Certified Learning Specialist and Professional Educational Consultant
About Us
Patti Schabinger, M. Ed.
As an Independent Educational Consultant, Patti assists students and families to address needs of the whole person. Patti uses a calm, encouraging coaching style to help with executive skills, academics, test prep, and the college process depending on individual needs. Patti strives to reduce stress and foster success by building confidence in personal abilities, encouraging critical thinking, and focusing on strengths. For college consulting, Patti demystifies the admissions process and comprehensively assists families with the college search, career exploration, application completion, essay guidance, interview prep, and scholarship information. Professional memberships in regional, state, and national organizations help keep Patti current with college trends and admissions developments along with the latest strategies for assisting students with learning differences and exceptional abilities. With strong ethics and highly individualized guidance, Patti effectively prepares students for the next step in school and life. Planning ahead keeps students on track to graduate on time and reduces the likelihood of transferring or switching colleges. The daunting admissions process becomes less stressful with a timeline, expertise, and resources.
Patti Schabinger M.Ed. started as a multi-age classroom teacher and later worked as the Learning Specialist in Highland Park, Illinois. Specializing in gifted education, learning disabilities, reading, writing, English, ADHD, anxiety issues and other learning differences, Patti now guides students of all ages and abilities as they navigate elementary, high school, college, and graduate school. Adults benefit from executive functioning development and life skills. Training in many of the University of Kansas Learning Strategies Curriculums and the Rush NeuroBehavioral Executive Function Skills program helps Patti to expertly teach English, writing, reading, and other academic subjects by integrating executive functioning with specific methods to enhance learning, organization, memory, success, and confidence.
Strategies to develop positive growth mindsets are integrated into instruction often resulting in improved motivation and grades!
Patti and Paul have three adult sons currently working in physics/data science, business, and law. Patti volunteered on the PTA boards for elementary, middle, and high school. She has given talks to teachers and parents on executive skills and written an article for the national publication of Independent Educational Consultants Association on executive skills for college students. Patti has been chairwoman of the Educational Therapists for Professionals in Learning Disabilities/Special Education for over ten years to match students with educational specialists. Also, Patti volunteered at a local high school in the college guidance department for ten years helping lead discussions between students and admissions officers, organizing college materials, and registering students at the annual College Fair.
Patti's work experience included acting as an ACT, SAT, and AP proctor and supervisor at Glenbrook South High School. In addition, Patti served on the board as the founding Vice President of The Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview, Illinois. Patti has given training sessions to Chicago Public School teachers for a gifted Saturday reading program. As part of a national college consultant association, Patti worked on the college committee to keep members informed and to promote best practices.
To help elementary students better understand learning differences and individual capabilities, Patti volunteered with others to perform puppet shows with the special education group called Kids on the Block. One of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities involved raising funds for children and families facing cancer or other catastrophic illnesses. Patti served as president, treasurer, philanthropy chair, fundraising chair, programs chair, and other positions, staying on the executive board for over twenty years. The organization, For All The Children, supported local hospitals, grief groups, One Step At A Time Camps, cancer wellness groups, and Northshore Hospice.
Paul R. Schabinger, MD.
Dr. Paul Schabinger, a retired Radiation Oncologist, served as medical director at three Chicago area hospital departments - Lutheran General, Illinois Masonic, and Resurrection - and was on staff at numerous other hospitals. Voted as a Top Doctor by Chicago Magazine and US News and World Report, Dr. Paul Schabinger helped many patients and families faced with challenging health issues.
Paul has worked with students in elementary through high school to investigate math and science topics. Students gain confidence, reduce stress, and discover more about the natural world as Paul breaks down difficult concepts into manageable chunks. Also, Paul expertly guides and teaches students the math/science skills and strategies required for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT standardized tests.
Paul served on the Ph.D. review Board at Rosalind Franklin University in the department of Medical Radiation Physics.
Elected as part of the medical staff leadership at Lutheran General Hospital, Paul was a longtime chair of the Medical Education Committee, which was responsible for medical education programming and oversite of continuing education credits for the medical staff members. Paul was on the Medical Staff Executive Committee for six years, which met with the hospital administration to promote communication.
Active in the community, Paul served on the Glenview/Northbrook District 30 School Board for eight years and the District 30 Foundation for four years. As a parent of three sons, Paul volunteered as a Den Leader and Cubmaster for Cub Scouts Pack 365 at a local elementary school. He also coached baseball in Northbrook. Paul more recently served as the first Board President of Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview, Illinois.