Bridget Walsh has been teaching and working alongside families since 2004. Her work as an instructor and advocate for families led to the formal launch of Bridge Academics in 2017. Previously, she directed the McDermott Doyle Program for young men with Learning Disabilities at Mt. Carmel High School. In addition, she was a lead teacher for the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago and supported private clients from kindergarten through college. Bridget also works with young adults who require executive function support, setting goals and keeping accountability for those needing strategies for support, identifying and meeting goals for life success. Presently, she works at Francis W. Parker School as the 11-12th grade Learning Specialist.
With a Master's Degree in Multi-categorical Special Education, Bridget has experience coaching families through difficulties and encouraging students to advocate effectively while taking responsibility for their future. She integrates plans to meet clients' needs and identifies areas of strength to guide families towards paths where success builds confidence and independent skills. Bridget specializes in onboarding first-year college students and supporting families through difficult academic transitions. The partnerships formed through professional endeavors have provided Bridget with a wealth of connections and resources to help students, parents, and young adults overcome hurdles that may have prevented success in the past.
Ryan Hurnevich has been teaching and working with families since 2008. He earned his BS in Journalism with a minor in Language, Literature, and Writing. After working as a freelance writer and musician, Ryan found his passion for teaching and is certified in English and History. He teaches English and Social Studies at Wolcott College Prep, a high school for students with learning differences. Previously, he worked for the Integrated Learning and Information Science department at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago. Ryan also served as a writing teacher for High Jump Chicago. This nonprofit organization equalizes access to education for Chicago middle school students who have exhibited academic ambition and potential and are of limited economic means.
Throughout his time working in education, Ryan has taught students at every level from 1st to 12th grade. Beyond his work in the classroom, Ryan has coached student poetry teams, basketball, baseball, and soccer.
Relying on a wealth of knowledge and experience as a teacher, Ryan works closely with students and their families at all age levels on writing support, executive function coaching, and humanities content area tutoring. Ryan also works with adults with ADHD, helping them develop strategies and create systems to manage their work and personal lives efficiently., creating plans to effectively tackle barriers to effective management of personal goals.
Jessica Robbins has been a leading educational consultant and academic advisor in Chicago since 2004. She specializes in working with high school/college students and adults with ADHD, coaching executive function skills in academics and life planning. She continues to evolve her practice at the forefront of methods in the field and collaborates in public forums with leaders in ADHD treatment and education. She advocates on behalf of families for inclusive access to curriculums through direct communication with each student's school. In addition, she has built strong relationships with the teachers and administrators within Chicago Public School and Chicago's top independent schools.
Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Education from Syracuse University and a Master of Education in Ed Policy and Management from Harvard University. Jessica has taught in both the Chicago Public Schools and Independent Schools, working with K-12 and college students. Jessica has been working privately with schools and families to help her students have access to the curriculum at all levels. She worked as a consultant for CPS to help increase math and reading scores across the district and helped write and edit the content for assessments. Jessica's focus at Harvard was systemic issues around disability rights and educating administrators, teachers, and parents on IDEA.