Martin Jacobsen, High School for Arts, Imagination, and Inquiry

There’s not much a kid can do to shock Martin Jacobson, the legendary soccer coach at the High School for Arts, Imagination, and Inquiry located in midtown Manhattan. Jacobson’s turbulent life and remarkable transition has made him an ideal mentor for lonely, struggling teenagers in need of a positive role model.

Martin (nicknamed Jake), who now works as a Guidance Counselor and Dean, was initially apprehensive about the initiative to turn large urban high schools into smaller communities.

But he was soon won over. “Knowing every kid in the school really helps and our dropout rate has decreased tremendously because of the attention given to each kid. We are able to individualize their needs.” This has been particularly helpful with the large numbers of immigrant children who attend the school, most of whom speak no or little English upon arrival.  

“The kids could never get that kind of individual attention in a large comprehensive high school,” he adds. “Sometimes in a big school a teacher may see a student only in math class, but in our school the teacher sees that student in math, then in the hallway, and then perhaps after school as well. I get to know the good and bad, the ups and downs of almost every kid here.”

Martin, a burly, 61-year-old, Long Island native, was taught soccer by a Brazilian Holocaust survivor. He is particularly well positioned to help needy youngsters attain their goals, as his own life once looked despairingly bleak. Twenty years ago, while living in New Mexico, Martin faced significant personal trials and setbacks. He describes his life as “chaotic and unmanageable,” but after returning to New York he worked as a cab driver and got his life on track.

He got a job teaching emotionally disturbed adolescents in East Harlem and became completely focused on making a positive impact. “Knowing you have a path and a direction and a goal makes you succeed. If we can instill that into children we can go somewhere. I put my energies into making their lives better.”

Martin uses his own life’s story of overcoming obstacles as an inspiration to others. He insists on firm discipline in the classroom and on the soccer field. He says he is continually inspired by the children he teaches. A documentary has been made about his life and he is in discussions about publishing a book.

“We all make mistakes,” he says. “Since I’m the king of mistakes, you have to realize that kids always make mistakes. So I help them correct their errors and go forward with their lives. No one is perfect on this planet.  If I hadn’t had a tumultuous past I wouldn’t be what I am and understand what I understand. There is no substitute for age and wisdom. These kids need to know that if you follow the right path your life will get better. I try to instill that into my students and athletes.”

Martin, who has led his soccer team to victory at numerous city championships, says he tries to impart inner strength to his young charges. “How do you win a championship? There are 110 teams in this city. You have to get into their hearts and souls and bring out that belief in themselves. Playing soccer is about getting a better life.”