Cicely Tyson as the educator who established a school advocating discipline tempered with praise, patience and inspiration. Morgan Freeman, Rodrick Wimberly. Cindy: Mashaune Hardy. Patrick: Brett Bouldin. Eric: Samuel Muhammad Jr. Cynthia Rawls: Dianne Kirksey. Ida: Frankie Hill. Lela: Marsha Warfield. Narrated by Edward Asner. Directed by Peter Levin.