Kayla Jaffe is a new special education teacher here at West, teaching mostly math classes. Ms. Jaffe teaches Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Study Methods. Ms. Jaffe “started to enjoy math class when [she] had a really great teacher who made it fun and broke it down for [her],” and she “[hopes] to do the same for [her] students” at West. She is thrilled “to see her [students’] hard work [pay] off [when] they have learned something new.” Previously, at Taft High School, Ms. Jaffe taught mainly science classes. Regardless of the subject matter, Ms. Jaffe is passionate about teaching, “wanting to be a teacher ever since [she] was in elementary school [because she] had some really great teachers who influenced [her] in becoming a special education teacher.” She pursued this field at Illinois State University, where she earned a bacholers’ degree in special education, and American College of Education, where she earned a master’s degree in education. Despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19, Ms. Jaffe appreciates that “the staff and students are so welcoming,” making her transition to West very smooth.