Meet Noble Schools’ Principals (Part Four)

A collage of five images that show the principals of Gary Comer College Prep, ITW David Speer Academy, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Baker College Prep, and Rauner College Prep. They are all doing a variety of activities or with family members and friends.

Published On: October 31st, 2024Categories: 2024, Baker College Prep, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Gary Comer College Prep, Gary Comer Middle School, ITW David Speer Academy, Rauner College Prep, Staff

This is the fourth and final part of our series featuring all of Noble Schools’ principals. If you haven’t yet, check out part three which featured the principals of Noble Street College Prep, Pritzker College Prep, UIC College Prep, and The Noble Academy.

We’re wrapping up this blog series with our last five principal features! This time, we’re hearing from the principals of Gary Comer College Prep, ITW David Speer Academy, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Baker College Prep, and Rauner College Prep.

PRINCIPAL JUDONNE HEMINGWAY | GARY COMER COLLEGE PREP

JuDonne Hemingway is the principal of Gary Comer College Prep, grades 6-12. She got her Bachelor of Arts in English from Chicago State University and her Master of Arts in Secondary Education and Teaching from Marian University.

Prior to being a school principal, JuDonne served as the senior managing director of leadership development at Teach For America Indianapolis. She also served as the assistant principal of academics at Butler College Prep.

JuDonne is also the president and founder of the Foundation for Racial Equity in Education (F.R.E.E) a high impact fellowship for leaders of color in education.

As principal, she leads her team of 140 staff members to provide an anti-racist school environment that focuses on joy, rigor, and relevancy—where all 1100+ scholars are affirmed, challenged, and celebrated for both who they are and what they hope to become.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Chicago/your campus neighborhood?

A: My favorite thing about Chicago is the people. The love, the swag, the lingo, the heart, the resilience. There is nothing like a Chicagoan, especially one born and raised on the city’s South Side. Those people are special, beautiful and distinct. Those people are my students, my family, my friends, and my children.

Q: What is the best deep dish pizza place in the city?

A: Lately I’ve been on Lou Malnati’s. Obviously the traditional spots still hold the crown but Beggars ain’t that bad either. Now, if we talking thin crust, it’s Italian Fiesta all day.

Q: If you weren’t a principal, what would you be doing instead?

A: If I weren’t a principal, I’d be still be doing purpose work—the work of equity liberation and justice. Whether through my own business and organization, F.R.E.E, or in partnership with another mission-driven organization, I plan to forever be tethered to the work of creating access and opportunity for Black and Brown students and communities. At some point in my life, I hope to own a bookstore .

CHECK OUT HEMINGWAY’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Hemingway standing and smiling behind a big sculpture sign that says "Comer"

A family photo of Hemingway and her family. They are all dressed up in white and are posed in front of a white background.

A photo of Hemingway's daughter with her partner and baby.

Hemingway with Comer staff at a conference.

PRINCIPAL JORDAN KRUGER | ITW DAVID SPEER ACADEMY

Jordan Kruger was born and raised in Chicago and has a deeply rooted love for the city. He majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology and minored in Chemistry at the University of Illinois.

Passionate about STEAM education, he joined Teach for America in 2006 to teach high school science on the west side of Chicago at Orr High School. He joined Noble in 2008 and taught Physics, Chemistry, and AP Biology at Rauner College Prep. In 2013, Kruger worked with other founding administrators to create a STEM high school in Chicago—ITW David Speer Academy—where he now serves as principal.

Kruger’s mission is to provide any student in Chicago, regardless of background, with an education that will prepare them for the future of their choice. He hopes to develop Speer into the greatest STEAM school in the country.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Chicago/your campus neighborhood?

A: Chicago is the greatest city on planet Earth for many reasons. There’s an undeniable magic here, one that comes from the people, the landscape, the music, the history, and our shared experiences. There are so many reasons I love this city:

First and foremost, it’s the people. Chicagoans are some of the most kind and passionate individuals you’ll ever meet. Whether you’re at a neighborhood festival, cheering in the bleachers at Wrigley, or simply walking down the street, there’s an energy that connects us all. People here are proud of where they’re from, and that pride shows in how we look out for each other, especially in tough times.

Another aspect of the city I am inspired by is the natural beauty around Lake Michigan. There’s something so calming about walking along the lakefront, no matter the season.

Chicago’s rich history also draws me in. From the Great Chicago Fire to the rise of our world-famous architecture, our city has been shaped by resilience and innovation. I love exploring neighborhoods where you can see and feel the past and present.

Of course, I can’t leave out sports. There’s nothing quite like being a Chicago sports fan. It isn’t always a pleasant experience when our teams have a “building season”, but there is a certain level of pride that comes from the perpetual optimism shared by our fans and how we die hard for our teams year after year!

Ultimately, what I appreciate most about Chicago is our resolve. This city has faced its share of challenges, but each time, we come together and rise above. When we unite as Chicagoans, there is nothing we can’t overcome.

I am proud to call Chicago my home!

Q: What is the best deep dish pizza place in the city?

A: Best deep dish Pizza is Uno’s downtown.

Q: If you weren’t a principal, what would you be doing instead?

A: I would be teaching science to Noble students.

CHECK OUT KRUGER’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Kruger with family smiling with a mountain and lake in the background

In this photo, you can see Principal Jordan Kruger of ITW David Speer Academy talking with a student on the school stairs. In the background, you can see two other students standing on the stairs behind Kruger.

PRINCIPAL JONAS CLEAVES | CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP

Jonas Cleaves is the new principal of Chicago Bulls College Prep. He is a native Chicagoan, Army veteran and a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University and Lehigh University (MEd.).

His desire to make an impact in the education world was sparked while managing a prisoner re-entry program. This new passion and subsequent urgency led him to join a founding team of administrators in opening Muchin College Prep where he served as dean of culture and assistant principal.

After seven years at Muchin, Cleaves was selected to be a resident in The New Teacher Project’s (TNTP) school leadership program in Philadelphia, PA. Upon completing the program, Mr. Cleaves was selected as the founding principal of Bluff City High School in Memphis, TN. During his tenure, Bluff City HS was awarded the highest academic school rating from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Prior to Bulls Prep, Cleaves led Johnson College Prep, where he successfully helped reimagine the school community and fostered partnerships that will positively impact future generations.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Chicago/your campus neighborhood?

A: I love living in a city with four seasons but summer and fall are top of the list. There is always something to do in and around the city during the summer and fall weather and the changing colors are incredible!

Q: What is the best deep dish pizza place in the city?

A: Do Chicagoans really love deep dish?! I don’t remember the last time I had deep dish. It may be more of a tourist go-to but check Giordano’s if you are looking!

P.S. We love our pizza cut in squares – Signed, Chicago.

Q: If you weren’t a principal, what would you be doing instead?

A: Coaching sports! I love the strategy of pre-game planning and seeing others develop and win.

CHECK OUT CLEAVES’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Cleaves standing with two young students, one of whom is in graduation robes. They are all smiling for a photo outside.

Cleaves' young child outside a building and amongst a crowd of people. She looks ready for school with a uniform and backpack on.

Cleaves' young daughter in the car. She is smiling brightly.

PRINCIPAL MARY ARRIGO | BAKER COLLEGE PREP

Mary Arrigo began her career teaching high school English in 2006 as a member of the charter corps of Teach for America- Connecticut. After completing her Teach for America tenure, Arrigo served as an advisor to new Corps Members

From 2008 to 2012, she was a founding instructor, advisor, volleyball coach, and English Department chair at Noble’s UIC College Prep. During this time, she also attended the KIPP School Leadership Program. After that, she served as the manager of recruitment and authorization for the Office of New Schools at Chicago Public Schools.

In 2013, Arrigo returned to Noble as the founding dean of students of Baker College Prep. After serving as dean of students and then as assistant principal, Arrigo was selected to become principal of Baker College Prep in 2017.

Arrigo is proud of the amazing work her team of educators has done to provide students in South Chicago with life changing educational opportunities.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Chicago/your campus neighborhood?

A: The South Chicago neighborhood is such a gem! There is a special sense of pride that we all have in being Chicagoans, and I see that pride radiate in a very special way in the people of South Chicago. So many of our Baker parents have grown up in the neighborhood and have chosen to raise their families there. They are proud of where they are from and committed to the future of the community. I love getting the opportunity to share in that experience. That, and the pizza from Italian Fiesta.

Q: What is the best deep dish pizza place in the city?

A: Connie’s in Bridgeport is a gem. You can’t beat their sauce.

Q: If you weren’t a principal, what would you be doing instead?

A: I would love to travel with my family and write for a travel publication. I would love to see more of the world and allow my kids to grow up with such a unique experience. But, my husband and I are both from Chicago, so we’d definitely have a hard time leaving.

CHECK OUT ARRIGO’S PHOTO ALBUM:

PRINCIPAL CICELE BENNETT | RAUNER COLLEGE PREP

Cicele Bennett is proud to serve the Rauner College Prep school community. In her twenty years as an educator, she’s worn many hats—all in the pursuit of providing students with a rigorous, engaging school experience that allows them to achieve ambitious goals.

Bennett earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in social sciences from Indiana University–Bloomington and her Master of Education in Curriculum Studies with a concentration on school leadership from DePaul University.

Prior to becoming principal, Bennett served as Noble’s principal resident. In that role, she had visibility to the interworking of school-based leadership teams within Noble. This experience codified her understanding of and belief in principalship.

Bennett loves to travel and do word searches in her free time. She lives in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood with her husband, two sons, and dog, Scout.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Chicago/your campus neighborhood?

A: There are so many Chicagos! Every neighborhood has its own unique identity and vibe. It’s not uncommon for me to pretend to be a tourist in my own city. The diversity in cultures and people is so fun and exciting to experience. It makes me proud to call Chicago home.

Q: What is the best deep dish pizza place in the city?

A: Pequods! The crust is so buttery and yet crispy and delicious. I said what I said!

Q: If you weren’t a principal, what would you be doing instead?

A: I’d be a park ranger at the National Mall in Washington D.C. I am a history teacher by trade & training, and I miss teaching it terribly. I would love to give the history of our nation at the nation’s capital, and of course, wear that spiffy uniform!