Cynthia Atwater graduated from Gordon College with degrees in English and math, and received her master's degree in education from Eastern Nazarene College. She has been serving at SSCA since its founding in 1994, primarily as an English teacher, but has also taught math, drama, study skills, and Latin. Her extracurricular duties have included initiating and leading a drama club for seven years, coaching middle school girls basketball, and advising the National Honor Society.