When Special Education Teacher Gregory Rouse isn’t spending his time with students in the classroom, he can be found putting just as much passion into making music.

“I used to organize Random Acts of Music (going to various locations and playing a song or two) a while back,” said Rouse. “ The students all really seemed to enjoy them, and it was fun seeing them so excited about playing.”

Rouse often organizes acoustic jam sessions, which coincide with the Random Acts of Music. The acoustic jam sessions aren’t all that Rouse has brought to the musical community. He began playing ukulele after visiting the Old Town School of Folk Music, a passion that has stayed with him since.

Rouse never had any plans to start playing ukulele and, in fact, he never even had any plans to start teaching special education.

When Rouse was in college, he needed more money to continue with his education. A friend of his was working at a children’s special needs facility, Larkin’s Home for Children, and got Rouse a job working there. Rouse came to really enjoy working with the children and decided to go back to school to pursue a career teaching special education.

Rouse is known also to have a very strong connection with the students he coaches in tennis. In fact, some of the students he previously coached often come visit.

The bond he creates with the students remains long after their seasons end.

“I’m definitely planning on visiting Coach Rouse after I graduate,” says Emily Fenn, a student he coaches on the varsity girls tennis team.

Rouse radiates happiness whether he is walking the halls of HEHS, playing music, or coaching tennis, which no doubt will continue leaving a lasting impression on the students he teaches.