Alumni Testimonials

We want to hear from you! What is your experience with MSD? Please send testimonials to the webmaster at webmaster@mischooldeaf.org.

I was homeschooled with my siblings until I started eighth grade at Michigan School for the Deaf. The MSD teachers and staff were very wonderful and supporting. I always worked on improving my American Sign Language and English. I was very motivated to participate in activities such as sports, academic bowl, and I attended Skill Center. I lived in an MSD dormornity and it was beneficial to socialize with Deaf students and staff. I graduated with an HS diploma and was honored as a valediction. I got accepted to NTID and hold a degree in Administrative Support Technology.  I came back to work as the MSD principal secretary nine years later and I want to continue as a role model for MSD students.” Margaret “Meg” Peters, Class of 2014 

"After a two year battle with my school district, I was finally admitted into the Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD). MSD gave me more than I thought possible just like it did for my mother and grandfather. It gave me a stronger sense of Deaf identity and education through my native language. Living in the Dorm and being a part of extracurricular activities allowed me to make the most of my time at MSD. I have traveled out of state to other Deaf schools for competitions and education. MSD gave me the resources and support to be admitted into the Honors Program at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. I do not take my experience at MSD for granted. I appreciate every opportunity I was given at MSD. I have no doubt that MSD has helped shape the person I am today and I would not give it up for the world." -Jessica Kales, Class of 2013

"MSD gave me the tools to be very successful. At first, I thought I didn't need them, but the tools that MSD provides are very useful. I am still using them today. These tools will make you successful in your own future on creating your own path." Paul Kozak, Class of 2013

"MSD is a place of home for everyone who came through to their future path." - Taurean "Tar" Burt class of 2006

"My experience at MSD from 2001 to 2008 was very rich due to greater exposure to deaf culture. MSD has prepared me for the world very well. Staff at MSD has worked hard with many students including me to ensure that we learn how to be able to function in the real world. I have learned a lot about myself and how to stand myself up and deal with various situations and solve them. MSD is the right school for many deaf children where they will learn a lot about the differences and similarities between deaf and hearing cultures." Wally Pacut, Class of 2008

"My name is Wendy (Shapiro)MacAskill class of 1981. MSD gave me the tools to function in a hearing world as well as deaf world and my keyboard skills I learned from Jerri Rosé really helps me on my job I m the only deaf person at Bed, Bath & Beyond in Beverly Hills Michigan store I started there eight days after the Farmington Hills store closed for good and I’m sad they are going bankrupt because I now have to learn new skills to find a job I have worked there from 1995-2023 28 years."