Donna Oakley
Complex needs/ Special Education
RCSHS Archery Coach
Special Olympics Coach/Coordinator for Rowan County Schools
Rodburn Elementary 91 Christy Creek
Morehead KY 40351
1-606-784-3000
email: donna.oakley@rowan.kyschools.us
My name is Donna Oakley. I'm a complex needs teacher at Rodburn Elementary. I specialize in teaching students with Autism. I love working with such unique individuals and I’m truly blest to be able to share each day with my students.
I graduate from Rowan County Senior High School in 1990. I attended MSU and received my BA in Education for both Special Education (MMD) and regular education K-4 and completed my Rank 2 in regular education. I began my teaching career at Morehead Elementary in 1996 and then moved within a few years to Rodburn Elementary school. Special education is my passion. I love working with special needs students!
I’m married to Chris Oakley and we have been married for 28years. Chris is a fire fighter and EMT. He works for Lexington Fire Department and part time with Rowan County EMS. We have three wonderful children (Summar, Christopher, and Jazlyn) who all have or currently attend schools in Rowan County School District. Summar Oakley graduated from RCSHS in 2016 and she is currently attends MSU. She is following in my footsteps and soon will have her own classroom. Christopher Oakley graduated from RCSHS in 2017 and he is currently working on the pipeline. Jazlyn is 17 years old and she is a Senior at RCSHS. She is on the archery team, love animals, and currently working in my classroom through the high school job program. I became a grandma on August 4th to a beautiful baby girl. Brylee Ann looks just like her mommy, Summar, and I love spending time with her. As a family, we love spending time with each other traveling when we can or just working on the farm.
Through the National Archery in the Schools Program, I have received my (BAI) certification to teach archery. I’m the Archery Coach at RCSHS. This sport is I started at the high school seven years ago. I love coaching this sport and both bullseye and 3D.
I have been the coach/coordinator for Rowan County Special Olympics for over 25. Also, I’m the book keeper, coordinator, and fundraiser programmer for Special Olympics for Rowan County’s current students and graduate students with special needs who qualify for the program. Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities eight years and older. We have a great partnership with Morehead City Police Department. The Department supports us each year with their annual benefit for us and for a great send off to State Games.
One of my great passions was to get Project Lifesaver program up and running in Rowan County. Project lifesaver primary mission is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders. Project Lifesaver technology is a small personal transmitter (which can be worn around an ankle or wrist) which emits an individualized tracking signal. If a registered client goes missing, the caregiver notifies their local Project Lifesaver agency, and a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer’s area. After, one of my parents brought this wonderful program to my attention we began working on fundraiser’s to promote the program. After having many Autism Awareness walks at Rodburn Elementary and two city wide Autism Awareness walks we raised the money to get the program started. Local fire departments, police departments, and many citizens donated money to get the program and training beginning in August of 2010. As a member of the Rowan County Project Lifesaver committee, I continue to have Autism Awareness walks, other fundraiser, and continue to bring awareness to this program. The clients are continuing to grow and if you know anyone who would benefit from the program contact Danny Blevins or Tony Copper at Rowan County EMS or email me.