Tressie McDonough

Tressie McDonough has served Chicago schools and families since 2003 in a variety of roles, including coach, teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Chief Schools Officer. Tressie started her career in education as a Teach For America 2003 corps member in Chicago, after graduating from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. As a TFA corps member, she taught for three years at Benito Juarez Community Academy. Inspired by the commitment to outcomes at the Noble Network of Charter Schools, she joined Noble as a founding math teacher at Pritzker College Prep. Motivated to have a larger impact on the Noble mission, she earned a master’s degree in organization & leadership from Columbia University and helped open UIC College Prep as an assistant principal. Later, she served UIC College Prep students and families as the principal for 7 years. During that time, students reached exceptional levels of achievement and continue to persist in college at unprecedented rates. Now, as Chief Schools Officer, Tressie is charged with ensuring a portfolio of six Noble campuses is operating in service to Noble’s vision: Noble will ensure that all students have equitable and positive school experiences that equip them to succeed on the path of their choice, leading to 75% of alumni completing college. Tressie finds great fulfillment in working with such amazing students, families and colleagues.