Obra D. Tompkins, Jr.

Obra D. Tompkins was a young teacher from Hempstead​ who had a desire to be closer to home and family. This desire began a legacy of service to Katy students that spans nearly 40 years. O.D. Tompkins had originally intended to study law, but both of​ his parents were teachers who urged him to teach after seeing what so many have seen over the years - a passion for helping youngsters and an almost uncanny ability to connect with people.

His career in the classroom started a little earlier than he had planned. In 1975, he was scheduled to do his student teaching and complete his Bachelor of Science from Prairie View A&M University, when he got a call from Beaumont, Texas, asking if he would consider teaching industrial arts at Forest Park High School. South Park ISD was willing to combine his student teaching requirements with a paid assignment. After two years, an opportunity to teach math, industrial arts and coach basketball at Katy Junior High​ was too good to pass up.

His years at KJH were immersed in Katy ISD's emerging legacy. Among his professional colleagues were Sue Creech, Jamie Wolman and Roger Beck. However, no one was a greater influence than the math teacher across the hall - Roosevelt Alexander - who eventually became his principal and encouraged him to step into administration. Before moving to West Memorial Junior High as assistant principal in 1987, it took him "hours sitting in the car" to work up the courage to tell his friend and mentor he was leaving.

He served at WMJH until 1994, when he moved to McDonald Junior High as principal. In 1999, he joined Mayde Creek High School, where he pioneered Project​ Lead the Way, student ID badges (that became the district norm) and credit recovery (KOLA) classes that inspired Raines High School.

In 2009, he became Executive Director for campus administrative support, a position he held until retirement in 2012.

Throughout his career, Obra D. Tompkins was a mentor to teachers and administrators, a model for students, and an inspiration to everyone he met. He was always visible - in hallways, on the sidelines and at performances....and he still is at Obra D. Tompkins High School.