Dawn Frim with two of her students, Scott and Ben. Photo submitted by Erica Benitez.
After 30 years of teaching Special Education in Malden, Dawn Frim is retiring from the Malden Public Schools system. She has been teaching in Malden High School’s Transition Program since 2005, which provides students with disabilities with practical academic skills, life skills and vocational skills through matching activities and lessons to the student’s interests, abilities and learning styles. She has also taught at Beebe, Forestdale and the Early Learning Center. Outside of Malden Public Schools, Frim taught vocational skills for three summers to special needs adults on an army base in Israel and has written two published books.
Frim’s career began at Forestdale in 1987, where she was a paraprofessional for two years. She says that “[she] has taught at every school [she] attended as a student: Brown Middle School, Lincoln Elementary School and Malden High School.” On her time at MHS, Frim “loves working with 18-22 year olds. It has truly been [her] passion. [Her] years at MHS have been an adventure with countless memories.” She believes that the Transition Program has been successful because “it takes a team effort to make the program work.” Frim also acknowledges that her co-workers, particularly Roger Roy and Anne Ranieri, have contributed to making her time at MHS so wonderful.
On her retirement, Frim believes that it was time for her to start a new chapter in her life. However, she says that “[she] still has a lot of energy and would like to learn new skills.” Although she is saying goodbye to her career, Frim is “still very passionate enthusiastic and passionate about it.” After she retires, Frim plans on working a few days a week as a medical secretary in her son’s office, who is a chiropractic physician.
Leaving Malden High School has been very bittersweet for Frim. She says that “it has been difficult for [her] to say goodbye, since [she] has been teaching for more than half of [her] life.” Being a teacher has allowed Frim to be successful in being flexible, embracing challenges as learning opportunities and having a sense of humor.
