Announcing Winners of the Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana Alumni of the Year Awards
Teach For America Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana today announced Cherish P. Jackson and JuDonne Hemingway as the 2023 winners of the prestigious Teach For America Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana Alumni of the Year Awards. These awards recognize outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact in the field of education and have shown exceptional dedication to their students and communities.
“I am thrilled to honor Cherish and Hemingway with our Alumni of the Year awards. They are exemplary leaders who have made an immense impact on students and school communities alike,” said Anajah Roberts, executive director of Teach For America Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana. “Cherish and Hemingway are dedicated to ensuring that each student is fully seen and appreciated for who they are every day. In a world where our kids are experiencing many messages that they are not enough, Hemingway and Cherish are positioning students to see and use their power to achieve their dreams. They are inspiring role models for students, educators and leaders across the Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana region and we are so lucky to have them serving students in our community.”
Cherish Jackson, winner of the Frances and Elliot Lehman Alumni of the Year award for outstanding teaching.
Jackson received the Frances and Elliot Lehman Alumni of the Year Award, which honors outstanding culturally responsive teaching. Jackson is a remarkable Special Education teacher at Tyler Elementary and an alumna of Teach For America Ohio, class of 2019. Throughout her teaching career, Jackson has exemplified the values of Teach For America by employing a holistic approach to support her students' growth. She has gone above and beyond by helping students create and manage small businesses and piloted a journal creation club called Orange Tithes, which has empowered students to express their thoughts and feelings through writing.
JuDonne Hemingway, winner of the Zell Family Alumni of the Year award for exceptional leadership.
Hemingway was honored with the Zell Family Alumni of the Year Award, which recognizes exceptional school leadership. Hemingway, a 2011 Teach For America Indianapolis alumna, is principal of Gary Comer Middle School and a visionary leader whose commitment to anti-racist practices has fostered a school environment that prioritizes joy, rigor and relevancy. Under Hemingway's guidance, students are empowered to become knowledgeable, confident and responsible leaders on their path to achieving their highest aspirations. Before assuming her role as a school principal, Hemingway served as senior managing director of leadership development at Teach For America Indianapolis, where she made a significant impact by building the capacity of beginning educators and alumni systems leaders. In addition, Hemingway is the president and founder of the Foundation for Racial Equity in Education (F.R.E.E), a fellowship that supports leaders of color in education.
For more information about Teach For America and its commitment to educational equity, please visit www.teachforamerica.org.