Eugenia Wyatt, a 61-year-old 2023 Adult Education graduate came upon this opportunity while seeking part-time employment with Detroit at Work. Knowing the limits of available job opportunities, Wyatt felt inspired to return to the classroom and obtain her GED.

The Adult Education program offers flexible morning in person and virtual classes and evening virtual classes only. With six location sites available across the metro Detroit area.

Balancing being a full-time mother of four and having to commute back and forth to her daughter’s therapy appointments, 30-year-old Kiante Samuel, a 2023 graduate, needed to have a flexible schedule that allowed her to work at her own pace.

Graduating 81 students ages 19-61 with the average age of 35, the Adult Education program looks forward to servicing many more Detroiters. Many students faced challenges which lead them to their greatest triumph. With health as the common challenge amongst some graduates, Laniece Robinson 54- years-old said, “I thought I was going to die. I found a way to manage school, balance being a mother and adjust to all my medication.”

The students gave recognition to their teachers, career coaches, and Ms. Riley, Deputy Executive Director, DPSCD for the continuous support and around-the-clock dedication. Without the commitment and persistence of Ms. Riley, many students stated that they would not have finished. Ms. Samuel said, “I still can’t believe I finished. If it wasn’t for my dream team, my mom, Ms. Riley, and Mr. McNelis, Adult Education Math Teacher, DPSCD encouraging me I would have given up.”

Ms. Samuel shares that there were many times her children would see her cry because she did not pass a test, but she knew she could not give up. When asked how it made her feel to be the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony, Ms. Samuel said, “I was honored Ms. Riley selected me out of the 70 other students; I am forever grateful for the love and support of Ms. Riley. If she asked me to take the program over again, I would do it just for her.”

The academic skills and resources provided by the Adult Education program and the Detroit at Work partnership provide a one -stop- shop environment for adult students to feel loved, challenged, and prepared. For information on how you can enroll for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year, visit the Adult Education home page.