Governing Board member Donna Stout presenting Erik Johnson his award.

Teacher of The Year – Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson’s impact on his students, the school, and the district has been significant and full of variety.  Erik dedicates a tremendous amount of time and energy to his students and his colleagues, and he does it in a way that looks like every day is the best day of his life.

Erik graduated from Cortez High School, received his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, and his Masters in Secondary Education from NAU.  He has been at Greenway for 17 years, and his teaching assignments at Greenway have included almost every grade level of Language Arts, World History, Yearbook, and Media Productions.  Additionally, Erik has coached freshman baseball, and has been “The Voice of the Greenway Demons” as our football and basketball announcer for the past 17 years.  He has also been the Summer School Administrator for the past 6 years, and is currently a part of our Link Crew Leadership Team. 

Erik started the Greenway Media Productions Program, which has resulted not only in an entertaining and informational live announcements broadcast every day, but also within the first two years his Greenway Broadcasting Company (the GBC) took the state championship at the Skills USA State competition.  Erik is no stranger to this District recognition event – the Greenway Yearbook organization received the Student Organization AAA Award in 2005.

Erik is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator.  He is absolutely great for the kids, the school, the district and the community.  GWHS is proud to have him as a part of the Greenway family.



Governing Board member Ian Hugh presenting Emma Newman her award.

Student of The Year – Emma Newman 

Emma is being recognized this evening because of her wide variety of accomplishments, successes and achievements – both academic and extra-curricular.  Emma has consistently demonstrated the ability to successfully manage the fine balance between a rigorous academic program and her extra-curricular interests.  She is a remarkable student who has performed at exceptionally high levels in the most difficult courses that our district has to offer.  However, it is her interests and accomplishments in extra-curricular activities and service organizations that provide compelling evidence that Emma exemplifies the attributes of an Achievement Above All recipient.

Throughout her 3+ years at Greenway Emma has been recognized and honored for a variety of accomplishments.  Emma has been on the Principal’s list every semester with a perfect 4.0 GPA, has exceeded the Standards in all four of the AIMS tests, and is in the top 1% of her class.   She is also in her third year in the Teaching Professions program and Future Educators of America.

Emma’s participation in a variety of extra-curricular activities and service organizations is equally notable.  Emma has been an influential and active member of Student Leadership and Student Council for the past 2 years, and is currently our Senior Class President. She has been a member of the Varsity Cheer Squad for 3 years, and is currently the Varsity Spirit Line Captain. Emma has been an active member of the National Honor Society for the past two years, and has also been a student leader in Greenway’s Link Crew for the past two years.   Emma’s participation and leadership in organizations such as these are illustrations of her extraordinary character and giving heart.   

Governing Board member Vicki Johnson presenting Jenny with her award.

Support Staff of The Year – Jenny Marzella

Jenny’s ten year tenure at Greenway has included attendance assistant and attendance lead, and she is currently Greenway’s data processor.   Jenny epitomizes the attributes of the “go-to” support staff member.  We have recently been very short handed in the counseling department, but you would never notice any decrease in service due to Jenny’s dedication.  She is always willing to cover any position anywhere in the office when anyone asks.  She says in her bio that she prepared that “there really is no “I” in team.  I work with an awesome team, and we ALL keep it going!”  She is also the first to offer assistance during her lunch to supervise the cafeteria.  You might think that she wants a chance to see those “cows in action” first hand, but what she really wants is to create and maintain positive connections with the kids.   

Brenda Baker, APSS states that “Jenny is the epitome of kindness and warmth in her greeting of people telephoning or arriving to the Greenway Counseling Department.  She eases visitors’ anxiety with her welcoming smile and her active listening to people, many who are confused, upset or just plain overwhelmed with the process of enrolling a new student.  I can think of no one more deserving of the AAA Award than Jenny Marzella.”  

Governing Board member Donna Stout presenting the FEA their award

Student Group of The Year – Future Educators of America 

The purpose of the FEA and the Teaching Professions program is to highlight the benefits of the teaching profession to students, and to provide service to our community.  In addition to interning at the elementary schools our students participate in activities such as a toy drive for John C. Lincoln Pediatric Ward, an international online project with Kyrgyzstan students, and fundraising for Haitian schools.

The Greenway FEA was named the FEA Chapter of the Year in 2008 and 2010, and Mrs. Stockwell was named the FEA Teacher of the Year in 2008 and 2010.  They have achieved several other awards and recognitions, but one in particular is very special.  Mrs. Stockwell, along with last year’s FEA president and state officer Haley Sheahan have been invited to present their team learning experiences at a conference in Washington DC for Career and Technical Education.