Oak Trace Elementary School teacher Jill Graff has touched the lives of countless families across the district. Graff has taught development preschool since the school opened in 2000, and the stories of her sheer commitment to the job ring every day.
A long-time Westfield resident, Graff has three children, all graduated from Westfield High School several years prior. Graff said that she has wanted to be a teacher since she was young.
“When I worked in a children’s nursing home, I saw the potential so many children have that never had a chance at education,” Graff said. “We know every student has that potential.”
Westfield resident and parent Steffani Harrell has seen Graff’s impact first-hand. Harrell said that Graff eases minds, heals hearts and gives hope, all thanks in part to her approach to special needs children.
“My son wasn’t talking, and we were worried.” Harrell said. “(The school) had recommended development preschool. It was a daunting experience, but once we met Mrs. Graff, we knew we were in the right place.”
Harrell said after she returned home one day, her son was spelling out Graff’s name. That was when she knew.
“He is in kindergarten now,” Harrell said, “but I want all of my kids in Mrs. Graff’s classroom.”
Examples of Graff’s tireless efforts to support the community are backed up by several parents and faculty across the district.
“Yearly the class has a field trip planned to Stoney Creek Pumpkin farm,” Harrell said. “Just moments before the trip, (Graff) found out her best friend, neighbor and fellow Oak Trace teacher Mrs. Karen Zabst lost her battle to pancreatic cancer.”
The news left Graff shattered just moments before the field trip began.
“She cried and mourned hard those few moments before the bus needed to be loaded for our trip,” Harrell said. “But somehow, she powered through with that beautiful, calming smile on her face. I cannot imagine the pain she was going through as she corralled high energy preschoolers through the morning and afternoon class trips.”
Graff said the work she does is a team effort, and without her assistants she would be lost.
“My two teaching assistants, they give me 110 percent,” Graff said. “From the therapist, to our bus driver and families all the way around. (We) are supported inside the classroom in so many ways.”
A peer program allows peers to mentor those with special needs inside the classroom, something that Harrell said has helped her son and others gain confidence at the very beginning of their education experience.
“My own daughter had a disability and was in her classroom at age three,” Principal Robin Lynch said. “The first words that come to mind about Jill is compassion and caring. It takes a very special person to do her job.”
Robin’s daughter Shelby said Graff was a key part of guiding her through portions of her early education.
“(Her class) was really relaxing,” Shelby said. “When I was younger, I never wanted to leave her classroom.”
Shelby, now a Westfield High School junior, said she often comes back to Oak Trace to help Graff inside the classroom.
“Regardless of a disability a student may have, she goes above and beyond,” Robin said. “She is very patient. Children grow in her care.”
Graff said that teaching children young can pay significant dividends in the future.
“I am very humbled, I want to create a place for all of my students to be comfortable,” Graff said. “I want them to have a love for school.”
For Harrell, she will forever be thankful that her life and the lives of dozens have been shaped indefinitely by one person.
“She has left a mark on my kids and entire family, one person can change our lives,” Harrell said. “It takes a village and ours is led by Mrs. Jill Graff.”
Returning to lead
WHS junior Kendall Wilkes was once in Oak Trace Elementary teacher Jill Graff’s class and has returned to the elementary for her WHS leadership program. The leadership class connects high schoolers with younger children who help with tutoring and daily activities. Wilkes volunteers nearly every day during her fifth period class in a fourth-grade class and a kindergarten class. She’s confident without the help of Graff, she would be nowhere near her goals.
“My parents tell me that when I first went to Mrs Graff’s class, I was very withdrawn and quiet, I hardly ever spoke,” Wilkes said. “This caused great concern to my parents at the time.”
After “graduating” from Graff’s class, Wilkes said her parents now complain that she never stops talking.
“Mrs. Graff taught me to be more confident in myself, which enabled me to interact more with others and become a better learner.” Wilkes said. “I love seeing their faces light up when they finally finish something that they worked really hard on, they’re always really proud and excited to show me.”
