About Shira

As a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, Shira Raviv Schwartz has taught many different kinds of learners. It has been her work with special education families and students that brings her the most joy. Shira has advocated for close to 500 families in districts all over the Chicagoland area. She chooses a collaborative approach that focuses on the student’s needs to align school supports.

With a strong awareness of all issues that parents face when advocating for their children, Shira works with families to problem solve some of the most difficult school situations related to learning differences, social emotional health (anxiety/depression) , autism, executive functioning and school avoidance/refusal.

Shira’s expertise includes:

• Certified in SLANT, an Orton- Gillingham based multi-sensory structured language program

• Experienced in Structured Word Inquiry

• Proven success providing reading intervention for students with language-based learning disabilities

• Served on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) State Literacy Plan Writing Team

• Served on the Illinois State Board (ISBE) Dyslexia Handbook Writing Team

• Advocates state-wide for stronger literacy policy in Illinois

• Presents to Parents, Educators, Legislators on:

  • Assistive Technology,

  • Literacy Policy/The Reading Crisis,

  • Dyslexia, Executive Functioning,

  • Advocacy/IEP/504 Plans,

  • Learning Disabilities,

  • Social Emotional Issues of School -Aged Children

In addition to Shira’s vast professional experience, Shira has also advocated for her family over the past 2 decades. Each of Shira’s three children has different learning styles. One of her children has profound dyslexia and was in and out of 7 schools before the age of 12. She understands the struggles families have when navigating the complex educational system.

Through her own experience as an educational advocate and having worked in dozens of school settings, she has developed a solid understanding of the kinds of supports children need, how to obtain educational services and supports, and ways that parents can be their child’s best advocate.

EDUCATION

• Indiana University,  B.A. English, Near Eastern Language and Culture

• Hebrew University of Jerusalem, M. A. Education

• Loyola University of Chicago, M.Ed. Administration and Supervision

TRAINING

• 20 years classroom teaching 

• SLANT Literacy certification

• Structured Word Inquiry training

• Wright's Law Training 

• Council of Parent, Attorneys and  Advocates SEAT training Cohort 6 (Special Education Advocate Certification)

• All Kinds of Minds -Mel Levine training

• Singapore Math 

• Responsive Classroom

• Executive Function Training

• Differentiation and Teaching Gifted Students

• Assistive Technology Workshops

• Illinois Type 75 Certification 

Board Memberships

• Everyone Reading Illinois: Vice President