“If they take a step, you take a hundred and go get ‘em.”

Mr. Jonas Cleaves

High School Principal, Former Dean of Culture, Former Teacher

“There’s the benefit of being able to have that connection, to have these conversions,… [but] we also have to be mindful and willing to listen.”

Jonas Cleaves was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He attended Curie High School through a lottery. The diverse environment was a great, new experience where he made great connections. His mother was big on education, wanting him to get a great job and do better for himself, promoting upward mobility. After graduation, he joined the military and pursued a degree in Marketing.

“Every good thing isn’t a God thing.“

 Jonas worked in a re-entry program, helping those recently released from prison. A common thread among them was dropping out of school, which appalled him. This righteous indignation fueled him to make a difference in education. Jonas obtained a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Pulling from all his previous experiences, he’s countering the Black male narrative for his students, listening to them and advocating for their success. He’s in the trenches with them through the long, bumpy road.