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.
Amber Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal
It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I write this letter of introduction as the new assistant principal of John Hope Franklin Elementary School. With over 14 years of experience in education, I firmly believe in a strong home-to-school connection. By working together, we can make sure every child’s academic, social, and emotional needs are met.
Most recently, I served as the counselor at Sapulpa Middle School in the Sapulpa Public School District. In a school of approximately 500 students, encompassing sixth and seventh grade, my responsibilities included facilitating IEP and FBA/BIP meetings, managing the school’s counseling program, serving as the alternate Incident Commander for the school’s Safety Team, leading staff members through state testing each year, scheduling, overseeing 504 plans, and serving as a mediator for various meetings. Prior to Sapulpa Middle School, I was a Pre-K, Kindergarten, Second, and Third grade teacher for Tulsa Public Schools. As a classroom teacher, I collaborated with other grade level staff members to develop standards-based curriculum, implemented current technologies to enhance learning opportunities, and created a classroom environment that supported the needs of all students.
My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, a Master of Science in School Counseling and a Master of Science in School Administration from Northeastern State University. I currently reside in Jenks with my husband David, our daughter Kennedy, and our two dogs Bingo and Doc.
If you have any questions, please feel free to stop in, call, or email me as the year progresses.
Kelley Blakney
Principal
blaknke@tulsaschools.org
Erica Fraser
Assistant Principal
fraseer@tulsaschools.org
Amber Fitzgerald
Assistant Principal
fitzgam2@tulsaschools.org