Bernadette holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as Illinois Teaching and Administrative Certificates.

_ Pathways to Learning, established in 1981 by Louise M. Jacobs and Bernadette Herman, is dedicated to helping youths learn how to live respectful, responsible, cooperative lives in an ever-changing world.

Over the years Louise and Bernadette have taught and administered at the elementary, secondary, and university levels. The lifespring of their work came from their design and administration of a benchmark program for Chicago youths, ages 9-16, with severe and profound behavior and learning challenges.

Louise and Bernadette have extensively shared the fruits of their learning experiences with educators and parents at the local and national levels through consulting, courses, and counseling.  They have conducted over 850 professional development and consulting sessions on a wide variety of topics.

Over 7,300 teachers have completed graduate coursework through Pathways to Learning summer institutes.  The evaluations, and more importantly the testimonies of impact on student learning, speak to the well-deserved reputation of these courses. 

Veteran teachers continually thank Pathways to Learning for helping them learn new skills and recreate a needed zest for the challenges of teaching and learning.

 

_Louise M. Jacobs, M.A. builds on her storied educational career as well as on her work as an Adlerian individual and family therapist to address some of the most complex social, emotional, and educational challenges.  She holds graduate degrees in Counseling-Psychology and History, as well as Illinois Teaching and Administrative Certificates. 

Louise has been called a “healer of hearts.” Her skills as a counselor and educator focus on supporting the social-emotional health of students, educators, and parents alike. Louise has helped hundreds of individuals and families address stressful issues and learn new life skills to maximize wellness in light of their own personal goals.

Those who have completed sessions with Pathways to Learning continually give testimony to Louise’s unmatched kind-firm communication and conflict resolution skills.  (“How does she stay so calm and yet get the most obstructive students to cooperate?”)  She relentlessly supports students, their families and teachers to work effectively together in their efforts to live responsibly, fully, and on purpose.

 

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Bernadette Herman, Ph.D., has enjoyed a reputation of being called a “teacher’s teacher.” Her enthusiasm and energy are contagious as she practices what she teaches.  Educators learn about learning and teaching while they themselves learn in a resourceful, action-packed differentiated environment. Teachers leave with grounded understandings of theory and practical applications that support the learning of their students.

Bernadette’s experiences as a teacher and administrator have been bolstered by her graduate degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Illinois Teaching and Administrative Certificates. Her wide body of publications and copyrighted materials bears testimony to her richly varied and successful professional career. 

Bernadette’s impressive leadership and service footprints earmark numerous initiatives. Bernadette is the recipient of National Louis University’s Excellence in Teaching Award and National Louis University’s Excellence in Service Award.  In 2011, she became Professor Emeritus of National Louis University.


Louise and Bernadette’s curriculum vitae are available upon request.