By Darshini Dayanidhi
For more than three decades, Ms. Ehmann has been an enduring presence at East, shaping the lives of thousands of students and embodying the values of the school. Her connection to East runs deep—first as a student, then as a teacher, and now as a beloved mentor who continues to inspire and engage her students every day.
Ms. Ehmann’s journey at East began when she was a student herself from 1985 to 1989. She graduated, attended the University of Buffalo, and by 1993 was back at East, this time as a teacher. Aside from a brief part-time position teaching at another school, East has been her home for her entire career.
Her teaching path wasn’t always clear, though. In college, she initially pursued a pre-law track. However, her fascination with literature, sparked by a freshman English class, shifted her path toward education. Though she briefly considered a career in social work, she soon realized that the emotional toll of that work wasn’t for her—a realization, as she shared, that her father helped her come to. Her connection to literature, storytelling, and writing led her back to East.
Today, Ms. Ehmann teaches a range of English classes, including English 9, AP Language and Composition, and several senior-level courses. Her teaching assignments change yearly based on rotations within her department, and she values this diversity in her work. Her favorite book to teach? To Kill a Mockingbird, which she describes as a novel “about everything”—a foundational piece she believes provides crucial insights into the human experience. Recently, she has also grown fond of News of the World, enjoying its complexity and the new perspectives she uncovers with each reading. Other past favorites have included Pride and Prejudice and The House of Mirth, each bringing a unique texture to her classroom.
Her teaching approach has also evolved significantly over the years. When Ms. Ehmann began teaching, reading and writing were front and center in the classroom, and her lessons were largely free from today’s technological distractions. Yet, even as students’ reading habits have shifted, she’s found creative ways to connect literature to the digital age, using multimedia tools to engage students while staying true to her goal of fostering critical thinking and an appreciation for reading. She’s especially proud of East’s Friday Reading program, which gives students the time to enjoy a book of their choice. She believes it helps build a reading habit, giving some students who may not read for pleasure a dedicated moment each week to dive into a story.
The highlight of Ms. Ehmann’s day is the time she spends with her students, learning about their lives and watching them grow. Her commitment to building strong relationships is evident in the personalized “all-about-you” assignments she gives, where students share their interests and experiences. She regularly checks in with them, creating a supportive and open environment where students feel seen and valued. She believes that this mutual exchange keeps her young and inspired. In fact, she views her students as her teachers, too, learning from them as much as they learn from her. As Ms. Ehmann put it, “I am taught by you guys just as much as I try to help and teach you.”
Over the years, Ms. Ehmann has also advised multiple clubs, including Hands Around the World and student council, and supported various initiatives, like helping students form a Christianity Club (which has yet to come into fruition). Though her primary focus is teaching, she values these roles as opportunities to connect with students beyond academics.
Ms. Ehmann’s days start early with a quiet moment in her classroom, enjoying coffee before students arrive. These morning reflections set the tone for a day filled with what she describes as her greatest motivation: the chance to make a difference in her students’ lives. For her, teaching at East is a lifelong calling, one that enriches her life daily. From seeing former students return to share their achievements to working with inspiring colleagues, she is grateful for the community she has found here.
Reflecting on her career, Ms. Ehmann acknowledges that East has witnessed every phase of her life. Her siblings attended before her, and her sons’ experiences as teenagers inspire her. In her eyes, East is more than a place to work; it’s where she grew up, where she found her calling, and where she continues to grow alongside her students. As she aptly put it, “It was fate.”