Anybody walking through Huntington Hall or attending a School of Education event this year has probably seen or met Jared Khan-Bagley ‘22. His presence and demeanor is a model for any student and future educator. He’s friendly, approachable, and finds joy in supporting and mentoring other students. As well as these qualities will serve him in his professional endeavors – which he already has mapped out – Jared is already using his talents to make an impact on the Syracuse campus community.
Currently in his second year at Syracuse, Jared is in the inclusive elementary special education program. It was during a first year field placement requirement for SPE 311 that Jared met InclusiveU students, and learned about the Peer2Peer program that pairs matriculated Syracuse University students with students attending SU through InclusiveU.
“It was an instant connection,” he says, “Meeting a whole group of individuals who love interaction – so do I.”
Now, Jared has taken the lead as a section facilitator for an InclusiveU seminar called “Hot Topics,” and also serves as a trainer for the Peer2Peer program.
“Jared is such an asset to our InclusiveU community,” says Beth Myers, Lawrence B. Taishoff Professor of Inclusive Education and Executive Director of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education. “He has such a natural give and take to his relationships, and he sees the mutual benefits of inclusion. His values, his passion, and his dedication are so critical to making our peer partnerships work.”
Teaching has always been Jared’s passion, and when Syracuse University offered him a full scholarship, it was an easy decision to go Orange. Within the School of Education, he says, “I fell in love with the strict academic requirements, and the immediate fieldwork placements.”
Jared grew up in an all-female household in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. His upbringing by “strong, opinionated women that have different passions,” taught him to value all knowledge and listen to multiple perspectives, challenging him to define his own position on certain issues.
For example, Jared believes in more “traditional” educational practices, and he thinks educators should be more disciplined in reinforcing student objectives, goals, and classroom management. “I love setting high expectations and standards for myself in order to succeed,” he says, “Students need teachers who are loving but believe in their overall success through setting goals and expectations that allow them to achieve, especially students who identify as having a disability. That is the reason I became interested in the field of [special] education.”
After he completes the inclusive undergraduate program, Jared intends to complete a master’s degree in inclusive special education (7-12 generalist), and then a Ph.D. in educational leadership. In his career, he would like to work as a primary and secondary special education teacher, a secondary education school principal, and a correctional teacher. He says that a career outside of education simply would not be an option. “There wouldn’t be life for the Jared,” he says. “This is my life-long passion and nothing can change it.”
Jared is committed to his academics and to InclusiveU, but he budgets his time and energy to give equally to other commitments on campus, including his role as a residential advisor for Kimmel, Marion, and Walnut Halls. Additionally, he is a SOE Undergraduate Peer Advisors in the School of Education and makes an effort to check on his first-year peers regularly.
When Jared can find free time, he enjoys cultural events at La Casita, plays at Syracuse Stage, and building his library of children’s books. “I’m currently formulating ideas to write my own children’s book,” he says. Until then, his “go-to” activities are playing poker, watching Judge Judy, and eating French fries.
Jared is grateful for his place at Syracuse, and is determined not to let any opportunities go unexplored.
“I love what I do and where I am,” he says. “I take all of the opportunities offered to me. If I fail, I fail, but I cannot say I didn’t try…and that’s how I continue to succeed.”