First Grade

Mrs. Ebonee Crosby, 1st grade teacher,  is originally from Northern Virginia. She moved to the Richmond area to attend the University of Richmond where she received my Master of Education. Next year will be her 5th year teaching; and second year in 1st grade! When Mrs. Cosby is not teaching, she is usually participating in a serve project for the city, at the gym, practicing new recipes, or at the dog park with her 2 pups. She is beyond thrilled to join the team at Greenwood as she spent time at Greenwood several years ago as a practicum student. Mrs. Cosby is extremely passionate about modeling positivity, embracing cultures and diversity, and having a growth mindset! Her goal is to create an environment that is safe, collaborative, and inclusive for all learners! Mrs. Cosby can't wait to meet the staff and her new students! 

Mrs. Cynthia Gonzalez is beyond excited to start her second year at Greenwood Elementary as an Instructional Assistant. She was born and raised in New York City  and currently resides in Glen Allen with her two wonderful Gator boys and supportive husband. Mrs. Gonzalez has a background in early childhood working with Pre- Schoolers. She enrolled in the Better Kid Care Program and received the Virginia preservice training for child care staff, along with the Virginia health and safety update training for child care staff. She utilizes her firm, but kind-hearted demeanor to help Gators succeed in all academic and social areas of learning. She is a proud Grateful Dragon who has a natural love and appreciation for teaching. To Mrs. Gonzalez, the most amazing thing is to see or hear one of her students apply the skills that she has taught them and see the excitement in their eyes. She is truly proud of each Gator everyday and is honored to watch them grow each year! Greenwood is definitely her second home! 

Mr. Jalen Goode is excited to be back for his 2nd year at Greenwood Elementary School. Having graduated from VCU with a degree in interdisciplinary studies in December 2022, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our school community. With a passion for sports, particularly basketball, Mr. Goode sees school as not only a place for learning but also as a safe space where students can discover and be the best versions of themselves. As he sets out to make an immediate impact on our 1st-grade gators, Mr. Goode embodies the qualities of courage, vision, innovation, and grit. He firmly believes in the value of competition, fostering comradery, promoting collaboration, enhancing communication, maintaining consistency, earning credibility, and building connections with students. His commitment to creating a positive and nurturing learning environment aligns perfectly with our school's values and goals. With his inspiring approach, Mr. Goode is determined to empower each student to reach their full potential, instilling in them the confidence to succeed both academically and personally.

Mrs. Jennifer McDowney is excited to enter her sixth year as a member of the Gator crew. She is a graduate of Liberty University. Her bachelor’s degree studies focused on Education and Science, and she is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Liberty University. Mrs. McDowney has done it all for our gators! She has been a Reading Interventionist, Instructional Assistant, a co-teacher during virtual learning, and a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher. Mrs. McDowney has been married for 17 years and has three children; one is an alumnus from Greenwood, one is a current student at Greenwood, and another will be a Greenwood gator in a few years. In her free time, she likes to travel to beaches and go shelling. Mrs. McDowney believes we are all a TEAM where Together Everyone Achieves More. She believes that education is also seen through behavior, not just what is shown on paper! We must teach our students to be good citizens of the world through our own positive and empowering behavior, AND by living our GATOR values each day. Mrs. McDowney loves working with our Gators, and believes that Greenwood is a place where students' dreams can come true! 

Mr. Scott Miles is beyond thrilled to be starting his fifth year of teaching, and third year at Greenwood Elementary! He graduated from Daemen College in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education/Special Education (1-6). He is from the Buffalo, NY area and lived outside Tampa, FL after graduating college. While in Tampa (besides going to the beach and Disney World), he taught fourth grade for two years. This is his third year in the Richmond area, and he is absolutely loving it. It is his mission to ensure all students feel welcome at school and are empowered to take ownership of their learning in engaging and hands-on learning experiences. This year he plans to continue incorporating various STEAM projects and Classroom Transformations to encourage students to find their passions in learning and life. Mr. Miles is very excited for the school year to kick off and is looking forward to all the magic that will happen at Greenwood this year. G-A-T-O-R Go Gators! 

Mrs. Meredyth Rutman is joyfully starting her twenty-second year of teaching!  She is proud to say that she has been a Greenwood Gator since the school opened in 2004!  Mrs. Rutman grew up in New Jersey and then made her way to Virginia for college.  She graduated from Virginia Tech with a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction…GO HOKIES!  During her collegiate years, Mrs. Rutman had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy and Switzerland, where she learned about the Reggio Emilia teaching approach.  This style of teaching focuses on meeting the needs of every child, in a way that is meaningful and engaging.  She fully embraces this mindset and strives to make her classroom a place of love, acceptance and growth…where the academic, social and emotional needs of every child are nurtured and cultivated.  After college, she married her sweetheart and love, Rhett,  and they have two sensational children, Casey and Tyler!  Mrs. Rutman is tremendously excited about the upcoming year and feels so thankful to be a part of this amazing school! Greenwood Elementary is not just a school…it’s so much more than that…it’s a place where MAGIC happens!  5 Houses…1 Family!