Leadership
Kelley Blakney, Principal
Mrs. Blakney is the 2019-2020 opening principal of John Hope Franklin Elementary following her service to students and families at Alexander Graham Bell as principal for 5 years. She also served at Gilcrease Elementary (as teacher, principal intern and assistant principal), Key Elementary (principal intern), Anderson Elementary (4th grade teacher), Sam Houston Elementary (5th grade teacher), Gilcrease Middle School (6th grade teacher) and Barnard Elementary (2nd grade teacher).
She earned her undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama and her graduate degree from the University of Texas in Arlington in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Her graduate study and years of experience in Tulsa Public Schools inform her leadership and teaching & learning approach, she believes that literacy, enrichment and social justice are the keys to academic success for scholars.
Mrs. Blakney believes a collaborative school environment, culturally responsive practices and a culture of feedback and support are the keys to creating successful students and teachers. She believes partnerships with parents and community partners are essential to enriching the experience at John Hope Franklin Elementary.
Mrs. Blakney began her teaching career in Houston, Texas in the Aldine I.S.D. School district. Oklahoma has since been considered “home” to Mrs. Blakney, however she was born and raised in Berkeley, California and still enjoys visiting family and friends. She enjoys all things school, travel, her family & friends, water destinations, reading, shopping, technology, crafts, music, ministry, working in the community and learning new things!
She is most proud of being the wife to Brian Sr. and being mom to Brian Jr., Kensington and Chewy (her puppy)!
She looks forward to carrying the torch forward onto Destination Excellence and working to ensure every child moves closer to their highest potential.
Erica Fraser, Assistant Principal
Erica Fraser began her career at Tulsa Public Schools over 20 years ago as a first grade teacher. Before joining John Hope Franklin Elementary, Ms. Fraser served at Anderson, Hawthorne, Penn, and Bell in the roles of teacher, math coach, instructional facilitator, and administrator.
She received her undergraduate degree from Langston University in Elementary Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma State University. Ms. Fraser believes there is greatness in every child and inspires students to be their best even when the odds are against them.
She enjoys traveling, reading, and aqua aerobics.
Heather Palmer, Dean
I have worked with children and families for 25 years. My career began working as a social worker in the field of foster care and adoption. During my time working as a social worker, I worked with an adoption agency that placed over 1,000 special needs kids with forever families. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma in 2011. While working on my master’s degree, I had the privilege of interning for the Tulsa Area Community School Initiative and at Marshall Elementary. This began my career in the field of education. After graduating from OU, I began working for TPS the fall of 2011. I worked as a community school coordinator at Remington Elementary School for 4 years. In 2015-16, I began working as a school counselor, serving students at Hamilton Elementary, Remington Elementary, and Project ACCEPT. In 2019-20, I served as Interim principal at Project ACCEPT. As a life-long learner I am working on my doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership. I look forward to continuing to learn and walk in purpose as I grow with new leadership in the 2020-21 school year.
Kelley Blakney
Principal
blaknke@tulsaschools.org
Erica Fraser
Assistant Principal
fraseer@tulsaschools.org
Heather Palmer
Dean
palmehe@tulsaschools.org