Dr. Frank LaBanca is an award-winning educator, researcher, and school leader.  He is the Principal of ACES Chase Academy Interdistrict Magnet School for Area Cooperative Educational Services, the regional educational service center serving south-central Connecticut.  He is currently responsible for shepherding the school through a transformation from a 6-8 middle school to a 6-12 secondary school.  He was the Founding Principal of Danbury, Connecticut’s Westside Middle School Academy Magnet.  Previously, he was the Director of the Center for 21st Century Skills at EDUCATION CONNECTION (now EdAdvance), where he directed and managed the implementation of STEM programs in 50 middle and high schools. 

During his classroom career, Dr. LaBanca taught Biology and Applied Science Research at Stamford, Newtown, and Oxford High Schools, and he has instructed college courses in Biology, Science Education Methods, Quantitative Analysis, and Educational Leadership. Having taught nearly 2,000 students, he is most proud of mentoring young scientists to conduct authentic applied research. Under his guidance, students earned national recognition in prestigious competitions, including the Siemens Westinghouse Competition, the Science Talent Search, the International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Genius Olympiad. He also serves as Fair Director for the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair.

Dr. LaBanca’s leadership and innovation have been recognized through numerous honors, including the GTE GIFT Fellowship, Connecticut Academy for Education Fellow, RadioShack National Teacher Award, Voya Unsung Heroes Award, Google Certified Innovator designation, and the Connecticut Association of Schools Outstanding Principal Award. He was also a Students at the Center Distinguished Fellow for Jobs for the Future and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and a Society for Science Advocate.