her and us. Mrs. Rabon is such a caring person and she always put her students first.
Melissa Rabon has definitely changed my life! The school she started has been a God send for our family, so much so that we relocated from Ohio just for this school. What she has brought to my kids and all her staff and students is an opportunity to thrive and shine. My children now have confidence and a love for learning that will alter the course of their lives. Melissa radiates positivity and strength. No one is more deserving of this award.
Mrs. Rabon is a lifechanger because she has created an atmosphere that is 100% about whatever it takes for the student to succeed. We are given the support as teachers to intervene and create academic success for every student. She believes in our abilities and inspires us daily to search each students ultimate potential.
Melissa,
Has not only made a drastic positive impact to our community. She is a leader in education and is making a difference for all South Carolinians!!
Go Melissa!!!! You are so deserving!!
She is a outstanding fantastic person that just wants the best for her students and her own kids. So proud to call her a friend. Melissa so proud of you, you are changing peoples and students lives.
Melissa is beyond deserving of this! She took my son who is a military child and in multiple schools. He was lost in the shuffle. Instantly Melissa recognized his struggle and helped him. The biggest thing is she believed in him when so many didn’t! He is completing his first semester in College. If is wasn’t for Melissa I’m not sure he would have went to college.
I couldn’t think of a better person that deserves this award! God truly blessed us with a awesome leader to change the world for our babies! Such a fantastic, caring, feisty, whole hearted, god fearing woman! The leader we need and deserve ??
Melissa is a beautiful and amazing person inside and out. She started this school for her son but it has grown bigger and better than I think anyone could have imagined. Not only is my daughter flourishing at this school, I became part of the Wolfpack after being a stay at home mom. I have met people that I work with that have changed my life. I wasn’t looking for a job but it found me! Melissa cares so deeply not only for her students but her staff as well. She deserves this award so much!!
Melissa has changed the lives of each child who attends PACE Academy. My granddaughter is now excited about going to school and has learned so much in the short time she's attended the school. I vote wholeheartedly for Mrs. Rabon!
Melissa Rabon is truly a LifeChanger, changing the lives of so many students at PACE Academy. She has created a school where students are able to have learning gaps closed and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in multiple ways using project based learning. Students at our school are learning and thriving, some for the first time, because Melissa has hired out-of-the-box thinking teachers to teach these exceptional out-of-the-box thinking students. Students who hated school now love learning new things and teachers who were ready to leave the field of education have once again found their passion.
Melissa is truly an example of a strong woman and leader. It is because of her bravery that my daughter has a place to shine.
I too am lucky as a teacher to get to learn from her and give my students a safe place to learn and grow.
Melissa has changed my life and my daughter’s in ways that words can not describe.
Melissa is an advocate for children with learning differences. She is a leader and an inspiration!
Melissa, I want to personally thank you for opening your school for children with dyslexia. I am a retired special education teacher that worked with many children who needed specialized instruction with reading and writing. I watched children flourished and succeed with Orton Gillingham instruction. It was the most rewarding experience. I met Hope Koffler a few years ago and tutored her with Wilson (an Orton Gillingham approved program). Hope was very successful with this program and she grew as a reader and writer, however, the public school that she attended was not on board with this specialized instruction and Hope began to lose confidence in herself. It was so hard to watch this happen to my sweet student. Then…. my sweet Hope started Melissa’s school, Pace Academy…and wow!!! Hope gained her confidence back in no time at all!! Thank you Melissa Rabon!! You are an amazing individual and your passion for education is outstanding!!! You deserve to win this contest because of your hard work and the joy that you bring to parents, children and everyone that you educate!!!
I am so thankful that she made it possible for so many kids that have struggled with dyslexia in other schools. This is life changing for these kids to have an environment that helps them learn better and be the most successful student that they can be.
This is an awesome lady who has done so much for our community, county, and State. She started a school that specializes in dyslexia and other educational issues children may have. Such a wonderful example of inclusiveness and caring. Love her so much!
Thanks to Melissa Rabon’s vision and passion our whole family dynamic has changed for the better. Our son hated school and would regularly use sleep to avoid homework or classwork. He is now thriving at PACE. He is an active learner in the classroom often a leader when it comes to any science topic. He is up early and ready to go. We no longer have nights of crying fits over homework or any arguments at all regarding academics. Thanks to Melissa and the vision she and a few people had our children are now excited active learners.
Mrs Rabon is so deserving to nominated and to receive this award. She is one of the most caring and loving person that I know who has a compassion for students with a special need.
My son is a student at pace academy and the school is much needed and has made such a awesome impact on my son.
I am thankful for pace academy and all the staff but most importantly Mrs Rabon for her commitment and dedication to all the students and parents.
What a blessing it is to know that people really do care about these students after all they are our future.
Thanks for all you have done and will continue to do for the students at pace Mrs Rabon
The Boykin family
Mrs. Rabon has saved my child. Before starting at Pace Academy, he had given up. Melissa has turned his life and his academic world around. He looks forward to going to school every day, he is so eager to learn, and the program they have in place has made it to where he is no longer being left behind. He is now being included and graded on his grade level - this would not have been possible without Mrs. Rabon, her wonderful school and the teachers who follow in her footsteps.
She has a kind heart and makes the future look so much brighter for my family and especially my son.
I am so happy to hear that Mrs. Rabon has been nominated! She certainly changed my life and my daughter's life 10 fold. My daughter has been struggling at school due to her learning disability for many years, because of pace and Melissa, My daughter finally is progressing and growing. We also Relocated for this opportunity and I couldn't be more happy that pace exists. It only exists because of Mrs. Rabon's beautiful vision what a wonderful person! Congratulations!!
Melissa gave my son the opportunity to attend school and to believe in the public school system again after homeschooling my son for 2 years with dyslexia and ASD he finally found a place where I see his improvement we love to see that everybody knows him and the teachers greet him and smile at him every morning feels like a big family environment God bless you Melissa thanks for so much.
Melissa is one of the most patient and understanding people I have ever met and I am so appreciative for everything she does to make sure our children get the help they need. She is not just a benefit to the children, but parents as well. She understands how they have struggled and is doing everything she can to prepare them for what's ahead. It's not just a learning environment, but our children enjoy school! She saw a need and worked above and beyond to make a school for dyslexic children not just an idea, but a reality right here in Columbia, SC. She is there early morning and late evenings doing whatever she can. She is even helping the community around the school anyway she can! We appreciate you Melissa, as a mother and a person who truly understands how children learn differently so let's give them what they need to succeed!
She has started a school for our children that were being left behind or push through. They have small to large disabilities and she has made it possible for them to feel safe and confident in their work. I have seen the changes in both my kids. They love the school and for a teenage boy to day that you have done something large. I had two kids who hated school that now don't like to miss
The name of this award is fitting for Mrs. Rabon. She is certainly a Life Changer for my daughter. My daughter has progressed tremendously since being at Pace Academy, and she speaks highly of Mrs. Rabon and says she is “Her best friend” which makes me feel at ease and know I made the right decision to send her to this school. When speaking with Mrs. Rabon you can hear her compassion for the needs of the students, which gives a parent such as myself a sense of reassurance that my child will no longer be left behind in her academics.
Pace Academy has been a huge blessing for my son. He’s finally getting the help and guidance he needs having dyslexia. I spent years begging and pleading for help in the public school system. I always got no where. They said they didn’t know how to teach a child with dyslexia and the best thing was to put him in a self contained class. They just gave up on him. When I saw a post Melissa made about opening a school for dyslexics students I quickly put Jonas on the waiting list. I was in tears when i found out he was chosen to attend. Melissa gave us hope that our child can go to school and feel accepted. He now loves school. He’s getting the kind of help he needs to learn with dyslexia. With Melissa’s passion for this school and helping the children that get lost In the cracks our kids can now feel normal. We need more people like Melissa that’s willing to stand up and fight for our children. I thank God for her strength and courage to fight for this school. If it wasn’t for her my son would continue to get further behind and just passed along.
Melissa is awesome! She truly cares about her students and the community. She is a trailblazer and I am so grateful that she started Pace Academy. I have seen such a tremendous change in my daughter.
I took a big leap of faith with you. That leap was amazing. Thank you for all you do!
Melissa I am so proud of you and what you do for PACE and for all children! Your strength and determination has truly changed the stigma and outcomes for those with dyslexia, and has helped bring awareness and education to the surface that will continue to grow and expand throughout your lifetime and theirs.
Thank you so much Melissa Robin for putting together the school for children that need that extra help in that one-on-one attention in the community it is a real blessing that God LED you to do this and your blessings are not going to stop coming
Melissa is an amazing dedicated professional who refuses to stand back and let children be failed. She has created a groundbreaking inclusive school that will lead SC into the next century.
I can’t say enough good things about Melissa. Our daughter Hope was full of anxiety and having meltdowns when going to a public school in Horry County. The school system there failed our daughter. Due to Hope’s circumstances Melissa accepted Hope into PACE Academy. Melissa was very welcoming when we got to PACE. She made Hope and us feel at ease right from the start. Hope has become a different child. She has her confidence back, she eats breakfast now which may not seem like a huge thing but it is. Hope could not eat breakfast before due to being anxious and throwing up when she went to the public school in Horry County. Hope was so excited when she had her first test at PACE and got a good grade. Hope knew she truly earned the grade she got. It was not just given to her. We are so blessed that Melissa and PACE Academy came into our lives. We have our daughter back. We have the smile back on our daughter that had disappeared. Our daughter will ask to go to school and likes to get there early in the morning. My family is grateful that Melissa started PACE. We would not be where we are right now with our daughter without Melissa and PACE Academy.
When most people see problems in the system, they just give up, walk away or ignore it. Melissa refused to give up on students regardless of their label, socioeconomic status, family life or any other adverse childhood factors. When the education system in South Carolina insisted inclusion and ambitious outcomes in public schools were not possible, she decided to start a school and show them it could be done. She has assembled Amazing team of educators, Community leaders and parents that are working together to create a unique experience never seen before in the state of South Carolina. I am humbled and amazed at what she has been able to create.
She's an amazing leader and friend. Our Wolfpack loves her and our mission to change lives together
