Claire Jakubiszyn (she/her)
Claire has worked as a high school art teacher, opened two recreational art schools as the Director of Education, run summer camp and job training/youth leadership programs, and taught art classes to every age from pre-K to adult. Youth empowerment and personalized learning are central to Claire’s philosophy as an educator.
Claire has a B.A. in Visual Arts and Environmental Studies from Marlboro College, a self-directed liberal arts college, where she developed her own curriculum to study natural building and discovered the existence of non-coercive education. She has also studied education at American College of Education. Her public artwork can be seen throughout Chicago.
In addition to teaching and making art, Claire likes to ride her bike, putter in her garden, read about child development, and wrangle two small, inquisitive humans.
Jenn Krause (she/they)
Jenn, also known as Genevieve or Miss Jenn, is a seasoned guide on the fantastical journey of childhood. With decades of experience in classrooms to counseling and group therapy realms, Jenn specializes in supporting the mental health needs of young adventurers, especially those with ADHD, and/or autism. Her approach weaves together the magic of meaningful connections and relationships, and the power of self-discovery, empowering each child to embark on their own hero's quest.
At Blazing Star, Jenn sprinkles a dash of magic into every encounter, empowering children to uncover their hidden talents and embark on quests of self-discovery, or an imaginary adventure that can happen anywhere. When not guiding young adventurers, Jenn is a mom and an artist, gardener, aspiring polyglot, and game master, crafting tales of imagination through tabletop role-playing games. As a devoted mother and seeker of magic, Jenn finds joy in exploring the wonders of science, art, and nature, forever enchanted by the mysteries of the world, especially with child companions who can make the experience even more fun.
Seana Huizenga [HI-sing-guh] (she/her)
Seana has devoted her life to working with children. She has a fascination with play, and eye for things that might be fun to play with. Seana loves to sing and to learn new things, and can’t help sharing connections and joy with the children around her. She is thrilled to support the Blazing Star vision.
Seana is a substitute teacher at several local daycares and alternative schools, She has three decades of childcare, teaching, and parenting experience, a bachelor’s degree from Earlham College, she is good in a crisis and is CPR certified and current on all the Early Childhood DCFS trainings. All children in her care are likely to remain uncooked and totally alive.
Aubrey Wolfe (she/her, they/them)
Aubrey is Blazing Star’s resident rockhound, and loves teaching children and adults alike about different rocks, minerals, and fossils.
She comes from Michigan, originally, and has a lengthy background in caregiving, including over a decade as a manager for an AFC home, and as a chef in a nursing/rehab facility.
Aubrey loves seeing children’s creativity come alive, and has thoroughy enjoyed her time working Summer/Day Off camps, and seeing the relationships that the kids build together.