Our Beloved Mrs. Rode

By Sheridan Johnson ‘24

For 34 years she has been pouring her heart and soul into impacting the lives of the girls at St. Ursula Academy, making English teacher Chrissy Rode the heart of SUA. Rode hopes she helps girls turn any bad situations into positive life experiences. She wants people to know she truly cares about all the girls here at St. Ursula Academy.

“I truly care about young people and hope everyday that I am empowering you girls,” says Rode.

Even those who don’t know Rode personally know of her love of England and the Royal family. She even has a cut out Queen Elizabeth in her classroom. Rode gives insight on how to act if she ever had conversations with the late queen.

“You wait for her to ask questions, you wouldn’t talk,” says Rode.

Talking to people who know Rode best, Andrew McGurk who has known Rode for 13 years talks about her impact at St. Ursula and on others.

“She has such a strong love for this school and teaches you girls to not take everything so seriously” says McGurk.

Mrs. Rode looking classy with the Queen of England Photo Credit: Sheridan Johnson

Whenever she chooses to leave St. Ursula Academy, Rode says she will miss the students because she learned everything from them. Losing day-to-day conversations with her colleagues Rode says will be one of the hardest things.

Writing novels is not a gift everyone has but Rode does, so far she has five novels written and hopes to have them published by the start of summer. She is wrapping things up on her sixth novel.

Growing up Rode and her twin sister grew up in foster care until they were adopted by their parents and lived in Lima, Ohio. Life was “simple” says Rode as they grew up with a loving family. Rode met her husband on a blind date and were married a year and a half later. They have two kids together, and Rode loves to talk about them in her classes.

“I am proud of taking a bad family situation and turning it into something positive and I hope others see that and know they can do the same,” said Rode. “Like many parents I am proud of my children and my family members.”

Ask anyone at school about Rode and it is nothing but the best things. People talk about how charismatic, funny, hardworking, and how much love she has for others. Many students say after leaving St. Ursula: Mrs. Rode is a teacher they have missed and remember her for the things she said in class.