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Working for a living is nothing new to most adults. Many follow the blueprint that their parents and grandparents laid out for them. However, finding employment that you can really sink your teeth into and make a career of is not a small task.
The latter played out for Karen Griess over the past four decades as she served Aurora Public Schools (APS) students and families in a variety of roles throughout the district. After 40 years — yes, you read that correctly — and countless adjustments in the K-12 education world, Griess will retire from APS this year to begin the next exciting chapter of her life.
Not bad for someone who was just looking for a role that would allow her to be a full-time working mom.
“I needed a part-time job where I could be home for our young children after school,” Griess said.“ The hours and days worked and my days off matched the kids’ schedules. So it was great to be home with my kids.”
Starting out as an aide/paraprofessional, Griess spent close to 30 years working with students at Kenton Elementary School. She also served as an education assistant in the media center at Kenton before moving on to other support roles for another six years at Crawford Elementary School. The last several years have seen her as an evening custodian at Aurora Hills Middle School and a utility custodian across APS.
Reflecting on her career, Griess is confident that much of her experience behind the scenes truly made an impact on the community she was proud to call home.
“My job helped support students by making sure their school was a place where learning could happen without distractions,” she said. “My focus was on consistency, safety and doing my job well so students and staff could focus on teaching and learning.”
Griess said part of her motivation was to show students that consistency, kindness and pride in a person’s work make a difference.
“I hope what rubbed off on students and their families is the understanding that schools employ people who genuinely care. If you show up every day being respectful, working hard will
take you a long way in life,” she expressed.
Griess also enjoyed meeting lots of amazing people along the way, many of whom helped her continue this line of work until retirement. Her relationships with fellow colleagues will remain a bright spot in her heart due to the positive influence they worked to establish over the years.
As she readies herself for vacations, time with her grandchildren and additional perks of retirement, Griess wants those coming behind her to remember to always put their best foot forward and set positive examples.
“Take pride in not only your work, but also your actions and your words,” Griess said. Make someone smile every day.”
Thank you to Griess and all APS 2026 retirees for your service to the Aurora Public Schools community!