Nurturing your child, in their way.
An empowering environment that instills confidence and paves your child's road to success.
The curriculum is just the start
We believe learning is only as effective as it is meaningful to the students. And we've crafted our teaching practices around that belief. At Netivot, learning is:
Individualized
Personalized schedules and learning plans for each student.
Dynamic
Experiential lessons that are felt, internalized, and absorbed.
Skills-based
Practical skills to increase independence inside the classroom and out.
Engaging
Interest-led lessons rooted in topics students are excited about.
Nurturing
Warm staff who believe in the power of relationships and connection.
Integrated
Collaborative team-based approach to maximize therapeutic gains.
The school day is a joyful journey of growth and development
All the support your child needs — under one roof
DIR® Therapy
Life Skills Instruction
Social Skills Training
Behavioral Therapy
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Parent Support
Progress Monitoring
Evidence-Based Treatment
Behavioral Therapy
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
DIR® Therapy
Life Skills Instruction
Social Skills Training
Parent Support
Progress Monitoring
Evidence-Based Treatment
Therapy is an organic part of your child's learning
At Netivot, learning and therapy are interwoven throughout the day. Our weekly team meetings ensure the academic and therapeutic staff are aligned, so your child's learning experience is cohesive and maximally beneficial.
Meaningful learning doesn't stop when the bell rings
Neither do your child's struggles. We're dedicated to creating a supportive framework for your child's holistic development — at school, at home, and everywhere else — through consistent communication and school-home collaboration.
We are here to support families, no matter what the issue. Sleep concerns? Leisure skills? Camp referral? The door is always open.
"We are here to support families, no matter what the issue. Sleep concerns? Leisure skills? Camp referral? The door is always open."
Shira Wiesenberg
Netivot Educational Director
Sneak a peek into our outbox
Every week, we send out an email newsletter to parents rounding up the week's highlights and memorable moments. Here are a few from the current school year — have a look!
December 2021
January 2022
February 2022
"They're focused on what he wants"
My son loves planets, outer space, rockets, and astronauts. They made sure they put that into the curriculum! They made a rocket and a volcano, and they did things with planets. They're focused on what he wants. My son is learning while he's doing something that he loves, so he's gaining so much more — not just scholastically, but overall in life.
Mimi, Netivot parent
"They make us feel like we're doing them a favor!"
The school is made of people and families who make you feel like you’re doing them a favor by giving them your child!
Mendy, Netivot parent
"Independence is so important for our children"
More important than the academics for me is the life skills. They take them to the store once a week, they go shopping for the food they're going to prepare, and they're teaching them to prepare their own lunches… This independence is so important for our children.
Alexa, Netivot parent
"They're focused on what he wants"
My son loves planets, outer space, rockets, and astronauts. They made sure they put that into the curriculum! They made a rocket and a volcano, and they did things with planets. They're focused on what he wants. My son is learning while he's doing something that he loves, so he's gaining so much more — not just scholastically, but overall in life. He's able to connect to things better, because they're using topics that he wants to connect with.
Mimi, Netivot parent
"They make us feel like we're doing them a favor!"
The school is made of people and families who make you feel like you’re doing them a favor by giving them your child!
Mendy, Netivot parent
"Independence is so important for our children"
More important than the academics for me is the life skills. They take them to the store once a week, they go shopping for the food they're going to prepare, and they're teaching them to prepare their own lunches. I don't have to send in a lunch, which is great, and at the same time, he's learning to prepare sandwich himself. All this independence is so important for our children.
Alexa, Netivot parent
Netivot Pathways Academy upholds a policy of non-discrimination. No child, regardless of sex, race, disability, or national origin, will be denied an education at Netivot Pathways Academy.
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Shira Wiesenberg
Educational Director
Shira Wiesenberg has worked with individuals with special needs and their families for over 25 years. She brings a wealth of experience as a supervisor of special ed schools, day- and vocational programs, camps, and group homes, serving children and adults across a wide spectrum of needs, ages, and abilities. Prior to moving to Chicago, she served as Director at SINAI Schools in New Jersey, implementing innovative methodology and curricula for students with Developmental Disabilities. Mrs. Wiesenberg holds a degree in social work from Columbia University.
Esti Rosenfeld
Teacher
master teacher, Esti Rosenfeld comes to Netivot with over a decade of classroom experience at SCHI in Lakewood, NJ. She combines high-level skill and seasoned methodology with a strong belief in her students and understanding of their needs. Mrs. Rosenfeld is proud to be among the founding Netivot faculty team, setting a new standard in the field of Jewish special education in Chicago. She holds a masters degree in special education and is a licensed LBS1 teacher in Illinois.
Zachary Messer
Teacher
Zach Messer has been working professionally with people who have special needs since 2005. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a major in Special Education and is a licensed LBS1teacher in Illinois. Zach has worked with numerous individuals in various capacities including personalized instruction, vocational training and placement, and respite care. He believes in tailoring learning programs to each student’s unique goals and building positive, meaningful relationships to bring out the best in his students.
Nicole O’Toole
Occupational Therapist
Nicole brings over 20 years of experience to her role at Netivot. Working as a pediatric occupational therapist in variety of settings, she utilizes a child-centered approach with a focus on functional communication, dynamic and adaptive responses, and integrating sensory systems. Nicole’s areas of expertise include executive functioning, praxis, and sensory integration, with advanced training in Sensory Integration and Praxis (SIPT certified) and Zones of Regulation and Neurodevelopmental Treatment(NDT). Nicole completed her training in Occupational Therapy at Western Michigan University and maintains a private practice in addition to her work at Netivot.
Miriam Marmel
Speech and Language Pathologist
Miriam comes to Netivot with a wide range of special needs experience in both school and home settings. In addition to her direct work with children, Miriam values parent education and interprofessional collaboration with her students’ broader educational and therapeutic team. Her areas of focus include receptive and expressive language, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), and speech sound disorders. She utilizes a strengths-based and relationship-based approach in her therapy, valuing the client connection, and focusing on the whole child. Miriam holds licenses/certifications from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Early Intervention, and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
Brittany Prero
Physical Therapist
Brittany Prero has worked as a pediatric physical therapist since2015. Brittany attended Northwestern University Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences program, earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She has a wide range of experience with a variety of diagnoses within the pediatric population, including – cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, Down’s syndrome, muscular dystrophy, osteogenesis imperfecta, developmental delay, and other orthopedic involvements. Brittany has worked in various environments including rehabilitation hospital, schools, home and clinic settings. Brittany believes in patient/client centered care with an emphasis on the whole team approach to assist her clients to reach their utmost potential and achieve their goals.
Cassidy Reves-Sohn
Social Worker
Cassidy is a licensed clinical social worker with a focus in play therapy and neurodiversity. Prior to working at Netivot, she served as a school social worker at the JCFS Knapp Therapeutic School and in the Chicago Public Schools. Cassidy approaches her work from developmental and relationship frameworks with a strong belief in her students’ ability to learn and grow. She is passionate about disability justice and making the world more accessible for all bodies and minds and values the opportunity to work with families in a holistic manner and support the child within the context of their family system. Cassidy earned her social work degree from the University of Chicago and loves all things art, music, and nature.