Andrew Ahn ’28
Photo courtesy of episcopalacademy.org
At the center of Episcopal’s modern language department is Erin Bilbao, who came to the school nine years ago with a deep passion for guiding students and fostering a meaningful connection to language learning. Currently teaching Honors Spanish II to freshmen and sophomores, Bilbao balances her role as an educator with a broader responsibility to the department and school, helping to create an environment where students are encouraged to contribute to the community in their own way.
Bilbao’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident not only through her words but also in the energy she brings into the classroom each day. “I think teaching Spanish is so fun. I enjoy the students…they are what make coming to work every day a joy,” she reflects. Her students consistently notice the energy and dedication she brings to the classroom. Effie Goebeler ’29 says, “She’s a really energetic person, and you can tell that she loves teaching.” Together, these comments reflect a genuine appreciation for both her students and her impact on the greater community.
This dedication goes beyond her own classroom, however. In addition to instruction, she works on the Tabula, expanding on her roles with, “I took over as lead moderator, and every year we have a group of editors who are in charge of doing the entire book…I don’t place a single picture in the yearbook; I’ve always given the ownership to the students.” This sentiment shows the importance Bilbao gives to student leadership and shines a light on the sacrifices each editor makes to distribute the yearbook to the community. She also emphasizes her use of gentle guidance with the students, especially concerning deadlines and work ethic. “I’m always trying to be as encouraging as possible because it’s a really heavy lift, especially for seniors who already have so much on their plate,” she says, concluding with, “I dont ever say anything that could be discouraging…I always try to say things like, ‘everything’s going to be okay,’ and we always get it done.”
Alongside her contributions at EA, Bilbao prides herself on being an avid enthusiast of the Puerto Rican artist “Bad Bunny.” She shared an anecdote of her dream club, saying, “I was listening to a podcast from Jorge Ramos…He interviewed a professor from Wellesley [College], and they are Bad Bunny Scholars–they have a course on Bad Bunny and the politics of Puerto Rico.” Her final thoughts expressed her desire to bring such a topic to Episcopal with, “I would like to be EA’s unofficial Bad Bunny scholar.”
Off campus, Bilbao can often be seen hanging out with her two kids, travelling to a foreign country, or in the kitchen baking her signature dish: chocolate chip cookie bars. “My chocolate chip cookie bars are my go-to…it’s the Tollhouse cookie recipe baked into a pan…and people are impressed while it’s on the back of the bag,” she humored. Bilbao also expressed her love for a book in her free time, saying, “I loved reading Tina Fey’s autobiography, Bossypants, Jonathan Van Ness’ book…usually light, happy, and fun reads.”
Through her energy in the classroom, trust in student leadership, and genuine care for those around her, Bilbao has become much more than just a department head. Whether she is teaching Spanish, guiding Tabula editors, or sharing her interests with the students, she consistently creates a space where students feel supported and valued. Her approach shows that school is not just about academics, but about confidence, creativity, and community. In many ways, Bilbao’s influence reflects the spirit of Episcopal itself: driven, welcoming, and student-centered.
