SXU Alumna Named Principal of Mount Greenwood Elementary School
Saint Xavier University (SXU) alumna Mattea Walsh '13 has been named principal of Mount Greenwood Elementary School, where she aims to provide students with a rigorous, equitable and joyful educational experience.
In her new role, Walsh, who grew up in the surrounding area, hopes to give back to the same community that gave so much to her.
"Mount Greenwood has such a community feel. I have such a wide-angle view of the school as principal and get to make sure that everyone --teachers and students-- has the resources they need to come to a joyful place each day," said Walsh.
Walsh has an impressive history as an educator, having taught kindergarten for two years at a charter school in Washington Heights before joining Homewood School District, where she taught first grade for three years. She moved to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to teach first grade at Skinner North Classical School before serving as assistant principal for three years. In the fall of 2025, she served as one of two assistant principals at Mount Greenwood Elementary School before signing as principal in 2026.
Walsh thinks of her school as a beautiful guitar that the teachers and administrators must fine-tune to keep the music pleasant.
"I feel grateful to have been given this really high-performing school. I want to make sure students have a joyful and academically rigorous building to come to so they can experience school in a positive way and we can keep building the legacy of Mount Greenwood, which is such a pillar in the school community," said Walsh.
Walsh, who majored in elementary education at SXU, was impressed by SXU's high-quality education programs and appreciated how close to home the campus was, allowing her to spend more time with family. She has been drawn to teaching since she was in second grade.
"I had really great elementary school teachers of my own at Sutherland in Beverly. I admired and looked up to my second-grade teacher, Ms. Stankus, who really showed me how teachers can provide a positive influence to and build relationships with kids," said Walsh.
As an alumna of both SXU and Mother McAuley High School, Walsh cherishes the mission of the Sisters of the Mercy.
"It's my goal to come to school as a compassionate servant leader every day. Every decision we make is in light of what's best for the students. I appreciate being able to build relationships with teachers so they know they have an administrator they can trust, and I want teachers to build relationships with each other and their students that are based on kindness, compassion and positive intentions," said Walsh.
Walsh is appreciative of her time at SXU and the friendships she built. One of her classmates works with her at Mount Greenwood, and while at SXU, she garnered a valuable network of educators that she still keeps in touch with.
"SXU prepared me for going into things with an open mind. For my field experience, I was placed in a school I never heard of, but I knew I was going to be learning from an expert and became enthusiastic about learning new things with new people. To this day, I still use the skills I gained at SXU, such as writing lesson plans, planning professional development, thinking about outcomes, and building relationships. SXU helped me understand who I was as a person and grow as an educator," said Walsh.
As a young principal, Walsh feels grateful to have amazing mentors.
"CPS is a giant organization with the most talented people in the city working for them. My biggest strength is knowing that my team makes me who I am and I would not be able to do this without them. I have hardworking teachers and a wonderful assistant principal, and my goals are being collaborative and solution-focused, making sure everyone's voice is heard, and adding more seats to the table," said Walsh.
As Walsh looks to the future, she is setting her priorities on doing the best job she can at Mount Greenwood.
"I have my dream job. I feel like the luckiest girl on the South Side to be given this opportunity. I hope to retire here, and I look forward to mentoring more teachers and paying it forward."