Project Description
Rhonda Butler, Fellow
Robert A. Black Magnet School
Chicago, IL
Rhonda Butler is serving her 7th year as the proud Principal of Robert A. Black Magnet School, a level 1+ School. She has 25 years of experience as an educator with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). In 2020, Ms. Butler was named Chicago Public School’s “Game Changer of the Year,” recognizing distinguished leaders who have done an exceptional job realizing the vision for their school, promoting equity and inclusion, and closing the achievement gap. Ms. Butler holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Technology and Curriculum and Instruction. She also successfully completed the New Leaders Aspiring Principals Program. She has served in several key leadership roles that impacted student achievement, which led to steady academic growth, including assistant principal, resident principal, data specialist, gifted program coordinator, academic interventionist, Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) lead teacher, instructional coach, technology teacher, grant writing chairperson, and mentor teacher. In addition to her many leadership hats, Ms. Butler has raised over 2.2 million dollars in grants and donations to help provide equitable opportunities to the underserved students of the southside of Chicago.
Marla Broy, Ally
Assistant Principal
Robert A. Black Magnet School
Chicago, IL
Marla Broy began her educational leadership journey as a 1990 Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois where she committed to become a highly effective teacher in Illinois schools-of-need. Marla has been the proud assistant principal of Robert A. Black Magnet School since 2019. She also has 5 years as a STEM Coach and 21 years as a teacher. Marla Broy believes that all students are capable of learning and leads this work by building the capacity of teachers, teacher teams, and focusing on student and parent engagement. Marla was born and raised on the southside of Chicago and is a proud product of Chicago Public Schools. She received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University in Chicago and a Masters of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University in School Leadership. Some of her proudest accomplishments include student achievement, parent engagement, MTSS, magnet school focus, advancement of school leaders, and strong partnerships to educate and support the whole child.