Ms. Clifford is a new teacher here at Griffith. She specializes in Intense Needs/Special Education with children in grades sixth to eighth. As a Special Education teacher, she teaches regular school subjects like English and math, while taking care of her students who stay with her all day. This is her eleventh year of teaching, and she has dedicated the majority of her life helping youth with disabilities. She has worked at Campagna Academy, Kankakee Valley, River Forest, seven years at Hammond, and now Griffith.

For most of her life, Ms. Clifford knew that she wanted to pursue a career in teaching or nursing. Over seventeen years ago, she picked her path when her eldest daughter had some struggles in school, and as her kids started getting older, she decided to go back to school for teaching. She attended online courses at Ashford University (now UAGC) and received an Undergraduate of Social Sciences degree and a Master of Special Education degree.

When Ms. Clifford isn’t teaching, she loves to spend time with her family, likes to cook, and likes to go shopping to de-stress. As a word of advice, she says, “I just think that people need to find what they’re passionate about to do in life because if you enjoy what you’re doing, then you don’t feel like you’re going to work, and enjoy what you do every day. I really love working with students in Special Needs.”

If you see her around the school, say hello!