Salem’s Brodie earns distinguished ‘Excellence In Education’ honor
Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, presents Bob Brodie with his Excellence in Education check.
A Wayne County educator who has dedicated nearly 50 years to serving students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
The award winner, Bob Brodie, is a high school physical education teacher and coach at Salem High School.
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence In Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.
Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
‘Essence of an educator’
“Bob Brodie embodies the essence of what it means to be an educator,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
“He understands that teaching extends beyond the classroom, fostering growth and potential in students to become successful adults. His dedication, evident in his roles from teacher and coach to counselor and administrator, has left an indelible mark on countless lives in his community.”
Brodie said his parents inspired him to pursue a career in education.
Inspired by his parents
“My parents were both in education, so from an early age I knew that is exactly what I wanted to do,” Brodie said. “Being a teacher and coach allows me to help students learn to become responsible, productive, and accountable adults and to grow both inside the classroom and beyond. Helping students reach their potential and become successful adults is such a rewarding experience.”
Brodie was nominated for the award by a colleague.
“During Bob’s tenure as a teacher he has taught numerous business education and physical education classes,” the nomination read. “Mixed in with his teaching he was even asked to fill in as a counselor (he is certified in counseling) and as an administrator.
“When he first started teaching, he coached three sports and within nine years he was the head boys’ basketball coach at Salem High School. After 37 years, he recently passed on the head coaching job to one of his former players and teaching colleagues, but he continues on the coaching staff as an assistant.
Coach, official, motivator
Brodie also been registered with the MHSAA as an athletic official for more than 52 years and is a member of three Halls of Fame.
The award nominator continued: “Bob has seen and done it all. He has developed new classes and led his departments while also supervising college students earning their degrees. He is well liked by all staff in the district, and many know him in other school districts. His former players and students come back to visit him, invite him to their weddings and even name their kids after him.
“He has made a positive impact on thousands of students over the years. One of his goals is to make his students productive members of the community, which he takes pride in. He has been a mentor to new and old staff alike. I have worked alongside him for 26 years of my career and have witnessed all this and more.”
Brodie earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, and an elementary teaching certification from Wayne State University. He has been an educator for 50 years, the last 48 in his current position.
