Unlock your child’s learning potential
Specialized, individualized and targeted.
Come Meet our Team of Learning Specialists! The Learning Specialists use their extensive training and expertise to cultivate an individualized approach for each K-12 student’s success in reading, writing, math and executive functioning.
Our Process
Step 1: Begin with an intake call and student evaluation to identify the student’s specific academic needs.
Step 2: We identify the priority learning goals to target the root of the learning gap.
Step 3: The student is matched with a learning specialist that will consistently work on focus-driven outcomes while building trust and confidence.
Step 4: The student and instructor will work together for a trimester-long cycle where we carefully monitor progress toward identified goal and report detailed progress.
Our Approach & Methods
Targeted Intervention to address your child’s specific needs: We provide 1:1 intervention using structured literacy interventions, such as Wilson Reading System, Just Words, Orton-Gillingham for specific word reading, spelling and reading fluency gaps and Visualizing and Verbalizing for reading comprehension weaknesses. We also have team members who provide academic executive functioning coaching, explicit math and writing instruction or regular content tutoring. Our case managers provide added reassurance of goal alignment, progress and an extra touch point for parents. We customize every learning plan to drive measurable academic outcomes that strengthen your child’s skills, while providing you an outlet to discuss concerns and be reassured your child is on the right track.
Meet Kristen
Kristen McShane is the Founder and Owner of The Learning Specialist. A graduate of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she also holds dual Master's Degrees in Special Education and Instructional Leadership from University of Illinois at Chicago. Kristen draws from over fifteen years teaching experience in suburban, urban, higher education and private settings. Kristen is dual certified to teach individuals with dyslexia to read.
Kristen is an advocate for parents to learn more about their child’s learning profile, the instruction needed to support and how best to approach the school to maximize support.
Kristen is proud to work alongside a team of effective, professional learning specialists who share their impact with families year-round through The Learning Specialist.