Meet Noble Schools’ Principals (Part Four)

"meet noble schools principals pt 4" a collage

Published On: October 31st, 2023Categories: 2023, 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 Principal Appreciation Month 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 song?

A: “Victoria Monet’s ‘On My Mama’. Aside from it being a TikTok favorite, I love this song because it helps me remember my power and reminds me of my confidence and audacity—all of these are critical to my ability to authentically lead, especially when life and the challenges of the work are getting the best of me.“

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

A: “Comer is in the Greater Grand Crossing area and what I love the most about this neighborhood is the interconnectedness. Comer is Grand Crossing and vice versa. I walk the neighborhood nearly every day talking to neighbors, community organizers, and businesses. We are all committed to growing our connection and being in lockstep when it comes to our scholars.

What I love most about Chicago is the brilliance of neighborhoods like Greater Grand Crossing and Roseland where I am from. I believe neighborhoods like these are the heartbeats of this city – from the food to the festivals, the culture the music, the swag, and the lingo. We are the epicenter.“

Q: What is one thing that is bringing you joy right now outside of work?

A: “I’ve gotten back into reading fiction for fun and I really enjoy curling up with a good book. I also have the time of my life scrolling through funny videos online. This is usually my go-to after a full day’s work because it requires very little thinking on my part. I just swipe up and laugh aloud!“

CHECK OUT HEMINGWAY’S PHOTO ALBUM:

hemingway posed with her children smiling with a sparkly gold background

Hemingway posed with her family in matching Christmas pajamas and a Christmas tree with gifts under in the background

Hemingway and a young girl smashing pumpkins with a bat

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 song?

A: “Our 4-year-old daughter, Amelia, is very into Frozen right now and, in particular, is obsessed with Queen Elsa and the song ‘Let It Go’. Because it is in my head for the better part of each day, I have made it somewhat of my mantra in October when we are all a little fatigued from the start of the year. When things are out of my control, I imagine myself holding my arms out straight like Queen Elsa bolding, proclaiming to that problem that I am going to ‘let it go!'”

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

A: “I love Chicago; I was born and raised here and love the Belmont-Cragin and Austin Neighborhoods we serve. We have wonderful diversity at Speer, and we get to represent and celebrate many different cultures and traditions proudly. I love everything about Chicago, but the thing I have to say I enjoy the most is all of the unbelievable food we have. Fantastic food options surround our campus location; we are minutes away from dozens of great taco places, incredible jibaritos, and great fried shrimp across the street.”

Q: What is one thing that is bringing you joy right now outside of work?

A: “I have had the opportunity to get into classrooms and be a part of our athletics programs more this year than in recent years. So, the thing I am enjoying most right now is sharing moments with our kids because they are amazing! I am proud to be Speer’s principal and serve our incredible students and families.“

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.

INTERIM PRINCIPAL GEOMELE MOYA | CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP

Geomele Moya is proud to continue serving the Chicago Bulls College Prep community in her new role as the interim principal. Moya grew up in and around Chicago. She graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. During her senior year of college, an opportunity to tutor elementary school students helped her realize that she wanted to pursue a career in education.

Her first three years in education were spent working at South Shore School of Technology in the Grand Crossing neighborhood as a math teacher. Before transitioning to Noble, Geomele coached 18 teachers across the city of Chicago for a year.

In 2011, Geomele joined Noble as an 11th-grade math teacher and math department chair at Gary Comer College Prep. Geomele remained at Gary Comer College Prep for eight years in a number of different roles. In 2018, she completed Noble’s Principal Fellowship program.

After eight years at Gary Comer, Geomele transitioned to Chicago Bulls College Prep to be the dean of students, and later, the assistant principal of student support. She loves the students, staff and families of Chicago Bulls College Prep and is proud to be a Bull!

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “‘Unstoppable’ by Sia is back at the top of my list. I feel like it has the energy I need to head into the day. “

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

A: “I love watching the Chicago Marathon because you see people cheer on strangers. Whether it’s spectators cheering on a runner or runners supporting one another, I love the kindness of it all.“

Q: What is one thing that is bringing you joy right now outside of work?

A: “My 8 month old daughter, Antonia, is a joy to come home to every day. I feel blessed to have her in my life and love watching all of the changes she has gone through (and will go through) in this first year of her life. I especially love getting to go to swim classes with her on the weekends.”

CHECK OUT MOYA’S PHOTO ALBUM:

moya and family outside smiling, moya is wearing a graduation cap and gown

moya and partner dancing in wedding attire

moya with a baby strapped to her chest smiling, both wearing sunglasses

moya's two fluffy fur dogs laying in bed

PRINCIPAL MARY ARRIGO | BAKER COLLEGE PREP

Mary Arrigo began teaching secondary English and literature in 2006 as part of Teach for America- Connecticut. After completing her Teach for America tenure, Arrigo served as an advisor to new corps members at the Teach for America Summer Institute in Philadelphia.

From 2008 to 2012, she was a teacher, coach, and English department chair at UIC College Prep. During this time, she also attended the KIPP School Leadership program in New York City.

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

Arrigo is eager to lead the amazing team of educators at Baker to continue providing students on the South Side of Chicago with life-changing educational opportunities.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “‘Calling Your Name’ by Jon Batiste. It’s got simple, beautiful lyrics and a great melody. I also love his voice, and the song plays in my head all day!”

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 one thing that is bringing you joy right now outside of work?

A: “I am a mom to two daughters- Grace (7) and Rose (4). It is such a privilege to see them learn and grow. They keep me on my toes, and they crack me up every day!“

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 aa 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 lives on the South Side with her husband and two sons.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “‘Calm Down’ by Selena Gomez and Rema. It’s just a vibe. It makes me want to dance and have fun!”

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

A: “There are so many Chicagos! I love how each neighborhood puts its own unique spin on what it means to be from Chicago. I love to be a tourist in my own city, by trying new restaurants, attending the various festivals, and even looking at the different architecture throughout the city. Chicago truly is a special place!”

Q: What is one thing that is bringing you joy right now outside of work?

A: “Rauner athletics and clubs are bringing me massive joy right now. It’s great to see a different side of my students as they engage in practices, meetings, and games. My students work really hard academically and play really hard on the field and meeting rooms. They are truly moving towards our vision of being College-Bound and World Ready. My family is a constant source of joy, specifically my two sons. Watching them grow up is so humbling. Being a mom really informs and inspires me to be the best principal for the students at Rauner College Prep.“