Meet Principal Thornton

Over the past eight years, Mrs. Thornton has been a dedicated and impactful leader at Academy of St. Benedict. She has worked closely with teachers and the extended Academy St. Benedict community to ensure students experience a high-quality, safe supportive learning environment. She has played a key role in executing the school’s vision and advancing its overall leadership efforts, while building meaningful relationships with students and families. Her leadership is grounded in a clear belief: that every student should be known, supported, and challenged to grow.

 

Mrs. Thornton brings a rich and diverse background in education. She joined Academy of St. Benedict in 2018 as a Kindergarten teacher, then looped with her students into 1st grade, continuing to teach at that level through 2023 before stepping into the Assistant Principal role. Prior to her time here, she taught for 10 years at Harold Washington Elementary School in Chicago Public Schools, working with students in grades 1–5, and also taught Kindergarten at Saint Philip Neri.

 

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, and she has earned National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. In addition to her educational background, Mrs. Thornton is also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America; a reflection of her creativity and well-rounded experiences.

 

Mrs. Thornton has called Chicago home since 2001, after growing up in New York City. She is married to a music teacher and is the proud mother of an 11-year-old son. During the interview process, Mrs. Thornton shared that Academy of St. Benedict the African has held a special place in her heart from the moment she first walked through its doors, and she continues to be inspired daily by the joy of the students, the commitment of families, and the strength of the school community.