Meet our 24-25 Academic Leaders  

Ikheem Rhodes - Principal

Ikheem Rhodes is an accomplished and passionate education leader, currently serving as the Principal of Russell Byers Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a distinguished career that spans over 15 years in education, Mr. Rhodes is known for his empathetic leadership, dedication to academic excellence, and commitment to creating a positive and inclusive school environment. Mr. Rhodes holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification (K-12) from Cabrini University, and a Master of Education in Elementary Education (K-6) from Cheyney University. His academic foundation is complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Johnson C. Smith University, which has enriched his approach to effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

Before his current role, Mr. Rhodes served as Assistant Principal at Universal Institute Charter School, where he played a pivotal role in significantly improving student outcomes. His leadership led to a 94% reduction in out-of-school suspensions and substantial increases in proficiency rates across science, math, and English language arts.
His ability to analyze data and implement targeted interventions has been a hallmark of his success in fostering academic growth. In addition to his administrative roles, Mr. Rhodes has made significant contributions as a science instructional coach, mentor, and facilitator of professional development. He has provided district-wide training in classroom management and instructional strategies, helping educators enhance their practice and better support student learning.

Mr. Rhodes’s expertise also extends to school climate management, where he has guided schools through implementing restorative behavioral interventions and coordinating targeted support services for students. His work in these areas has been instrumental in creating safe and nurturing environments where students can thrive both academically and socially. Mr. Rhodes is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, reflecting his ongoing dedication to leadership, service, and community engagement. His broad skill set, which includes strategic planning, teacher performance analysis, and program development, underscores his capacity to drive meaningful change in educational settings. As Principal of Russell Byers Charter School, Ikheem Rhodes continues to inspire and lead with a vision centered on educational excellence, equity, and a deep commitment to the success of every student.

Kara Franklin - Assistant Principal, K-5 

Kara Franklin was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a native of the city, she is a product of both the Philadelphia public schooland private school systems. She began working in education at 14 years of age through the city's Youth Works program and has taught various ages in independent, charter, and public schools. AP Franklin holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University and a Master's Degree in School Leadership from the Univesity of Pennsylvania. Alongside these degrees, AP Franklin holds an Instructional II Certification for grades K-6, and she also holds an Instructional I Administrative K-12 certification. At the core of her work, AP Franklin believes in strong relationships and tangible experiences to enhance instruction and improve student outcomes. 

Duane Watts - Assistant Principal, 6-8

Duane Watts is a dedicated educator anchored in serving students and families in urban communities. His educational philosophy, rooted in the foundation of empathy and equity, serves as a cornerstone of his work. He studied Business Management & Computer Science at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Eastern University. Mr. Watts went on to earn a Master of Education in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification (K-12) from Holy Family University.

 Prior to becoming an educator, he had over 20 years of accounting and finance experience for many corporate and nonprofit organizations. He transferred his years of experience in the business sector to education and served in the Philadelphia area through the Teach for America initiative. Mr. Watts taught Middle Years Math for Mastery Charter School - Shoemaker Campus and Middle School Mathematics at Edward T. Steel School eventually serving as the school’s Mathematics Academic Instructional Coach. He has been featured and recognized by the School District of Philadelphia for his work and was named the Edward T. Steel School Teacher of the Year for 2020. His tenure in the district as an Instructional Coach was marked by significant accomplishments including leading the team of teachers to the highest mathematics benchmark student growth in the school district. In this same capacity, Mr. Watts facilitated effective professional developments on the district-wide, school network, and school-based levels where data results were paired with instructional interventions.

 Mr. Watts is a featured participant in the Peacock Network’s social justice educational documentary, “Black Boy”. Mr. Watts has served as a co-host on the weekly internet radio show “Accentuate The Positive” while being a segment guest on the Heart of The City Radio show and a featured guest on the educational professional podcast Catching Up with Casey. He is a member of the National Council for the Teachers of Mathematics serving on the Program Committee for the 2024 joint conference with the National Council for Teachers of English where the connection between literacy and mathematics was the focus.

 Mr. Watts advocates for youth across vast communities through youth sports, ministry, and mentoring. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he leads a mentorship program through the Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. titled Rho Achievement & Leadership Academy (RALA). His experience includes serving as Assistant Coach and Head Coach for JV and Varsity Basketball teams while facilitating mentorships involving student-athletes and as well as non-student athletes. Mr. Watts continues to consult for athletic programs of local schools and provides conditioning & skills camps for the athletes. He facilitates Saturday Skills & Drills Sessions and Summer Basketball Camp for Urban Youth Kings and Queens held at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Mr. Watts’ skills and expertise translate into instructional coaching, teacher development, curriculum implementation, data analysis, and community building.

Michelle Ottey - Director of Special Education

Michelle Ottey has been the Director of Special Education at Russell Byers Charter School for the past two school years.  Previously she was a Special Education Liaison within the Universal Family of Schools for 3 years.  Prior to that she was a math instructional coach and a middle school math teacher at Universal Institute Charter School.  Michelle is very passionate about education and believes every student can and should succeed.  She strives to partner with other leadership team members and members of each IEP team to ensure that every student is receiving the best quality special education programming and services at Russell Byers.