No one taught Ivalee Sinclair how to be an advocate for special-education children.

She did what came naturally when her son was having trouble in school reading and memorizing his multiplication tables.

That was 40 years ago. And while her son is grown up and successful, she's still helping lead the charge for fair education for students with disabilities. She goes to the Legislature and advocates for improved laws and rules, and works at the Community Children's Council, a group she helped create in 1995.

For her contributions, Sinclair is one of five Jefferson Award winners who will be honored on April 2.

"I became my son's advocate, and through him, I learned what to do to help people with learning disabilities," Sinclair said. "Things that were unheard of before are now common and we now have services well beyond what I ever dreamed of.

"I was just driven."

At 79 years old and suffering from macular degeneration in one eye, she remains driven.

"She has a remarkable history of helping our special-needs families in the Department of Education system," said Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka, another longtime volunteer in the school system, who co-nominated Sinclair for this year's Jefferson Award.

"She educates people all the time on how to advocate for yourself," Murakami-Akatsuka said. "I wanted her to get recognized for all she's done. She walks with you. She's not there for herself."

Sinclair said she takes great pleasure when the system works for a family and she sees the community working together.

"It makes up for all the times that it doesn't work," she said. "I believe that all children are part of our community and they need recognition. They have a value in our community."