The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program honors and recognizes excellence in the teaching profession by identifying outstanding classroom teachers at local, district, and state levels. The Teacher of the Year Program is open to any public school classroom teacher, librarian, counselor or other certified individuals in a K-12 setting. The selection process begins at the school level. What a special honor for these individuals to be selected by their peers.

The Athens City Schools Foundation looks forward to celebrating each Teacher of the Year at the annual ACSF Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet. The District-Level Elementary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12) Teacher of the Year will named at this special event. These teachers will then represent Athens City Schools in the Alabama Teacher of the Year state competition.

This is the eighth installment of Q&As with the eight teachers who have been selected by their peers as Teachers of the Year at Athens City Schools.

Name: Cindy Greenway

School: iAcademy at Athens Elementary

Grade Level(s) You Teach: PK-3

Subjects You Teach: Title/Reading and Math Resource Teacher

Degrees & Granting Institutions, Special Certifications and/or Training:

Associate of Applied Science from Snead State Jr. College

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Athens State University

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Alabama A&M University Certified in Reading for grades PreK-12

Where is your hometown? Scottsboro, Ala., but I have been in Athens, Ala., for over half my life.

Why did you become a teacher? I studied to become a licensed Veterinary Technician at Snead State initially. While working with local vets in Scottsboro, I was offered the unexpected opportunity to teach in my church’s preschool. It was there that I learned how amazing teaching can be! After moving to Athens with my family, I pursued my degree in Early Childhood Education. For several years I conducted workshops across the United States for Kendall Hunt’s Insights science program. I am convinced that I didn’t “find” teaching, the teaching profession “found” me.

How many years have you been a teacher? How many years have you been with Athens City Schools?

I have been with iAcademy at Athens Elementary for 33 years. I was a first-grade teacher for nine years and have been a Title teacher since then.

Tell me about your family. What are your hobbies, interests or other things you like to do as an individual or as a family? My husband, Randall, and I have 5 amazing children and have been blessed with nine grandchildren. Our entire family enjoys the “lake life” in Tennessee. I have enjoyed traveling with my husband to Australia, Canada, and many exciting places across the states. We try to get back to the mountains in Utah every chance we get where we love to ski. I also love reading, running, and hanging out with my pets!

Anything else you would like to add? According to the faculty and staff at Athens Elementary, Cindy Greenway truly embodies the AES mindset of being a “difference maker” in every way. She learned about the positive impact that therapy animals can have on the day-to-day functions of a school. With support of school administration, she began the two-year process of acquiring a therapy-trained dog for iAcademy at Athens Elementary. Eli, a gentle and cuddly five-year-old Labradoodle, has proudly served as Facility Dog at iAcademy since early 2020. Trained by Service Dogs Alabama, Eli provides students and staff with much-needed emotional support during the school day by offering a comforting presence and unconditional affection. Eli eases the stress levels of students and staff alike and helps to create a safe and comforting classroom environment for students. Mrs. Greenway often tells students that although she is his primary caretaker, “Eli belongs to everyone at Athens Elementary and a member of everyone’s family.”