Matthew Banach
Principal

 
Mr. Banach grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and attended Marian Catholic High School.  He went on to the University of Notre Dame where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Government.  He found his calling to education while teaching English as a Second Language in Krakow, Poland for a summer during his time at Notre Dame.  His passion for serving others, which began to really grow in Notre Dame's Circle K Kiwanis club, came to fruition as he spent 2 years of full time volunteer service in Amate House, a young adult volunteer organization in the Archdiocese of Chicago.  He came to St. Agnes after spending a year at North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School and became the junior high math teacher at St. Agnes.  In the five years he taught, he received his Master's degree in Teaching and Learning from DePaul University and went on to earn his administrative certificate while serving as Assistant Principal, leading special educational programming for the school, being a teacher responder to the Archdiocesan Health Curriculum and advising the school's math club, chess club, and talent show.  He became principal in July 2007.  He is active in Our Lady of the Ridge parish and serves as Eucharistic Minister.  His goal is to create a learning community in which all members strive to better themselves in the Catholic tradition to educate themselves and lead in service of others.