Faculty
Our world class faculty is committed to helping Roycemore students succeed in and outside the classroom.
- Michael Youakim
- Christina Helm, LCPC
- Janet Muñoz
- Daniel Speth
- Jamie Scallon
- Dr. Lara N. Dotson-Renta
- Wendy Minor
- Alex Philoon
- Ellen Deinzer
- Faith Bejar
- Jorge Sánchez
- Hannah Ruane
- Jay Blakely
- Jennifer Zielinski
- James Torres
- Annette Bellezzo
- Mohan Fitzgerald
- Rebecca Bostrom
- Eliese Ronke
- Dawn Farr
- Anne Cahuzac
- Nathan Riggs
- Matt Duncan
- Hannah Al-Najjar
- Ashley Quire
- Eva Lambert
- Nina Rozes
- Matt Steadman
- Ciat Conlin
- Janna Arbuzova
- Amanda Reinglass
- Marie Cinquemani Thomas
- Ruth Hecht
- Ziggy Zapart
- Shauna Young
- Chris English
- Marge Woodfill
- Ashley Smith
- Sara Keely McGuire
- Andrew Mahlan
- Gina Lorenz
- Dr. Brynn Leavitt
- Shannon Henry
- Hilda Gonzalez
- Erin Kelly Gaines
- Adrienne Floro
- Tyler Fawbush
- Dr. Dan Dudek
- Karen Radke Byrnes
- Courtney Barlow
- Justin Bailey
- Darcy Aksamitowski
- Morgan Busbey
Marge has had a career as a business professional in the experimental aircraft field with years of customer service, management, and marketing experience. She has also taught ESL to children and adults while living in Mexico.
Michael, a proud Chicago native from the Lincoln Square neighborhood, brings a wealth of experience in finance and operations to Roycemore School. He and his wife, Detana, now call the northwest suburbs of Chicago home.
Before joining Roycemore, Michael honed his expertise at Northwestern University, where he played a key role in accounting, financial operations, student affairs, and facilities management. His transition into independent school finance reflects his deep commitment to mission-driven institutions and the transformative impact of education.
Michael holds an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University. A strong advocate for financial literacy, he believes that empowering individuals with financial knowledge is a critical tool for long-term success and community enrichment.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys traveling, reading, prioritizing health and fitness, and spending quality time with his family.
Education
MBA from Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
BS in Finance from DePaul University
Favorite Quote
“Behind every success is effort, behind every effort is passion, behind every passion is someone with the courage to try.”
Favorite Book
Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill or Atomic Habits by James Clear
Why Roycemore?
Roycemore School reflects the core values that are most important to me: academic excellence, a strong sense of community, and the transformative impact of personalized education.
Born and raised in Evanston, IL, Shauna attended and graduated from Evanston Township High school and Jackson State University. While there, she met her husband of 24 years and moved to North Carolina with her four girls. She continued working in the medical field, managing a doctor’s office in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She has over 15 years of working in the medical billing field starting at Evanston NorthShore.
Education
B.S., Jackson State University
Favorite Quote
"Smile because you never know how it might make someone’s day" – Wilma Terry
Why Roycemore?
The atmosphere and people make you feel at home, the smiles on the faces of these kids every day make everything worthwhile.
Ziggy Zapart
Building Maintenance
Jennifer Zielinski has a passion for all things community. As a mission-driven, equity-centered, growth-oriented leader with more than a decade of experience, Jennifer strives to create impactful experiences and build enduring relationships by bringing people together in service of something larger than themselves.
Curiosity is the driving force behind her varied initiatives, ranging from DEIJB awareness training to building a food truck business, becoming a Charter School Developer and an Assistant Head of School. She is a lifelong learner guided by and grounded in curiosity, empathy, and humility, striving to bring out the best in others and herself.
Jennifer and her husband, Paul, live in Rogers Park where they have raised three (successfully adulting) sons. Not only does Jenn enjoy reading, traveling, and hanging out with her three dogs, she also enjoys talking about reading, traveling, and her three dogs. Currently, she is most passionate about oysters and oat milk cortados.
Education
B.A.S., University of Illinois - Chicago. M.B.A Candidate, University of Illinois - Springfield
Favorite Quote
"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Why Roycemore?
It is so apparent that there is love for the children at Roycemore.