Unlocking life's lessons: Prison teacher pens book he hopes will help others to succeed

By JANE MCBRIDE

April, 19, 2008

How will you be remembered? What legacy will you leave?

Jim Copeland III long ago sought his answers to the questions he routinely asks each of the inmate students in his special education classes at Beaumont's Federal Corrections Complex.

"To encourage, support, and inspire people to use the gifts and talents God has placed within them," Copeland recited. "To find a place of need in society, or even in one's personal life, and fill that need. To take risks. To be fervent. To never give up."

At 27, Copeland, of Beaumont, recently published a book that defines his goals and encourages others to do the same.

"Life is a Game" (Living Waters Publishing Company, 60 pgs., $17) is an inspirational book targeting people who need "exhortation and encouragement," according to Copeland. The book is scheduled to be available in local book stores on April 30.

As special education coordinator, Copeland rotates among the facilities in the federal correctional complex in Jefferson County, teaching inmates who qualify under the Americans With Disabilities Act, are continuing educational plans already in place, who have psychological issues or are illiterate. As wards of the government, some are there not because they want to be, but because they are told to be.

"Most people don't like working with incarcerated people, going to a prison every day with people who have committed a variety of offenses. A lot of people are scared to go into that type of environment," Copeland said about the federal inmates.

To teach adults with special needs, Copeland draws from his years of teaching kids, including a stint at the Plano Independent School District, teaching kids mostly from the non-affluent side of the city.

"I loved it. I was able to help kids meet their individual goals and find a sense of accomplishment," Copeland said. "With special education students, their drive and their passion is to be with their peers. Most students don't want to be isolated. My goal was to get them to grade level."

Many of his students had documented behavioral problems and diagnoses such as emotional disturbances, autism and learning disabilities. The bigger the student's challenge, the more challenged and fulfilled Copeland became.

"Severe behavioral disorder was my niche," he said. "The students had a lot of energy and needed to develop coping strategies. I loved the fact that I could work with kids no one wanted to work with. The ones who are most rowdy often are the one who have the most need."

While the job was fulfilling, Copeland had to learn how to leave the sadness of the student's problems behind.

"You can be disappointed when they made a bad choice, but it doesn't mean they will make a bad choice tomorrow. You have to encourage and support them regardless of the choices they make," Copeland said.

Teaching in prison

Challenges were multiplied when Copeland took the job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for a better salary to support his wife and two children.

Eric Williams, a certified jailer with the Hunt County Sheriff's Department, met Copeland when they were students at Texas A&M at Commerce.

Copeland has a big heart, said Williams, adding that he was worried when he heard Copeland would be working in federal prisons. Williams has since changed his mind.

"He adjusted to his surroundings, and that's what you have to do in this type of occupation. It can take a toll and wear on you. But he is excited about it. He's learned not to bring the job home."

Williams said the traits he sees in Copeland have served him well in his career.

"He's a hard worker. He's very intelligent, very motivated. He loves to learn. But he doesn't try to instill his beliefs onto others. He will give advice - alternatives to think about - and leave it at that. He won't say, 'This is what you need to do.' He lets a person think about what's best for them."

It's easy to be judgmental about inmates, Copeland said, and understandable in people whose lives have been torn apart by crime. He doesn't avoid or downplay the effects the crimes have on others.

"It would be easy to look at the things they've done and pass judgment. But they've already been judged."

Copeland said he tries to get his student inmates to look at life holistically.

"Their choices affect more than just them. They affect their children and family. I want them to look at their whole life, including after prison. I ask them, 'What kind of legacy will you leave?'"

He knows many inmates won't respond, but he's determined to reach as many as he can.

"A staff can encourage inmates to be the best they can be, leading by example. Integrity, excellence, a good moral foundation - the prison system pushes their staff to have those traits."

Cindy Fussell, program coordinator of special education at Region V Education Service Center in Silsbee, said one of the most important attributes a special education teacher has is a genuine interest in those with special needs.

"The trait that jumps out immediately is caring. And they also value ongoing training for instructional strategies to reach the various needs of people with disabilities, students, on our case. They want the newest information and techniques."

Teachers' goals include helping students attain a General Educational Development.

"Many (inmates) obtain GED certificates or acquire life skills," Susan Chabot, education administrator with the Federal Bureau of Prisons said by e-mail. "Special education teachers ensure their inmates have access to the initial tools and resources needed for a path of life-long learning."

Family value system

Copeland was born into a military family filled with discipline and drive. His father, Jim Copeland Jr. is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and a doctor of psychology. Both of his parents hold graduate degrees.

His brother, Daniel, 25, leaves for Iraq on Monday.

Copeland's family moved 27 times; he attended three high schools before accepting an athletics scholarship to Texas A&M at Commerce, where he earned a degree in speech/ communications.

"It was something I was good at," he said. "If you're really good at something and passionate about it, the sky's the limit."

Copeland's parents pushed education and personal excellence. His father said he recognized early on that his oldest son would be a communicator in some way.

"He was always getting into trouble at school for talking too much," Copeland Jr. laughed.

In elementary school, Copeland encouraged others, "regurgitating" what he had heard at home.

"He found himself in small leadership roles, both formal and informal. As we chatted with teachers, they began to tell us how inspiring he was to other kids," his father said.

While in high school, kids began to gravitate to his son, the senior Copeland said, and saw something in him worth emulating.

"He just inspires others to be better than their circumstances," Copeland Jr. said.

Success is available for those who "push, push, push through adversity" because they have a goal, Copeland said.

For him, success is clearly defined.

"True success is when you look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and know you've given it all your all - and you are at peace."