Meet Our Team

Michelle Michonski

Center Director

Director

Michelle oversees the educational integrity and business aspects of the center. She brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan of Skokie having begun with Sylvan as an instructor in Green Bay, WI, and Northbrook, IL. She is even a Sylvan graduate; having completed the study skills program in high school! A graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, she stayed in her college town to teach 6th grade before returning to her roots of Lincolnwood. When Michelle isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her in the kitchen cooking or baking or at the gym working off consumed calories!

Renee Tzakis

Educational Assistant

Renée graduated cum laude from Miami University with a B.S. in Middle Childhood Education in 2002. She has endorsements in reading, language arts, and social studies. After teaching primary and middle school-aged children for three years, she realized her true passion was teaching younger students. Renee decided to go back to school for her Master’s degree, she graduated with high honors from DePaul University in Chicago, IL in 2009 with a Masters in Early Childhood Education. Renee is a PK Special Education teacher in Chicago and she brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan. When not at Sylvan, she enjoys gardening, reading, family BBQs, and movie club with her friends.

Kelly Collins

Lead Teacher

Kelly Collins is a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in Chicago, IL with a gift for working with primary grades. While Kelly has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring reading. Kelly studied at the University of St. Francis. When Kelly isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, having dinner with her friends or family, or watching HGTV.

Michele Saporito

Teacher

Michele is a math teacher at Taft High School in Chicago.  While Michele has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago for her undergrad and master’s at DePaul University. When Michele isn’t at Sylvan, you will find her helping her students succeed in school, spending time with her family, and taking pure barre classes.

Maye Ayyad

Teacher

Maye is a recent graduate from Northeastern University.  Sylvan is a great opportunity to apply the skills she’s learning in school directly to the students she tutors.  She enoys teaching elementary and high school English, writing, and math.  In her free time, you can find her reading, watching 2000s rom coms, or spending time with her family.

Natalie Torres

Teacher

Natalie has been teaching middle and high school for 7 years.  She especially enjoys teaching reading and writing.  She loves teaching because she loves watching students grow and learn.  Outside of Sylvan, she enjoys reading and walking her dogs.

Daryl Stewart

Teacher

Daryl has been teaching technology for 17 years.  He especially enjoys project development and coding.  He loves teaching because he feels he can help students love technology.  When he’s not in the classroom he loves to play games and watch movies. 

Sarah Scifo

Teacher

Sarah is a Pre-K teacher at McPherson School in Chicago with 23 years of primary teaching experience.  She has a BA in Early Childhood and an ESL endorsement.  In 2022 she will begin her master’s in Instructional Design and Technology.  Sarah enjoys working with young children because they are so eager to learn.  She enjoys seeing their faces light up when they master a new skill.   Her favorite subject to teach at Sylvan is reading.  When not teaching, you can find her playing mini-golf or having movie nights with her family.  She likes Stephen King novels and swimming.

Kelly Kukla

Teacher

Kelly is a special education in Chicago, IL with a gift for working with kids. While Kelly has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in early literacy/reading tutoring. She studied at St. Louis University. When Kelly isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her exercising, spending time with family and friends, and watching movies.

Mickey Nolan

Teacher

Mickey is a tutor with a talent for working with kids at the elementary level. While Mickey has vast experience, she finds her greatest joy in teaching math and beginning readers. She studied education at the College of St. Benedict and received her master’s in curriculum and instruction at National Louis University. When Mickey isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, watching the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball, and boating on Lake Tomahawk in Wisconsin.