Congratulations to Cynthia Roddie from The East English Village Preparatory Academy-Finney of Detroit Public Schools, Exceptional Educator for December

Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm serving clients in Michigan is pleased to announce the Exceptional Educator for December is high school English teacher Ms. Cynthia Roddie of East English Village Preparatory Academy-Finney. The school will receive $1000 from Giroux Pappas in her honor. 

Bob Giroux, Attorney, and Founding Partner expressed, “Recognizing teachers who work diligently to prepare our teens for the next step as Ms. Roddie does are a huge asset in our Metro Detroit community.”

Ms. Roddie’s impact on her students is profound. So much so that her nominations came from multiple senior class students who called and wrote to us about her impact and support of them. 

The written nomination is so impactful that we did not want to paraphrase this student’s writing.

The Original Nomination as Submitted

Cynthia D. Roddie is a special teacher in various ways. She is an experienced and educated woman who has been teaching in the Detroit Public School District on Detroit’s lower Eastside for forty-five years. Ms. Roddie has taught three generations in her teaching career, which means she has possibly taught our family members. Due to her teaching experience, she is competent in her subject matter which makes it easy for her to teach us. Then she’s has amazing qualities, such has a welcoming personality, creative spirit, and organized, intelligent, bold, supportive, and approachable. 

Also, she gives back to the community around the school. For example, with her students and she recently hosted a can goods drive at EEVPA High School, which we collected more than four hundred can goods to give to a community church to feed the homeless. She supports students by attending their sports events, dance concerts, plays, academic games competitions, and robotics tournaments. Wherever students are involved you will find Ms. Roddie.  Imagine a teacher staying after school daily three or four hours- that’s her. 

So, for us who may need help, she will be available and ready to assist. What I was most fascinated about was her classroom. It’s full with students’ work including mine. There are meaningful quotes throughout the room; I especially like, “This much I know- You’re Young, Able, Intelligent, and Empowered to do Great Things.” by Ceci (Cynthia D. Roddie), she’s a writer and a poet. Lastly, I want you to know about her relationships in the school including the custodial staff, kitchen crew, other faculty members, they all admire her and love her energy. I love her and appreciate her efforts and encouragement.  — Darnisha D.

Giroux Pappas created the Exceptional Educator Program and partners with WXYZ to gather nominations for educators in the area that go above and beyond for their students. Giroux Pappas launched the program in January 2022 to give back to the community it serves and has recognized and donated to a teacher each month.

To nominate a teacher who inspires their students and goes out of their way, visit the Exceptional Educator page on the Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys’ website.