This year’s new drama teacher Ms. Isobel Springer has blessed her students and club member’s with her creativity and happiness, making her one of the new student favorites in the building.
This year is Ms. Springer’s first teaching a drama class officially, and she loves creating. Although her focus in school is drama, this actually means creating anything.
Ms. Springer says “Whether it’s creating a theatre performance, visual art, or cooking/baking,” Ms. Springer says, “Everything I enjoy is surrounded by the idea of creation.”
This school year, Ms. Springer, along with the help of many students, recreated a version of Cinderella that premiered in May to the Parkdale community. One student who played a big part in Ms. Springer’s vision coming to life was graduated senior Naïa Joy Benitez.
Benitez, who is getting ready to study musical theatre in college, says that Ms. Springer has been extremely supportive and helpful in answering her questions.
“Ms. Springer has been like a mentor to me,” Benitez explained. “Even if she doesn’t always have the exact answer, she never hesitates to help or just listen.”
Cinderella was a huge hit, and her direction, support, and passion that she put into the project could be seen on stage throughout the performance. (Click here to read an article about the performance!) The production itself holds a special place to Ms. Springer.
“I would say the top three [moments I am proud of] as of this moment would have to be my undergraduate student studio performance, my masters degree, and Cinderella,” she said. “All three of these things I worked incredibly hard to accomplish and overcame many challenges to be successful.”
For Ms.Springer the successful production of Cinderella was a dream come true, especially because this was her first show here at Parkdale. She didn’t know she would be teaching drama or doing a musical until the school year began, but that made everything all the more special!!!
“The supportive and hardworking community within the cast and crew, who constantly uplifted each other, made this experience truly inspiring,” she explained.
Graduated Senior Thomia Johnson wasn’t directly involved with last year’s drama teacher but formerly worked with the program. She explained that Ms. Springer has done a much better job at engaging the students in drama.
“I have never seen so many students come to a drama show before, and it’s just nice to see that everyone has school spirit,” Johnson explained. She believes Ms. Springer did an exceptional job at teaching and engaging students with drama. As someone who helped run JCG (Just Cover Guests), Johnson knows well the challenges of setting up a great production.
Johnson believes Ms.Springer is one of the most hard working women she has ever met.
“To start fresh with a bunch of kids who might not have known her at the beginning of the year, to becoming a friendly face that me and a bunch of other seniors are going to miss,” Johnson said when explaining the impact Ms. Springer has left.
This is in direct connection to Ms. Springer’s ability to communicate and understand her students. She explains that she never pushes “to overshare and do anything that they are totally uncomfortable with”. Instead, she works with what her students are willing to share.
Although Ms. Springer is exhausted from all that went into the production of Cinderella, she remains excited too create and teach more next year.
“I am grateful that we were able to create a piece that people enjoyed and were able to resonate with,” she explained.
And her impact is not stopping on stage. Instead, it is something that students will take with them, even beyond the walls of Parkdale after graduation.
“I really can’t put into words how thankful I am for everything she’s done for me,” said Benitez. “She’s always believed in me and supported me, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
Ms. Singer will be returning for the 2025-2026 school year and says she will not leave until she has a strong student-led program that can function without her presence. And for that, we are thankful.
