Meet Noble Schools' Principals (Part One)

A collage of four images that show the principals of Johnson College Prep, Golder College Prep, Muchin College Prep, and DRW College Prep in various settings and with family, friends, and coworkers.

Published On: October 23rd, 2024Categories: 2024, DRW College Prep, Golder College Prep, Johnson College Prep, Muchin College Prep, Staff

As we celebrate Principal Appreciation Week, we wanted to feature ALL of our principals so our whole Noble community can get to know them.

To kick off, we’re featuring the principals of DRW College Prep, Muchin College Prep, Johnson College Prep, and Golder College Prep!

Stay tuned! We’ll return with more photos and details from our other 13 principals as we continue to celebrate.

PRINCIPAL TINA ELLIS | DRW COLLEGE PREP

Tina Ellis, the principal at DRW College Prep, is a dedicated and innovative educational leader with over a decade of experience in transforming schools and student outcomes.

Since stepping into the role at DRW, Ellis has been instrumental in introducing new initiatives that have improved both school culture and academic performance. One of her most impactful contributions has been the introduction of the Ninth Grade Academy, which is designed to give incoming freshmen a strong start to their high school journey.

Tina’s commitment to equity and data-driven decision-making has led DRW College Prep to see positive changes in college preparedness, student behavior, and staff collaboration. Known for her hands-on leadership and her ability to inspire both students and staff, Tina continues to push DRW toward excellence by creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every student can succeed.

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

A: One of my favorite things about Chicago is Lake Michigan. The lakefront brings me peace and joy. I love walking by the shore, enjoying the calm atmosphere. Driving by the lake in the morning and evening always gives me a beautiful, uplifting view. Its natural beauty is a refreshing break from the city’s energy, and it’s where I feel most at ease.

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

A: Lou Malnati’s is the best deep dish in Chicago because of the buttery crust. Yummy!

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

A: If I weren’t a principal, I think I’d be a nurse. Nursing appeals to me because it combines my desire to help others with my passion for creating a positive impact. The idea of being able to care for people during some of their most vulnerable moments while also being part of a team that works toward improving their health feels incredibly fulfilling. Just like in education, it’s about making a difference in people’s lives—only in a different, deeply personal way.

CHECK OUT ELLIS’ PHOTO ALBUM:

Principal Ellis with many staff members at DRW College Prep, all dressed up in pink.

Principal Tina Ellis at DRW College Prep is posing in the main hall with peace signs.

Principal Tina Ellis poses with staff and students in a photobooth for DRW's house sorting day.

PRINCIPAL EMILY LOCKHART | MUCHIN COLLEGE PREP

Growing up in Minnesota, Emily Lockhart learned the value of education through her parents, both teachers in their local school district. Upon graduation from DePauw University, she joined the Teach for America corps in St. Louis, where she taught middle school math. In 2009, she moved to Chicago to become the founding algebra teacher at Muchin College Prep. Over eight years, Lockhart taught and led as math department chair and dean of instruction. While at Muchin, she earned her Master in Educational Leadership from National Louis University, in partnership with the KIPP School Leadership Program.

She transitioned to principal in 2016, and served as school leader of Muchin College Prep for seven years. Lockhart transitioned to Accelerate Institute as senior director of curriculum and assessment in 2022 where she provided leadership coaching and development to Chicago Public Schools principals. Lockhart dearly missed the principal role as well as the Muchin College Prep community and is endlessly thankful for being able to return as principal at Muchin.

Outside of her career, Lockhart loves spending time with her husband, daughter, dog, and extended family, who fill her cup every single day!

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

A: Muchin College Prep being in The Loop means that we have young people from 50+ zip codes across Chicago coming to high school in the center of our beautiful city. We are one of the most diverse student and staff bodies across the city, and this makes our school community culturally rich!

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

A: Giordano’s cannot be beat. Ever. Period. Why? Because it’s the only real deep dish crust that’s out there. Everyone else imitates!

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

A: If I weren’t a principal, I would be an interior decorator. I love getting my house cleaned, organized, decluttered, and picking up decor from around the world to add to the beauty of my home. Our homes are our sanctuaries, and it gives me great joy to beautify my home. It would be amazing to be able to do this for other people as well!

CHECK OUT LOCKHART’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Lockhart with her husband and daugher outside. The city skyline of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania is behind them.

Selfie of Lockhart and her small daughter making silly faces at the camera.

Lockhart with her staff members at Muchin College Prep. Many of them are wearing black t-shirts that say "1 Team, 1 Dream, 1 North State"

Lockhart holding her daughter on the shore of a beach.

Selfie of Lockhart with her friend outside.

PRINCIPAL HAMZA SALAMEH | JOHNSON COLLEGE PREP

Hamza Salameh is a Chicago native and first-generation college graduate. After high school, Salameh went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Arts in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. His desire to work in education was sparked from his own experiences with inequity in education, specifically for those at the margins.

In 2015, Salameh began his work with Noble Schools at Johnson College Prep as a math teacher. It was through his work in the classroom that he was really able to see the impact that the classroom experience can provide for students. After 4 years in the classroom, Salameh transitioned into leadership, becoming the dean of instruction for STEM courses at Johnson. He then went on to serve as the assistant principal of instruction.

Outside of Johnson, Salameh enjoys spending time with family and friends and bike riding along the lake path.

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

A: My favorite thing about Chicago has got to be the food! I have a list of my 100 favorite restaurants in Chicago, and the list is still growing! I also really love the lakefront. During the summers, I ride my bike along the path almost daily. Most importantly, I have a deep love for the Englewood Community. I am big on people and some of the best relationships I have were formed as part of the Englewood community.

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

A: Probably Pequods! I am not a huge fan of deep dish but love the pan-style!

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

A: If I weren’t a principal, I’d likely still be working in education but on the data side of things. I have always had a deep love for mathematics and believe it is one of the most important tools we have to create positive multi-generational change!

CHECK OUT SALAMEH’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Salameh with some of his coworkers. They are all dressed up nicely.

Salameh with some of his coworkers at the Noble Schools kickoff event for the 2023-2024 school year.

Salameh with Noble CEO Constance Jones and other school staff. They are posing in the Johnson hallway in front of a big decal of the Puma mascot.

Salamah presenting to students at Johnson College Prep.

JESSIE WEINGARTNER | GOLDER COLLEGE PREP

Originally from Hyde Park, Chicago, Jessie Weingartner is the proud principal of Golder College Prep. Weingartner began her career at Noble in the summer of 2014 as the founding assistant dean of students of The Noble Academy. At The Noble Academy, Weingarter taught 9th grade English, served as the dean of students, and assistant principal of the upperschool, and most recently, assistant principal of academics.

Prior to joining Noble, she taught 2nd and 3rd grade special education in New Orleans and served as her school’s RTI Coordinator, implementing academic and behavioral interventions for students in grades K-4th. Jessie earned her bachelor’s from Duke University and then her Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston in 2016. In 2017, she completed Noble’s Principal Fellowship.

Weingartner believes in rigorous academics for all students and is unapologetic about creating a caring, kind, and academically challenging school where all students thrive.

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

A: I grew up in the city of Chicago, and I love Chicago food and Chicago people! Golder is in West Town, and we are lucky enough to have new restaurants as well as mom and pop shops that have been in our community for generations. Some of my students’ families even own their own restaurants!

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

A: Lou Malnati’s. Period. Freshest tomato sauce.

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

A: I’d be teaching early childhood. My background is in elementary special education, and I think the cognitive capacities of little children are amazing. I have three children—two of whom are babies/toddlers, and it’s such a joy seeing how their brain works. At my core, I love teaching kids.