Well-rounded and compassionate, Beverly Snyder is currently a special education resource teacher at Detroit Public Schools Community District’s Detroit Lions Academy (D.L.A.), an alternative middle school with programming that provides an opportunity for over-age students to get back on the path to success to reach high school graduation. Ms. Snyder is known for her straightforward style. As one student said, “She does not play.”  

“Her no-nonsense approach comes from a deep sense of caring for her students and guiding their rise,” said D.L.A. Principal  King. “Our students know she cares for them, and they work harder and aim higher to succeed.”  

With a background in law enforcement before she moved into education more than 20 years ago, Snyder regularly takes on leadership roles at the school, whether its organizing field trips or developing plans that meet the auditory, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic needs of her students. She’s also a driving force of support for her students’ activities in and outside of school. Whether it's dealing with a homework problem or a personal matter, Ms. Snyder is a resource for her students. 

“Ms. Snyder exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated teacher in DPSCD,” said Principal King. “She is definitely the backbone of our school and embodies our motto of where second chances lead to greater comebacks.”  

Ms. Snyder is a nominee for this year’s DPSCD Teacher of the Year and made it as a top five finalist. Congratulations and good luck!    

DPSCD, in conjunction with the DPS Foundation, will honor our educators, teachers and leaders at the 9th annual Champions of Education awards gala and dinner, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at DPSCD’s Mumford High School. This is the fourth in a series of profile stories about the Teacher of the Year nominees.