Community remembers longtime Athens Elementary School teacher

Published 9:04 am Wednesday, November 22, 2023

The iAcademy at Athens Elementary School family lost an integral member on Nov. 9, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Cindy Greenway was loved by her family and friends, and she contributed more than three decades of service to Athens Elementary School, including the introduction of the school’s facility dog for students and staff.

In her interview for her winning the 2023 iAcademy Teacher of the Year award, Greenway shared that she was originally a veterinary technician, but opportunities arose to show her another path.

“I am convinced that I didn’t ‘find’ teaching, the teaching profession ‘found’ me,” Greenway shared with The News Courier.

Members of the AES community and Athens City Schools are grateful that it did:

“Mrs. Greenway was always such an integral part of what happens every day at Athens Elementary. She made each child she worked with feel special and loved and taught them to believe in themselves. Her classroom was always warm and inviting to both students and other staff members. She always went out of her way to say a kind word to people and was one of the most positive people I have ever known. She truly embodied our school mindset of being a ‘difference maker’ in every way!” — Amanda Tedford, iAcademy Principal

“Mrs. Greenway was one of the kindest people I have ever met. She went out of her way daily to check on everyone. She was always there to laugh with you, cry with you, or just give a hug when needed. There was something about Mrs. Greenway that always made her stand out, but it is not something that could be pinpointed. She was truly a ray of sunshine in our lives that will be greatly missed.” —Leslee Gaston

“I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to work with Cindy Greenway at Athens Elementary School. She was always so kind and polite every time I saw her in the hallway. Cindy was such a genuine person that cared about our students and our faculty and staff. She was such a joy to be around and will be greatly missed by all of us.” —Katie Blair

“Cindy always had the sweetest and kindest soul. She was always thinking of others and putting them first. After a year of fighting cancer, one of the first things she said to me was along the lines of I can’t believe I missed out on Annalee’s (my daughter) first year growing up. She was fighting cancer and she was sad about missing out on watching my baby grow up. That’s just the kind of person she was. The most precious person, who loved and cared for every person and child she met. I am so thankful for my few short years I got to work with Cindy.” — Madison Wells

“Mrs. Greenway had this wonderful way of making you feel important and loved. You felt heard and cared for just having a conversation with Cindy. She was incredibly sincere with her kindness and generosity, I can’t imagine you would find anyone else like her. She brought light and warmth into the room just by walking in it, and she was the kind of person who felt like your best friend even if you just met her. Her presence will be so missed. It feels like a piece of our heart is missing.” —Melinda Simpkins

“You couldn’t ‘out nice’ Cindy. She would buy your lunch for no reason. She remembered birthdays, your favorite coffee and everybody’s name. She was the first to volunteer for someone’s duty at school. She always stopped what she was doing to listen to you and she listened with her whole heart. Her students had no idea they were doing hard work because she made learning fun. It was a blessing to call her friend.” — Michelle Weathers

“I am so blessed to have spent 17 years working with Mrs. Greenway. She has taught me so much about working with children as well as how to be a patient and caring teacher. Cindy believed ALL kids could learn and she worked harder than anyone I know to make that happen. AES has lost a very important “difference maker” in all of our lives. Thank you for the memories Cindy! You will be missed!” —Sue Noah

“Cindy was an amazing person in so many ways. Her contagious smile, her sweet voice, her caring words, her selflessness and love for children are just a few of these. I had the privilege of teaching with her for 18 years and learned so much on how to help grow and nurture my students. She loved her job very much and it showed by how she poured herself into the lives of each of her students and how much they loved her back. The impact she has had on all of our lives is too vast to measure. I loved her and she will be so deeply missed.” —Julie Morgan

“I was honored to have worked with Cindy for 24 years at Athens Elementary! Cindy truly loved what she did. Teaching is a mission field and Cindy owned that every day!She had a gentleness about her that made those around her feel valued and important. Her beautiful smile and gentleness had a way of reaching everyone. Her hard work and complete dedication to her students over the years was simply inspiring! Cindy Greenway was what Athens Elementary has always stood for; hard work and dedication, a love for children and true family! What a lady! You will be terribly missed!” —Veronica Breakfield

“I am so thankful for the 33+ years I was blessed to know Cindy Greenway as a co-worker and true friend! I will forever cherish the memories, and I will always remember how she always put others first. Now she is truly soaring on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)!” —Beth Patton, Superintendent

Former students and Athens community members alike shared comments on the iAcademy tribute post on Facebook reflecting on Greenway’s kindness and her teaching abilities, for her elementary students and future teachers alike.