Promoting diversity and inclusion is an ongoing priority at Noble. We strongly believe in ensuring our staff has an inclusive environment to collaborate in offering our students the diverse education they deserve. We realize that teachers are the number one predictor of student success, and because of that we focus on hiring the best individuals.
In this section we would like to feature some of the hard-working, dedicated educators who drive Noble’s mission.
Interview with Anthony Hendrix
Where did you grow up and what is your favorite memory from high school?
I grew up in a small town near southwest Missouri with my four siblings. Neosho provided me with the necessary academic, civic, and social skills necessary to persist after high school. One of my favorite memories from high school was taking part in a variety of extra curricular activities: baseball, basketball, marching band, student council, National Honors Society, and more! I loved being involved in clubs and community events throughout my hometown. When students are provided with the opportunity to expand their learning outside the classroom, they acquire experiences/skills that will better prepare them for life after high school.
Where did you go to college, what did you study, and why did you choose this 2 options?
I attended college at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. I studied Biology (marine science emphasis) with minors in Spanish/Chemistry. Since a young child, I have always possessed an unwavering passion for learning about the world's aquatic environments and environmental protection efforts. I decided to major in Biology so I could pursue careers that allow me to work with oceanic exploration and aquatic habitat protection. Additionally, Spanish and Chemistry naturally complimented my major and seamlessly prepared me to excel in the competitive job market after graduation.
One of my most memorable experiences as a Noble teacher has been instilling the love and excitement I possess for science, into my students. Hearing young people question the world around them is a beautiful thing to witness.
What influenced you to want to work in education?
If you would have told me three years ago I would be leading my own classroom of students on the west side of Chicago, I would have never believed it! The series of fortunate events that lead me to where I'm currently at started my freshman year of college. At the time, two of my family members served as educators and spoke highly of their experiences in the classroom. As college graduation drew closer, I decided teaching would be an incredible opportunity to give back. After applying to an alternative teaching program and undergoing a rigorous training process, I was asked to join the Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy for my first high school teaching experience.
What do you love about your role at Noble?
One of the best roles I occupy as a Noble teacher is serving as an advisor. Over the past three years, I experienced the incredible opportunity of watching 15 high school boys learn, grow, and find themselves throughout the perilous journey of high school. This role has given me the chance to get to know these students and their families on a truly unique level. The amount of love and respect I have for these students is truly unique and one of the best parts of my role as a Noble teacher.
What has been your most memorable moment as a Noble employee?
One of my most memorable experiences as a Noble teacher has been instilling the love and excitement I possess for science, into my students. Hearing young people question the world around them is a beautiful thing to witness. When students form educated guesses and create experimental set-ups, they ALWAYS discover something new through data collection. This constant feeling of being on the brink of discovery is what drives student curiosity- creating truly memorable moments of learning.
Noble makes a conscious effort to higher staff members whom possess a variety of life experiences: novice teachers, veteran teachers, engineers, civil activists, corporate. Ultimately, students benefit from the diverse leadership styles and innovative teaching practices of Noble staff members.
What does diversity mean to you and what benefits does a diverse staff bring to the classroom?
Embracing diversity is such a crucial part of what I do as a Noble teacher. I teach students from a spectrum of racial backgrounds: African American, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican. From day one, students are made aware of these differences and encouraged to use differences between peers and themselves in order to come up with new, innovative scientific ideas within the classroom. The diversity of the student population Noble serves is also echoed through the network staff members. Noble makes a conscious effort to higher staff members whom possess a variety of life experiences: novice teachers, veteran teachers, engineers, civil activists, corporate. Ultimately, students benefit from the diverse leadership styles and innovative teaching practices of Noble staff members.
As a teacher of color who works for a network that serves a population that is 98% students of color. What is the biggest advice you would want your students to take from you?
In today's world, it is more important now to be an educated person than ever before. There are already too many social obstacles for my students to overcome after high school- a quality education should go without saying. The most important piece of advice I can give my students of color is no matter how HARD the journey gets along the way, never allow ANYTHING to stand between you and YOUR education. People have lost their lives in the long journey our country has embarked on towards educational equity. Knowledge provides youth with opportunities to connect with other incredible leaders throughout the world, acquire unique experiences, and receive the academic/analytical thinking skills necessary to compete in today's global market.
Interview with Francisco Huerta
Where did you grow up and what is your favorite memory from high school?
I grew up on the Northwest side of town in the neighborhood of Belmont Cragin.
My advisor, Mr. Lessem, was and continues to be a father figure to me. He became engaged during my senior year at Rauner. In the time leading up to his wedding, I had the honor of helping him build a chuppah - a canopy like structure – which is used in Jewish wedding ceremonies. We met at Rauner on one of our off days to put together the chuppah for his own wedding. That to me is the definition of the advisor-advisee relationship. It is a bond goes beyond the hours of theregular school day, and the beyond the walls of the building. You arepart of a family. Knowing that he was married under a structure that we worked on together brings joy to my heart to this very day.
Where did you go to college, what did you study, and why did you choose this 2 options?
I am proud to call Wabash College my Alma Mater where I majored in Psychology and minored in Economics and Religion.
Wabash College spoke to me to very first time I visited campus. Wabash simply felt right. The more I learned about its history and traditions, the more I knew that Wabash was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. The amount of pride that the students and faculty held for the College was very apparent.
I chose to major in psychology because I had the idea of pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology or a Masters in Social Work. I live a life of service. I love listening to people. Helping people. Letting them know that there is somebody there. It is my calling and I have come to accept that. I might still pursue a career in that direction in the future, but for now I am more than happy to serve the youth of my city.
There is more to education than putting worksheets in front of students. If I can be half the educator that my teachers at Rauner were, then I will live and die a happy man.
What influenced you to want to work in education?
Rauner College Prep blessed me with amazing educators that were there for me beyond the classroom. My parents were rarely ever able to attend my school functions. Concerts, soccer games, assemblies –my parents always worked during those hours. Our teachers alwaystook the time out of their busy lives to attend those events to support their students. There is more to education than putting worksheets in front of students. If I can be half the educator that my teachers at Rauner were, then I will live and die a happy man.
What do you love about your role at Noble?
I am blessed with working with amazing kids on a daily basis. They are not perfect, but each and every single one of them has their own story. I love getting to know each and every one of them – hearing their stories, learning their passions, helping them work through their struggles. I am incredibly lucky.
What has been your most memorable moment as a Noble employee?
Books are such a beautiful treasure, and as an educator one of my main goals is to build a love for books and reading in my students. Because of this, there is nothing that I love more than seeing my kids feel and display emotions while reading. My heart jumps for joy every single time I hear a gasp of shock, an excited “yes,” or a sorrowful “nooooooo” coming from my students. My proudest moment came when we read the reveal for our novel Silence. Kids slammed their books down, one shut down and was on the verge of tears, while others clapped in joy. It was such a magical moment!
By putting together a diverse staff, we are directly ensuring that there are multiple opportunities for human, and not just academic, growth.
What does diversity mean to you and what benefits does a diverse staff bring to the classroom?
Diversity comes from avoiding the single story. There is no one archetype for the perfect student or teacher. Thus we have to make sure to always keep an open mind with the things that we do and the people that we come across. In doing so, we are investing in our own growth and actively fighting against becoming stagnant. By putting together a diverse staff, we are directly ensuring that there are multiple opportunities for human, and not just academic, growth.
As a teacher of color who works for a network that serves a population that is 98% students of color. What is the biggest advice you would want your students to take from you?
I want my students to always keep an open mind, try new things, and explore their identity. They need to always be questioning the factors that compose their identity. You are not defined by your race, community, or family. These are all factors that are a part of your life, but they do not define you. Always keep an open mind, always ask questions, and be comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is how we truly discover where we fit in this chaotic world.
Interview with Tambra Pendleton
Where did you grow up and what is your favorite memory from high school?
I grew up on the Westside of Chicago but later moved to Maywood, IL where I attended Proviso East high school, home of the Pirates! I have so many high school memories, but my most memorable moment was when I ran for homecoming queen. I didn’t win, by default, someone rigged the vote, but it was a great experience and something I still look back on fondly.
Where did you go to college, what did you study, and why did you choose this 2 options?
I attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where I majored in Early Childhood Education. I choose this major because I knew that my passion in life was to help our children. I made a conscious decision early on that the generations that came after me would be ten times greater than I ever was. I knew I could only do this by studying and practicing education.
I call it home because there is investment, diversity, growth and most of all family.
What influenced you to want to work in education?
I would say growing up on the Westside of Chicago and just going through high school lit a fire that never went out. Deep down inside, I knew that I wasn’t receiving the best education and that wasn’t fair. I would travel to play sports at other schools and I would see the difference in the environment, the programs, and the activities that were offered. As I continued to make friends and visit other schools in both my district and other districts, I decided that I was going to work in education and make some changes.
What do you love about your role at Noble?
Where do I start? I could write a book about my love for my role at Muchin. I am currently a 9th grade biology teacher and there is not a day that goes by that I am not reassured that I am walking in my purpose and changing lives one day at a time. It is not just because I walk into a high performing high school, but because I walk into a place that I call home. I call it home because there is investment, diversity, growth and most of all family. We love one another here and we want the best for each other. I love my role at Noble because I am supported, encouraged, motivated, pushed to be my best self for our students every day.
What has been your most memorable moment as a Noble employee?
My most memorable moment as a Noble employee had to be the first day that I met my advisees. I was so nervous, but I made it and it has been one of my greatest accomplishments while I’ve been here at Muchin.
Having a diverse staff in the classroom allows our scholars to see that there are people who look like them making a great impact in the classroom and in the world.
What does diversity mean to you and what benefits does a diverse staff bring to the classroom?
Diversity means differences are not just ok but should be embraced. Just like a bag of skittles, when you pour them into your hand you will not get all red, green or orange; it will be a mixture of all different colors. Having a diverse staff in the classroom allows our scholars to see that there are people who look like them making a great impact in the classroom and in the world.
Did you ever have a teacher of your same race that had a special impact on your education?
Yes, I had teachers who looked like me. It definitely had a great impact on my performance throughout high school. This made me know and feel like I would one day have the opportunity to make a difference in my family and in my community. And if so, how did this teacher do that? I felt proud looking at someone who resembled me. One teacher in particular not only had an amazing presence but also went above and beyond for her students. She absolutely inspired me..
As a teacher of color who works for a network that serves a population that is 98% students of color. What is the biggest advice you would want your students to take from you?
I tell my students all the time that in life you will learn, work, and grow with people who may not look like you, sound like you, grow in the same neighborhood as you and that’s ok. Regardless, you must never feel less than or more than. Instead, know that you are equal and that each you has some sort of greatness that you will be able to share with one another. Embrace being different.
Interview with Adriana Villegas
Where did you grow up? What is your favorite memory from high school?
I grew up in the West Town community of Chicago, and I still live there today with my children, Sofia (10) and Diego (9). I attended Wells Academy High School and was fortunate to be a student in Mr. Milkie’s math classes throughout all four years. My favorite memory was a daily one: we listened to Mexican music with him, specifically Banda and Rancheras, before the start of math class. And, at times, he secretly tried to dance to the rhythm beat.
Where did you go to college and what did you study? Why did you pursue that course of study?
I attended DePaul University and earned a BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in Latin American Studies. I attended DePaul because it was a local, affordable option for me and gave me the opportunity to live on campus. My dad’s father was a teacher in Mexico, my older sister is an elementary school math teacher, and my mentor is a former high school math teacher. All three of these individuals influenced my desire to pursue teaching. However, being selected as a Golden Apple Scholar solidified my commitment to teaching in a school of need to make a positive impact in the lives of my students.
The idea of helping others and making a positive impact in my community through education is the root of why I teach.
What influenced you to work in education?
The idea of helping others and making a positive impact in my community through education is the root of why I teach. However, not having any teachers that looked like me, not even my Spanish teacher in high school, and witnessing Mr. Milkie’s strong work ethic and daily investment in his own students also influenced my decision to work in education.
What do you enjoy about your role at Noble?
At Noble Street, I love that I am part of an amazing College Dream Team committed to helping all of our students navigate the rigorous and labor-‐intensive college process; maximize financial resources; and realistically imagine a life rich with options.
A diverse staff allows for more global growth within the walls of an educational setting.
What has been your most memorable moment as a Noble employee?
Walking through Alumni Hall and reading off the names of the college graduates from the Class of 2008 (the first class I counseled) brought tears of joy to my eyes and ignited me with even more fire and purpose for doing the work that I do every single day.
What does diversity mean to you? How does having a diverse staff benefit students?
Like many of my students, when I was in high school I initially understood diversity at a surface level, basing it directly on race, ethnicity and socio-‐economic background. However, my goal is to help my students understand diversity as layers beneath that: diversity is a celebration of differences, similarities and exchanges in culture; interest, beliefs and trajectory. A diverse staff brings experience, perspective and different understandings of the world to a classroom. A diverse staff allows for more global growth within the walls of an educational setting.
Celebrate what makes you unique, stay humble, and never forget where you come from.
Has a teacher of your same ethnic background ever had a strong impact on your education?
My Latin American Studies professor, Dr. Lourdes Torres, was my first Latina teacher that exposed me to the history and struggles of Latinos in the United States in a scholarly manner. This differed drastically from what I learned indirectly through the media and personal narratives. Dr. Torres exposed me to the sad reality of census data in relationship to education and poverty levels of minority groups within the US, but she taught me that I have a responsibility to change the data.
As a teacher of color who serves a population comprised of 98%students of color, what advice do you want to impart on your students?
The art of code-‐switching is an essential skill in order to navigate the world. Understand that your personal trajectory is unique and it matters. Celebrate what makes you unique, stay humble, and never forget where you come from. Be proud and know your roots -‐ while also allowing yourself to learn from others.
