Samuel Gompers Elementary-Middle School

14450 Burt Rd

Detroit, Michigan 48223

(313)494-7495

Date: August 16, 2022

Greetings Gompers Families,

Welcome back to school Gator Nation!  I would like to pay homage to former principal, Bobbie Posey-Milner.  She had 41 years of outstanding service in our district.  She will truly be missed by all.  My name is Ms. Akeya Murphy, and I am the new principal of Gompers Elementary-Middle School. It is an honor to serve this community!  I have previously served as the principal of Thomas A. Edison Elementary School for several years. I am truly excited about the students, families, and staff at our school.  Together we will ensure we have a positive learning environment where teaching and learning thrive.  

In addition, I would like to take a moment to tell you about myself.  I take great pride in being a life-long learner.  I am a proud graduate of Michigan State University.  I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with minors in Math and Science.  Immediately after earning my bachelor’s degree, I went into postgraduate studies.  I earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University. Subsequently, I earned an educational specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Wayne State University.   As an educator, I have served in two urban-suburban school districts in various roles: teacher, principal, and central office administrator.  It has been a pleasure to dedicate over twenty-five years in the field of education and positively impact youth in the Metro Detroit Area. Also, I am a proud mother of two adult children, a sister, a daughter, and a wife.   I live each day to provide our students and families with strong, compassionate, focused leadership. It is my responsibility to ensure every student at Gompers Elementary-Middle School has a future that is bright and promising.

In closing, we have a shared goal to ensure our scholars to thrive academically and socio-emotionally to reach their future goals.  Therefore, I believe is essential for our families to know 83% students were chronically absent last year and that impacted their education.  Chronic absenteeism is defined as eighteen absences in a total school year and includes excused absences.  Let’s work together to lower our schools’ chronic absenteeism rate by ensuring scholars are present daily.  School hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.  Our school uniform consists of navy, khaki, and black uniform bottoms; scholars may wear white, navy, red, black, or powder blue uniform tops.  If you have concerns about uniforms, families please send your scholar to school anyway.  If you have concerns about transportation, please call the DPSCD Transportation Department at (313)945-8600 to make transportation arrangements.  Our staff is ready and excited to receive your scholar(s) on the first day of school. It is going to be a wonderful school year and I look forward to serving our community!  Gator Nation Stand Up – Genius, Galant, Game-changer!   

With highest regard,

Ms. Akeya Murphy - B.A., M.A., Ed.S.