Detroit's Heroes | A Stronger Detroit for Our Kids

Detroit's Heroes

To hear our radio spot about A Stronger Detroit for our Kids, click here.

Trenita Burks

Working 12 years in the Detroit Public School (DPS) System, Trenita Burks helps care for severely impaired children at the Keidan Special Education Center where she is the school Administrative Assistant. Trenita spends her free time volunteering in her church where she is the secretary and taking her son to DAPCEP, which is the Detroit Area Pre-Engineering Program through DPS. Click here to learn more about Trenita
Sherry Wilson-Arrington

A graduate of Detroit Osborn High School, Sherry Wilson-Arrington has worked with the Detroit Public Schools (DPS) as a financial specialist for over 11 years. Both of Sherry's sons graduated from DPS. Sherry is extremely active in her church where she is in the altar ministry. Learn more about Sherry and her story here.
Shirley Magdan

Shirley Magdan has worked as a Secretary in six Detroit Public Schools in her 30 years of service. Famous for helping her students get to school on time, Shirley spends her free time with her family and with the kids in her school who need extra attention. Meet Shirley and hear her story here.
Donyelle Till

Donyelle has been a committed employee of Detroit Public Schools for 24 years. A graduate of Detroit Finney High School, Donyelle is a mother of five kids. Donyelle works two jobs, volunteers for her local Community Watch, and makes sure she attends her son’s basketball games. Meet Donyelle and hear her story

We come to work every day. We care about not only the teachers and the principals and the counselors, but we care about the children.

Sherry Wilson-Arrington
I like the students most of all. I could be having a bad day and a student could come in and turn that whole day around with just a smile, a hello - anything like that. I love the work, but the students make it all come together for you.

Shirley Magdan
I have devoted a lot of my time and energy to the city of Detroit. I love the city of Detroit. I love Detroit Public Schools.

Donyelle Till
Because of the cutbacks, we're short-staffed. So wherever needed, you know, I'm basically on the fore-front in putting myself out there to extend a hand to help others. I go over and beyond. But it’s something I enjoy doing.

Trenita Burks