Meet Dr. Roni-Nicole Facen | Principal & CEO of St. Francis de Sales High School

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Roni-Nicole Facen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Roni-Nicole, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had worked in education in the west suburbs of Chicago for almost 10 years and had learned so much about schools, families, which really defined the kind of leader I wanted to be. But, in that time, I always dreamed of an opportunity that would allow me to build the kind of school community that did education differently. That saw students and made an effort to make them partners in the work. To find a space that I could lead in a way that felt most natural and that I didn’t have to wear a Hillary pants suit to be taken seriously as a school leader. When I received the opportunity to return to my community and serve a school that had done so much for me, it was truly a no brainer. I am the first leader of color at St. Francis de Sales in 136 years and the second woman. We are redefining what education can look like every day and instilling in our students the belief that the only limits that exist are the ones that they create for themselves.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a proud alumni and principal/CEO of St. Francis de Sales High School. I’d like to think I am a different kind of principal; from the nose ring to the swag, I just move differently. Growing up, I never saw a principal that looked like me, and truthfully, I didn’t even think I could be a principal. The journey here was far from easy and definitely not a straight line. I grew up in South Chicago on 83rd and Manistee. We have a beautiful multicultural home, with my mother being Mexican and Puerto Rican and my father being black, and we were taught to be proud of all that we are. My parents relationship was complicated, and my dad has suffered from substance abuse most of my life. I know they both did the best they could to give us more than they had, but despite their efforts, things were never easy. I saw my mother cry, her head in her hands, as she figured out how to make it happen. Seeing this, I knew I wanted more. I wanted to have a career that I could be proud of and leave the world just a bit better than how I entered it. It took lots of hard work, a ton of setbacks, and consistent drive. I knew I wanted to be an advocate for kids and families like my own, and after one BA, one MA, and one doctorate, I’m here as a testament that dreams do come true and that hard work does pay off. I’ve learned so much throughout this journey called life. I’ve learned that God doesn’t make mistakes. I’ve learned that failure is inevitable, but growth is optional. I’ve learned to love the skin I’m in and be proud of my story, even the scars. I’ve learned to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. I’ve learned to create boundaries and to know when a situation no longer serves me. I’ve learned to say “no” as a means to practice self-love. I’ve learned that the world is an inherently beautiful place.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chicago is an exceptionally beautiful place. It’s crazy because some of my favorite places in the city don’t come up on any travel site or blog but are my little piece of heaven. I’d definitely take them to Steel Workers Park it’s feels like a secret island in the middle of the city and is chalk full of history. We’d grab lunch at La Althena for a torta with carnitas and a bottled coke out the refrigerator. We’d mosey to the Calumet Park historical society and learn about the grit it took to build our part of the world and the hands that made it possible. We’d grab a basket of fried shrimp from Heines and head a bit north to MSI to gobble it up behind the museum overlooking the pond. I love Chicago for all of the little places that make it unforgettable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The thanks go to my mother and father. The two people who inspired and encouraged me to be the best version of myself. They made immeasurable sacrifices for our family to ensure that we had a shot at the best possible life. They breathed in my sister, and I have a sincere belief that hard work pays off, and if you want something, you need to have the courage to go after it. Neither one of my parents attended college, but they wanted that for their girls. I owe them everything for the life that I have.

Website: https://www.sfdshs.org/

Instagram: poc_principalvibes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roni-facen-b777a9114/

Other: TikTok: @principalfacen

Image Credits
Eric Rosas