By Sithini Chea

Two weeks ago, a survey was sent out in the butterknife asking students to choose their favorite teacher — one who has worked diligently and has gone above and beyond to ensure students’ success during  September. Ms. Erin Greenway won overwhelmingly with 35.1% of the votes. Congratulations to Ms. Greenway!!!

Ms. Greenway, the performing arts/theater teacher who directs all of the plays, is grateful to have won Teacher of the Month. 

“It means so much,” Ms. Greenway said. “We do so many things in our department that take up a lot of time and energy, emotions, and commitment, and to know that they appreciate me as much as I appreciate them, it’s very rewarding.”

Ms. Greenway cherishes the bond she forms with her students and feels satisfied and pleased with the impact of her teaching. 

“[I love] connecting with the students, watching how what [I’m] teaching students impacts them in a positive just as a person and watching that spark in their eye when they’re on stage and fall in love with the arts,” Ms. Greenway said.

Ms. Greenway also emphasized the importance of students having a safe space. 

“I try to create a home for everyone to feel safe here in the theater,” Ms. Greenway said. “I always talk about how we’re not just an ensemble, we’re a family. Everyone should feel safe in this environment and feel safe to be themselves but also to be able to take risks when they’re on stage and to explore different things as an artist.”

She believes that the key to her students’ success in their craft is to ensure they feel appreciated and feel like they belong in the theater community. 

“By encouragement, positive reinforcement, making sure that they feel seen and heard and they know that no matter what they can always come to me,” Ms. Greenway said. “I just want [my students] to know that I’m here for them, not just as their theater teacher, but as a mentor.”

In the survey, students also responded with a few words about why they appreciate Ms. Greenway. Ms. Greenway is fulfilling her goals as a teacher since her students love her so much. 

Vanathi Parthiban ‘25 values feeling understood in the theater environment that Ms. Greenway creates. 

“She’s always very understanding and I enjoy her classes and the comfortable, accepting environment she creates,” Vanathi said. 

Elizabeth Gore ‘25 acknowledges that Ms. Greenway goes above and beyond the essential qualifications as a teacher. 

“[She is] the most incredible teacher at Woodward,” Elizabeth said. “Ms. Greenway works so hard to make our shows amazing and is the kindest, most supportive human in the process.”