Montini Catholic teacher and Math Department Chair, Chrissy McManus '88, of Lombard is celebrating thirty years teaching at the Lasallian college preparatory high school. It was in 1993 when Chrissy began teaching at Montini (while completing her MA at DePaul University). Prior to beginning her successful career at Montini, Chrissy earned her BS from Northern Illinois University and was the recipient of the Margariette Montague Wheeler Teaching Award. She also earned a fellowship teaching underprivileged students at Northern Illinois University while completing the first year of her Masters Degree.
(In 1999 Chrissy cut back to part time teaching in order to raise her three children; Rebecca ‘17, Johnny’20, and Tommy ‘22. She returned to full time in 2009 and assumed department chair duties in 2012.)
Throughout her 30 years, Chrissy has happily worn several hats as a Bronco faculty member - chaperoning Junior Retreats, being a Class Moderator and coaching Montini's award winning Bronco Math Team. Bronco students can’t sing her praises enough - when asked “what teacher has inspired you’ - time and time again, the answer is - Mrs. McManus!
“All of my achievements and the awards I have been given can be attributed to the hard work and success of my students,” she says. “I feel pride walking the math wing halls lined with the plaques and trophies from the State ranked math team. The college credit earned while at Montini as well as the success earned at prestigious Universities and beyond by my students is humbling. It is such an achievement to be part of their stories.”
Over her 30 years at Montini, Chrissy has taught everything from Algebra I part I to Calculus and even a few Spanish classes! She carved out her niche, however, with AP Calculus classes and Math Team. Her 2021/22 team most recently secured a 6th place state finish (May 2022). Under her leadership, Montini is one of only two teams, and the only Catholic team, in Division 2A to qualify for the State Meet for the past twenty-one consecutive years- and finish within the top 11 during these years.
“Mrs. McManus’ enthusiasm and passion for math, accompanied by her thorough explanations on tricky concepts, allowed me to view the subject from a different lens,” said 2022 valedictorian, Audrey Kekstadt (Villa Park), one of many alumni who sing her praises. “I began to appreciate math to the extent that I now aspire to be an engineer and use its concepts in everyday life!”
Among her favorite memories as a teacher at Montini are State Math Meets, chaperoning the senior class trip to Europe, going to Chi Chi’s on Fridays with fellow teachers, Santa Bob Huntoon and watching (Paul) Kaefer ‘09 and (Pat) Slattery ‘09 compete in the State finals 2-person event in front of hundreds of people. She will also always cherish the feeling of hearing students applaud and cheer when she was named LaSallian Educator of the Year (in 1999). “I loved watching my own children take the court/ field as Broncos, especially when both boys were on the field together, and watching my son, Johnny ’20, be the only student in MCHS history to start on 2 regional championship soccer teams!”
Chrissy is also the recipient of the Brother George Wagner Master Teacher award, Teacher of the Month sponsored by STAR 96.7 and St. Francis University, and won 1st Place in the DuPage Credit Union Teacher Appreciation Contest. She was awarded Montini’s Faculty Dedication Award in 2021.
"While I'm not capable of the math to determine just how many minds and hearts Mrs. McManus has touched in her 30 years, I'm certain it's a large number, squared," said Principal Kevin Beirne. "The truth is, Mrs. McManus is an incredibly gifted, creative, rigorous, and well respected math teacher. Her mathletes are consistently some of the most successful in the state, her students meet and exceed very high expectations, and countless have gone on to leverage skills gained in her courses for success in college and beyond. What's most amazing though, is her ability to make learning and applying math fun and exciting for her students. It's awesome to watch!" Chrissy attended Sacred Heart grade school in Lombard and is a proud member of Montini Catholic's Class of 1988. As a Montini Catholic student, she was active in the Fall Play, Spring Musicals, Peer Ministry, Math in the Fast Lane and was a Eucharistic Minister.
Congratulations, Chrissy! Montini Catholic is blessed to have you!
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