Her friends call her “Tink,” short for “Tinker Bell” and when you meet her, you’ll immediately understand why. This petite, bubbly, upbeat woman is the embodiment of her namesake, spreading pixie dust wherever she goes. But her favorite fictional character is not Tinker Bell at all; it’s Alice, from the iconic children’s book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Jacquie says, “I think Alice was one of the first female figures in children’s literature who stands up for herself. Alice’s adventures down the rabbit hole introduce her to a variety of characters and creatures who put her down. When Alice finally meets the Queen of Hearts who shouts, ‘Off with her head,’ Alice feels empowered enough to quip, ‘You’re all just a pack of cards,’ as she flings her hands and tosses the cards about.” These are the types of wonderfully woven folk and fairy tales that Jacquie Skurla was drawn to as a child. And it’s that love of reading children’s literature that drew her to education.
So passionate about reading and children, Jacquie sought her B.A. in Elementary Education at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and then her Master’s in Library Science at Rutgers University. “Children’s literature is so pure. At the same time, it’s complex and interesting, in that it challenges children to learn life lessons,” says Jacquie. “I loved to prove kids wrong when they assume there is nothing interesting to read,” she says. She worked in elementary education for 24 years, in a variety of states: North Carolina, Delaware, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas (moving each time with her husband Joe’s job transfers). Jacquie was an innovative and creative teacher — one time asking her class to build an eight-foot square Egyptian pyramid! She was also a nominee for a Golden Apple, an award given for teaching excellence.
When her husband got transferred to Hoffman Estates with DuPont, he searched with a realtor in the Barrington area, but was never taken to Tower Lakes. Nothing seemed right, he recalled. Driving on his own one day, he discovered Tower Lakes, called Jacquie and exclaimed, “I’ve found Brigadoon!” The Skurlas first moved to Tower Lakes in 1986 and stayed for 7 years. Daughters Casey and Kristin graduated from Barrington High School, with younger sister Mary Kate attending North Barrington Elementary, before the Skurlas were transferred to Delaware. (Mary Kate is back in the neighborhood with her husband and children. Kristin’s family lives in Iowa, and Casey’s family in Wisconsin.)
In 2008, Joe was named CEO of DDCE, a multi-national company, and was given the option to house its North American headquarters anywhere. He and Jacquie immediately chose the Chicago area so they could move back to Tower Lakes. And thus, the Skurlas moved here for a 2nd time.
During this next chapter in her life, Jacquie combined her love of children’s characters and wandering spirit to launch a new career. As a certified Disney travel planner, she has supreme knowledge of Disney resorts, properties, cruise lines and the brand. Her company, A Touch of Pixie Dust Travel, allows her to create wonderful adventures, similar to those of her favorite storybook characters. She enjoys planning multi-generational vacations and cruises with Disney or adults only, wine cruises on the Rhone, Douro or Dordogne Rivers with Viking River Cruises, where she is a master specialist. Either way, Jacquie plans the perfect experience.
She took her 18th cruise in January with her three daughters and will travel to Iceland with Joe in February to see the Northern Lights. With each trip, she spreads her knowledge of folklore, fable and her infamous pixie dust with the impetuous spirit of Tinker Bell and the confidence of Alice.