For Jared Greiff, a special education teacher at Malden High, helping students learn means understanding that not everyone learns in the same way. A lesson that makes sense to one student might require a different explanation for another.
“The students I work with work very hard and sometimes just need things to be explained a little differently,” said Greiff.
Sometimes students need more individual attention, a little extra patience, or a new way to approach a problem. After about 14 years in special education, Greiff continues to find purpose in helping students overcome those challenges.
His path into education began with working as a coach for adults with special needs. He spent about a year, during which he discovered how meaningful it could be to help others.
“I realized that I was interested in work and that I felt like I was doing something that was actually helping people,” Greiff noted.
That experience drew Greiff towards special education. He enjoyed teaching people new things and supporting them when they needed help. Over time, what began as an interesting job became a career spanning multiple school districts.
Now in his first year at Malden High, Greiff has found that working with smaller groups of students is one of the most rewarding parts of his teaching experience. In his numeracy class, he has more opportunities to work closely with students and give them the attention they need.
“I like working with smaller groups because it’s easier to give students more individualized attention,” he said. “This is much more difficult to do in larger groups.”
That individual attention matters because, as Greiff sees it, difficulty understanding a lesson does not necessarily mean a student is not trying. Students put effort into their work, but sometimes the way a concept is explained makes all the difference. Finding another way to teach something can help a student move forward.
“Most of all, I hope that I made students feel good about themselves,” Greiff added.
His first year at Malden High has brought some challenges, including learning the material for Math 3. However, Greiff said the support of his colleagues has helped him adjust. He stays motivated by remembering that students need help and that everyone has difficult days.
Outside the classroom, Greiff has a strong passion for music. He started playing guitar in high school but soon discovered that he preferred bass. He also enjoys going to concerts, especially metal shows, though his music taste includes hip-hop, jazz, and rock. In his free time, he bikes, reads, watches movies, and spends time with friends.
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