Richard E. Mantell has been directly associated with the School District of Philadelphia for over forty-six years. As a student in the district, he graduated from Central High School and went on as a successful teacher, coach and department chair. He has served as an administrator at Olney High School, Kensington High School and has spent the last eleven years at Frankford High School.

He is most proud of his numerous team and individual gymnastic championships and the athletes he had the honor of coaching. In addition, his work with the Pew Trust during the early days of high school reform brought great professional satisfaction.

At Kensington High School Richard worked directly with the Community Development Corporation to obtain the sites, which would become the current annex configurations.

While at Frankford High School, Richard reorganized the school into seven autonomous Small Learning Communities. In 1998, the school was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, as a New American High School Design Center. From the effort came our Culinary Arts program, which is arguably the finest and most successful public high school program in the nation.

The following year, the National Basketball Association recognized Frankford High School as its National Award Winner for Community Service and broadcast their national program “Inside Stuff” from the Frankford High School auditorium.

Currently, Richard obtains much satisfaction working with a very dedicated staff whose foci are the complexities and challenges of urban education. One of his greatest pleasures is watching and supporting the efforts of Culinary Instructor, Wilma Stephenson, as she literally transforms the lives of her students.

This past summer, Richard presented at the Sino-American Principal’s Forum in Beijing, China. This provided a rich opportunity to explore the cuisine. An amateur bread baker, he remains in pursuit of the ultimate baguette.