Big Rapids Public Schools is excited to welcome Melissa Griffith as a new fifth-grade teacher at Big Rapids Middle School! With a wide range of educational experiences, a passion for helping students succeed, and a familiar connection to Big Rapids, Mrs. Griffith is excited to join the Cardinal family.
Mrs. Griffith grew up in Barryton and graduated from Chippewa Hills High School before earning her teaching degree from Central Michigan University, where she also completed triple minors in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Child Development. She has continued her professional learning through graduate-level coursework at Ferris State University.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Griffith has built an impressive and diverse background in education. She has worked in an at-risk program in Lansing, a child development center in southern Illinois, and served as a substitute teacher throughout the Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District. After stepping away from education for nearly a decade to work in the optical field, she returned to the classroom, teaching at Eagle Village before spending the past five years as a fourth-grade teacher at Evart Elementary.
Joining Big Rapids Public Schools feels a bit like coming home. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Griffith spent nearly an entire school year as a long-term substitute teacher at Brookside Elementary before serving as a long-term paraprofessional at Big Rapids High School.
"I found the atmosphere at Big Rapids to be very welcoming," she said. "I'm excited to become part of a district that values relationships and supports both students and staff."
Family is at the heart of everything Mrs. Griffith does. She and her husband, Bob, are celebrating 17 years of marriage this year. Their daughter, Avery, will also be starting a new chapter this fall as a student at Big Rapids Middle School. The Griffith family lives in Chippewa Lake and includes two beloved Goldendoodles, Bella and Vader.
Outside of school, Mrs. Griffith enjoys reading, crafting, traveling, and making memories with her family. Every winter, they head to Florida to spend time with her parents, who spend the season there as snowbirds. They're also huge Disney fans and love visiting the parks whenever they can. Whether she's planning a Disney adventure or attending a sporting event, Mrs. Griffith enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.
As she prepares to welcome her fifth-grade students this fall, Mrs. Griffith is excited to build strong relationships, create an engaging classroom, and help students grow academically, socially, and personally.
Please join us in giving Mrs. Griffith a warm Cardinal welcome to Big Rapids Middle School and Big Rapids Public Schools!