Jesus Tirado
Mr. Tirado grew up in the West Town neighborhood and graduated from Wells High School. He went on to receive his BS in Education from Northern Illinois University and taught in Chicago for 5 years before joining RCP. This year, Mr. Tirado completed a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Roosevelt University and joined the RCP staff as Dean of Discipline. He chose to work at Rauner because he believes deeply in the mission of the Noble Network. As a product of the neighborhood, he is excited to be a role model for first-generation high school and college graduates.
Dan Selan
Before joining Noble as a math teacher at Pritzker College Prep, Mr. Selan studied mathematics at McGill University in Montreal. In 2005, he went abroad to study educational policy and urban planning through an exchange program in London. In 2007, he obtained a Masters in Teaching with a concentration in secondary school mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Mr. Selan has experience in curriculum design and development through his work at Kaplan, Inc. and Duke University. At Pritzker College Prep, Mr. Selan teaches Pre-Calculus, Advanced Algebra and AP Statistics and has worked to create an after school Math Team in which participating students compete against students from other Chicago Public Schools in a high intense atmosphere.
Marlon Tobin
Prior to working at Noble, Mr. Tobin was employed in the social work field for ten years. He spent seven of those ten years at Maryville Academy, where he served as Program Manager/Athletic Director of a program that was responsible for the 24-hour care and supervision of abused and neglected wards of the State of Illinois. Mr. Tobin completed major course work in Psychology at North Park University and used that education to help counsel troubled youth. In 2003, Mr. Tobin became Dean of Discipline and Athletic Director at Noble Street College Prep. He also coached sports teams at Noble. When Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy opened its doors for the first time in 2007, Mr. Tobin joined the founding team as Vice Principal and Athletic Director. Mr. Tobin’s determination and work ethic epitomize the Noble Way, and as a veteran staff member, he sets a positive example for all.
Kate Ulett
A veteran educator, Ms. Ulett has been designing and implementing music curriculum sequences since 1982. She previously founded, directed and coordinated the Invitational Choir Festivals at Lincoln American International School and facilitated workshops for national and international conventions, and she has produced written works in several publications. Ms. Ulett has prepared and conducted soloists, choruses, and pit orchestras for ten main-stage productions throughout the world. Most recently in her musical adventures, Ms. Ulett joined Noble as a founding team member of UIC College Prep where she teaches music and theater and focuses on expanding students’ horizons by weaving lots of diverse cultures into her curriculum including African drums and percussion. Ms. Ulett sees UICCP as a perfect fit for her passion for mentoring young minds through music.
Allison Lowenstein
Ms. Lowenstein teaches health and physical education at Golder College Prep. Before joining GCP, she taught both high school and middle school physical education and health in Chicago, Evanston, Indiana and New Jersey. She was also head of marketing and promotion for Chicago Sport and Social Club, a position that further expanded her knowledge of health and fitness. Ms. Lowenstein is currently pursuing rigorous National Board Certification, which when completed will allow her to teach anywhere in the country. She is also in the process of obtaining a Masters in curriculum planning and implementation. Ms. Lowenstein enthusiastically engages in creative lesson plans such as a roller skating unit and a philanthropy walk. She works to create ways for the entire community to learn about health and fitness through events such as a large-scale health fair she is producing this year. Ms. Lowenstein also generates energy and motivation to faculty members through her staff wellness program.
Gavin Lamb
Mr. Lamb studied education at the University of Notre Dame and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Dominican University. Shortly after graduating from Notre Dame, he co-founded a nonprofit organization that provides after school tutoring to at-risk South Bend students. Mr. Lamb is also a Teach for America alumna. While teaching as a TFA corps member, he focused on providing purpose and motivation within the classroom by differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students through guided reading, math groups and tutoring. Mr. Lamb spent time as an elementary teacher at another charter school for two years before joining Noble as a founding team member at Gary Comer College Prep. In addition to his work preparing Noble students for success in college, Mr. Lamb has focused a lot of energy and time on the start up of Gary Comer College Prep’s football team.
David Biele
Mr. Biele attended Northwestern University where he studied American Culture. Prior to joining Noble, he spent time working with an AmeriCorps program and in the External Affairs department at Northwestern University Settlement, one of Noble’s community partners. Before that he taught in the Washington, DC public schools and was a teaching artist with a Chicago gallery. During his first 8 years at Noble Street, Mr. Biele taught U.S. History to sophomores and seniors. He is now teaching an elective class that he created, entitled “Community Building Experience,” that focuses on leadership development, community service and the production of Noble Street College Prep’s monthly town hall assemblies. In addition to teaching, Mr. Biele serves as Noble Street’s Community Service Director and the boys’ cross country coach.