East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney Welcomes New Principal
The first thing you notice about Mr. Myron Montgomery is his impeccable, stylish yet professional manner of dress. Even on Casual Jeans Day, he is setting a new standard with his “Drip,” as the kids like to say. You might easily mistake him for a Baptist preacher instead of the newly appointed Principal of East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney.
Mr. Montgomery’s appointment was effective June 17, 2024, and he replaces Mr. Marty Bulger, who has assumed other duties with the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Mr. Montgomery has been the Vice-Principal of “The Ville” since 2021, so he knows the landscape and the culture, and will be prepared on Day 1 of the 2024-2025 school year to lead, guide, and direct student achievement. The Morningsider recently interviewed Mr. Montgomery to get to know him better and to gain some insight into his educational philosophy and goals for the upcoming year.
Q. How long have you been with the DPSCD?
A. This year marks my 25th year of uninterrupted service within DPSCD.
Q. What other roles have you had at other DPSCD schools and at EEVPA?
A. Within DPSCD (formerly DPS) I have served as a teacher (15 years) and an administrator (10th year upon completion of the 2024-2025 school year). During my time as a teacher, I served as a testing coordinator, school improvement chairperson, student council sponsor, lead social studies teacher, and teen court sponsor. I taught at Kettering High School, Southeastern High School, and West Side Academy Alternative High School. I have been an administrator at West Side Academy Alternative High School, Crockett Midtown High School, and lastly EEVPA @ Finney.
Q. Where did you grow up? High School? College?
A. I am a native Detroiter, mainly growing up on the east side of the city. I graduated from Northern High School (1994). I attended Eastern Michigan University. I was a double major (History & African American Studies) and a minor in English American Language and Literature. I graduated from the EMU College of Education (Certified to teach Social Studies 6-12 and ELA 6-12) as a secondary teacher.
Q. What are your priorities for the coming school year?
A. My priorities for the upcoming school year are: 1. Improve parental involvement; 2. Reduce chronic absenteeism as a school; 3. Improve our average daily attendance; 4. Lift student voice; 5. Improve the quality of instruction that we provide our students.
Q. How did you decide to become an educator?
A. I became an educator after working within an afterschool program while in college. Working with young people was a natural fit for me. I also recognized a need within my community for committed, qualified, educated Black men to become teachers/mentors to the next generation. I did not "see" myself reflected much during my time as a student within DPS, and I do not want that to be the experience within Detroit for young Black boys and girls.
Q. What have been your greatest challenges at DPSCD and EEVPA?
A. The greatest challenges working within DPSCD have been the socio-economic barriers which prevent my students from achieving the best of their respective abilities. Also, working towards academic progress given some of the academic deficiencies which plague our students because of the aforementioned barriers have been challenging. Professionally, the inconsistencies related to district leadership and financial stability were challenging. Thankfully, our district has course corrected under the leadership of the elected schoolboard and our current superintendent, Dr. Nikolai Vitti. I'm optimistic about the future of our district and city.
Q. What have been the biggest rewards?
A. The greatest reward for me in this profession is running into former students in the community and they are happy and productive citizens. I love to see students defy the odds and achieve their own level of success in their lives. I also find graduation day to be one of the most momentous events of the high school year!
Q. How do those challenges and rewards inform your own goals as principal?
A. Challenges withstanding, my goal is to ensure that each of my students receives a quality education which enables them to embark on their own distinctive path after graduation. Whether this path leads to higher education, military, industry certification/training, or the world of work; I want to know that my students were exposed to different experiences and opportunities. Our job here at EEVPA @ Finney is to ensure that our students can make an informed decision about what they want to pursue as young adults. If we can accomplish this, I believe we will positively impact the lives of our future leaders.
We congratulate Mr. Myron Montgomery on his new assignment and wish him all the best in the coming school year.
