Autism Advocate Runs NYC Marathon to Inspire Students
Zahraa Boussi crossed the finish line of the iconic New York City Marathon with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. But beyond achieving a personal milestone, Boussi had a bigger mission in mind: to show her students with autism that anything is possible through dedication and perseverance.
Boussi, an autism spectrum disorder coach at Mixter Institute in Lincoln Park, was one of 50 educators nationwide selected from about 4,000 applicants to participate in the TCS New York City Marathon as part of a program honoring teachers. Crossing the finish line on November 3rd, she achieved a time of 5:01:41, placing 40,750th out of roughly 55,530 runners.
“My hope is to inspire my students to believe that with determination and heart they can achieve anything they set their minds to,” Boussi said. “I believe my role as a social worker is to help individuals strive for progress, which may require many steps. Each step, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goals. Just as I encourage my students to believe in themselves and their potential, I channel that same belief into every mile I run, proving that with hard work and dedication, we can achieve the extraordinary.”
Boussi’s marathon journey wasn’t born out of a lifelong passion for running. She initially took up the sport as a way to get in shape. But in 2020 and 2021, her life took a series of unexpected turns. She lost her father to COVID-19, welcomed her son into the world, and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Running became more than just exercise; it became a source of strength and resilience.
“During that difficult time, running became more than just exercise,” Boussi said. “Many of my students face challenges with verbal communication and emotional regulation, yet they persevere with remarkable determination to achieve their goals. Their resilience gives me strength to overcome my own challenges, just as they do with theirs.”
Her decision to run the marathon solidified in 2023, six months into remission from her cancer.
Mixter Institute Principal Robyn Castle was a driving force behind Boussi’s success.
“Zahraa has been a true inspiration to our entire Mixter family, including our students, staff and families,” Castle said. “Her drive to succeed and achieve her personal goals serves as a model for our students to thrive in our classrooms and prepare for the next phases of their lives.”
Castle’s encouragement motivated Boussi to stay committed to her training plan and ultimately cross the finish line in New York City. Boussi’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can overcome any obstacle. And her message to her students? Believe in yourself, take it one step at a time, and never give up on your dreams.
How did participating in the TCS New York City Marathon program impact Zahraa Boussi’s teaching philosophy?
## Running for Inspiration: An Interview with Zahraa Boussi
**(Host):** Welcome back to the show. Today, we have a truly inspiring guest, Zahraa Boussi, an autism spectrum disorder coach at Mixter Institute in Lincoln Park. Zahraa, you recently completed the TCS New York City Marathon – congratulations!
**(Zahraa):** Thank you so much! It was an incredible experience.
**(Host):** What drove you to take on this challenge?
**(Zahraa):** Beyond the personal challenge of running a marathon, my main goal was to send a message to my students, many of whom have autism.
**(Host):** How so?
**(Zahraa):** I want them to see that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible. Just like training for a marathon involves taking one step at a time, achieving our goals requires consistent effort and believing in ourselves.
**(Host):** You were one of only 50 teachers selected nationwide to participate in this marathon program. What was that experience like?
**(Zahraa):** It was truly an honor. Being surrounded by so many passionate educators, all striving to make a difference in the lives of their students, was incredibly inspiring.
**(Host):** What message do you hope your students take away from your accomplishment?
**(Zahraa):** I want them to know that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Limitations are often self-imposed, and with dedicated effort and belief in themselves, they can overcome any obstacle.
**(Host):** That’s a powerful message, Zahraa. Thank you for sharing your story and for being such a wonderful role model for your students.
**(Zahraa):** Thank you for having me.
