Tim’s 35 Years of Service to Elim

October 20, 2025

When you picture someone who is immensely dedicated to their work and the people you serve, spending countless hours connecting with students and families, and making sure staff members are feeling seen and valued, Tim Griffin is the person who will come to mind. For the past 35 years, he has been dedicated to Elim’s mission, serving in a variety of different roles, and ultimately helping shape the future of Elim.

He began his career working as a paraprofessional in Geneva, Illinois. Elim called him during the school year and offered him a job as a high school teacher. But his role didn’t end there—from bus driver to weekend security in Elim’s old dorm building, Kamp Cottage, Tim wore many different hats.

“Working at Elim really opened my eyes,” Tim shares. “Out of the spectrum of offerings in special education, Elim is just a place that really meets a niche.”

After 17 years of teaching, he decided that he wanted to move into a Leadership position. At that time, Elim was creating Assistant Principal positions to oversee each program, and Tim was the perfect fit to be the AP of High School. But once Kamp Cottage closed and there were no longer students living in dorms on Elim’s campus, that building became the house for our transitional program, for students between 18-22.

What we now know as Crossroads became the area Tim would oversee for the next 18 years as the Assistant Principal. And here is a fun fact—Tim came up with the program name Crossroads himself!

He didn’t plan on staying at Elim for another 18 years. He only envisioned himself as a teacher at Elim for two years, and then he would move on to other schools.

When asked what made him stay, Tim shared this: “Elim is really the students’ school. They have their own prom, they have their own dances, they have their ‘own, own, own’. And sometimes being integrated into a regular school setting, they can be a part of a school that other people really own. Other students own those schools, but this is really theirs, and that is really what has made me think ‘I want to stay’”.

Over the past 35 years, Tim has had countless memories that he’s treasured. “I celebrate the little things because they are HUGE to us!”

From a student holding a door for another student, or a young student vocalizing for the first time, these little wins have left a lasting impact on him. But Elim’s first prom stands out as a core memory—Tim remembers how happy the students were, enjoying time with their friends outside of school and dancing the night away.

“Our students really know how to celebrate life and have fun. They just come with all of who they are.”

Connecting with his staff and having an open-door policy is also important to Tim – he wants his staff to know that he is available for them, and no matter what problems they may face in the workplace, they can get through it together. From monthly meetings with his teachers and paras, to meeting frequently with other staff on the school leadership team, having that collaborative problem solving is key to making sure everyone at Elim succeeds.

“If I know my staff feel like my office is a place they can come and not feel like they always have to have it together every minute of the day, then they serve the students better.”

His attitude is a reflection on what makes Elim special. We have staff that show up, give their all, and know that our students and adults will reach their God-given potential.

Tim has helped shape Elim into a place where everyone belongs, and he’s still showing up every day with a deep commitment to serve his community that has become like a second home.

Because of your generosity, our adults receive the tools and resources that they need to thrive. Can you give today and equip over 400 students and adults at Elim to pursue their God-given potential?