Meet Noble Schools' Principals (Part Two)

Published On: October 16th, 2023Categories: 2023, Butler College Prep, Hansberry College Prep, Mansueto High School, Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, Staff

This is the second part of a series featuring all of Noble Schools’ principals. If you haven’t yet, check out the first part which featured the principals of DRW College Prep, Muchin College Prep, Johnson College Prep, and Golder College Prep.

We’re continuing to celebrate Principal Appreciation Month with four more principal features! This time, we’re hearing from the principals of Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, Butler College Prep, Mansueto High School, and Hansberry College Prep.

Stay tuned for Part Three!

PRINCIPAL MIRACLE MOSS | ROWE-CLARK MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY

Miracle Moss was born on the south side of Chicago and raised in the Englewood area. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lewis University and her Master of Education in Curriculum & Instructional Leadership from Chicago State University.

In 2014, she began her work at Noble as the dean of students at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy. She was then subsequently promoted to director of student support and, after that, assistant principal of culture. In 2021, she became the principal of Rowe-Clark.

She is the mother of three beautiful girls, and she is passionate about the work she does daily, both at home and on the job. She firmly believes that children cannot be what they do not see. As a principal, co-advisor, dance instructor, cheerleading coach, and mother, she constantly reminds her students and children that having a seat at the table to create change is essential.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “‘Pretty Day’ by Limoblaze & Madison Ryan Ward

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

A: “I love the culture of my school community. Rowe-Clark is a special place, and regardless of the different paths we take individually, the core of our community is the pillar of family. We embrace each other as if we are family members. We laugh, cry, smile, love, persist, and work hard with and for each other.”

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

A: “Watching my 20-year-old college student balance her education and sports requirements brings me true joy. She is entering her junior year of college and is doing well academically, and she has broken several records in Acrotumbling as a black woman. She was named the first Rookie of the Year for Oregon’s Acrobatic and Tumbling program. Oregon University has never earned this award, and it was earned by a black female student attending a PWI.

Watching my four and five-year-olds tackle life with grace brings me true joy. My four-year-old is doing phenomenal with speech development. She continues to push me as a parent.“

CHECK OUT MOSS’ PHOTO ALBUM:

Photo shows a selfie of Principal Miracle Moss in her office at Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy. She is smiling at the camera as she sits in her office chair. Her hair is in loose curls and she is wearing a dark blue blouse.

Photo shows Principal Miracle Moss with her two kids in a school classroom. She is holding her youngest child, who is hiding her face from the camera. Her other child is next to her leg, side-hugging her and smiling at the camera. Moss is also smiling at the camera. In the background, you can see elementary school desks and other adults and children moving through the space.

Photo shows Principal Miracle Moss with her two daughters, one a college student and the other an elementary school student. They are standing outside an academic building at night, hugging close and posing for the camera.

Photo shows Principal Moss talking with three students outside the front entrance of Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy. They are all smiling and looking at each other like they are in a good conversation. You can see the Rowe-Clark sign in the background.

PRINCIPAL BRIAN RIDDICK | BUTLER COLLEGE PREP

Brian Riddick now serves as the principal at Butler College Prep but he has been there since the school was founded. As a founding staff member at Butler, Riddick launched both the ninth-grade English Language Learning & Reading Department and the College Team. He was also awarded Teacher of the Year twice (by students and staff).

Under Riddick’s leadership, Butler’s College Team achieved a 97%+ college acceptance rate for three consecutive years and set new Noble network standards for students who apply to, attend and persist at historically Black colleges and universities.

Riddick is an alum of North Carolina State University, where he studied English with a concentration in journalism. At NC State, Riddick joined and led several organizations, including the university’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

It was through organizations like the NAACP that Riddick found his knack for mentoring and ultimately decided to devote his life’s work to advocating for equity in education and to closing the opportunity gap for students of color.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “I gotta name two: ‘On My Mama’ by Victoria Monet for obvious reasons and ‘Intimidated’ by Kaytranada since I was able to hear it live recently!”

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

A: “My favorite thing about Chicago is #summertimechi: the beaches, the rooftops, the festivals and concerts, biking the lake, and everything else that the weather permits. It’s a vibe.”

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

A: “Travel, always. I’m either on a trip, planning a trip, or returning from a trip. I love seeing and exploring new places. I’m taking a group at Butler to Italy this year during spring break, and I’m super excited to introduce a handful of kids to international travel. We lit. ✨”

CHECK OUT RIDDICK’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Photo shows Principal Brian Riddick talking with two Butler College Prep students outside the school building. They are all smiling and looking at him, like they are having an engaging conversation.

Photo shows a selfie of Principal Brian Riddick on one of his travel trips. He is on a tour bus in front of a historical building.

Photo shows a selfie of Brian Riddick with a loved one. They are both smiling.

Photo shows Principal Brian Riddick sitting on a bench next to the sign about "Profound Gentlemen", a program for building community among male educators of color nationwide. He is smiling at the camera.

Photo shows Principal Brian Riddick in casual summer clothing with three friends. They are outside of a restaurant in Chicago on a sunny day.

Photo shows Principal Brian Riddick posing with a young Black man at a formal event. They are both looking at the camera and smiling.

PRINCIPAL NORA LAWRENCE | MANSUETO HIGH SCHOOL

Nora Lawrence is an Illinois native, a wife, a mom of two girls and a dog, and a passionate educator who believes that an exceptional education is a human right.

She is heading into her 12th year at Noble and her 14th year in education this year. She began her educational career as a Spanish teacher in Kansas City, MO through Teach for America and then moved back home to Chicago to join Noble. After serving for nine years at Gary Comer College Prep as a teacher, college counselor and eventual assistant principal, she moved to Mansueto High School.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “‘Choose your Fighter’ by Ava Max. It’s from the Barbie soundtrack, and my daughters are obsessed with it. As soon as it starts, everybody gets hyped up, so it’s kind of my pump-up song when I need it — inspired by my girls.”

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

A: “I love the cultural pride in Brighton Park — driving down 47th St. going into Mexican Independence Day weekend, you couldn’t help but see and feel the energy! Our staff, students, and family are so proud of their neighborhood, the heritages, and their traditions. It’s an honor to see them shine bright.”

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

A: “Aside from spending time with my husband and daughters (which is always great), I also got back into Yoga Sculpt. It’s been a while since I’ve had time to take care of myself, and working out and getting strong again feels good! Plus,the community is so inspiring and encouraging; it’s an awesome start or end to my day.”

CHECK OUT LAWRENCE’S PHOTO ALBUM:

Photo shows Principal Nora Lawrence with her toddler, reading a picture book together.

Photo shows Principal Nora Lawrence posing with Noble alumni that she taught who have all come back as staff members. They are all wearing Noble shirts, having just come out of the Noble Schools' Staff Kickoff event for the 2023-2024 school year.

Photo shows a selfie of Principal Nora Lawrence and her husband. Her head lays on his shoulder.

Photo shows a selfie of Principal Nora Lawrence and her family as they are outside on a walk. One of her daughters is on her back and the other one is in a carriage that her husband is pushing.

Photo shows a selfie of Principal Nora Lawrence with staff at Gary Comer College Prep. They are all smiling and looking at the camera.

KASHAWNDRA WILSON | HANSBERRY COLLEGE PREP

Kashawndra Wilson was born and raised in Chicago’s West Side. She started her educational career as a science teacher, teaching for 10 years total at St. Gregory High School and Chicago Bulls College Prep.

At Chicago Bulls, Wilson was a founding 10th grade science teacher, where she created and implemented excellent curriculum that resulted in science learning growth that outperformed the majority of all Noble 10th and 11th grade students. She also served as the 9th grade dean of instruction.

Wilson has also worked as a consultant for the KIPP Network of Schools and served on a Noble Schools’ assessment creation team. Both opportunities allowed Wilson to help instruct both educators and leaders on curricular design and assessment creation.

Wilson obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Spelman College, a prestigious historically Black college. After graduating from Spelman, Wilson obtained her Master of Science in Secondary Education from Northwestern University.

Q: What is your favorite song?

A: “Anything by Beyonce! Energy from the Renaissance album.”

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

A: “I love Chicago food!!! I am from the West Side of Chicago and there is something about the local restaurants.”

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

A: “My boys! I am incredibly proud of them. I have a sophomore at Stanford, and it has been such an honor watching him mature into a young man/ I have a sophomore at Walter Payton who struggled his first year but is figuring it out. They bring me so much joy.”