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February 03, 2025
LANSING – The latest #proudMIeducator videos feature Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD) educators, students, and community members stressing the importance of the Deaf or hard of hearing community.
One video focuses on the relationship that the school has with the surrounding Flint community, while the other shares the history of the Michigan School for the Deaf, which is part of the Michigan Department of Education.
“All Michigan children should have access to an outstanding education,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “The Michigan School for the Deaf provides a great opportunity for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing to learn. The school has a long, rich history as part of the Flint community. We are proud of the educators at the school and proud of our students.”
Michigan School for the Deaf is a bilingual and bicultural Deaf and hard of hearing program that serves Deaf and hard of hearing students from across Michigan who are 2 ½ to 26 years old. Students are exposed to a language-rich environment in American Sign Language and written English and are immersed in Deaf culture.
The school’s mission is to graduate students who are empowered with a positive Deaf identity and who demonstrate the knowledge, confidence, and leadership to become contributing citizens in a diverse, technological, and democratic society. The Deaf community greatly influences the growing success of the school and the positive outcomes of its students.
The two videos are silent to honor the experiences of past and current Michigan School for the Deaf students and staff.
The first video, #proudMIeducator: Michigan School for the Deaf—Community, includes a closer look at the community surrounding MSD. #proudMIeducators Katie Sweers and Kelly Young share how important the support of the Deaf and hard of hearing community is to the school and its students.
In the second video, #proudMIeducator: Michigan School for the Deaf—Short History, #proudMIeducator Principal Rex Vernon shares a brief history of the school, including the importance of the Superintendent’s cottage, where the rich history of the Michigan School for the Deaf is thriving for the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
“The centerpiece of the Superintendent’s Cottage is the historical museum,” said Freida Morrison, president of the Superintendent Cottage Historical Society. “The historical museum holds artifacts made by past students of MSD—furniture and woodworking, historical pictures, trophies and medals, clothing, and school supplies that were donated from the past and put on display at the cottage. The Deaf community is proud of the rich history of MSD at the cottage.”
To learn more about the #proudMIeducators at Michigan School for the Deaf, view MDE’s previously issued press releases titled “Silent Video Honors Experiences of Staff, Students at Michigan School for the Deaf” and “Michigan School for the Deaf Students Share Why They’re Proud of Teachers.”
MDE continues to promote programs that attract qualified and passionate teachers. Increasing the number of certified teachers, especially in areas of shortage, is one of the eight goals of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.
The state’s efforts to address the teacher shortage and encourage more people to pursue a teaching career in Michigan include, but are not limited to, scholarships to future educators; stipends for student teachers; student loan repayments; Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants; the Future Proud Michigan Educator LAUNCH program; Grow Your Own grant programs to help support staff and students to become teachers; Talent Together; expedited reciprocity for teachers and counselors certified in other states; a rural credentialing hub; and tuition reimbursement for special education teachers.
Since 2016, the #proudMIeducator campaign has featured educators and supporters of Michigan educators who share their passion for education. The full playlist can be found at #proudMIeducator - YouTube.
If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email MDE-PME@Michigan.gov.
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