Our Clinicians & Staff

Our areas of specialty include dyslexia, nonverbal learning disabilities, giftedness, writing disorders, specific language impairment, math disabilities, visual and auditory processing disorders, attentional regulation, and executive functioning disorders.

Our clinicians have an average of 15 years of experience in their fields of specialty, and we actively engage in the most recent developments in our fields, by attending and presenting at national professional conferences and by our ongoing discussion and application of peer-reviewed research. While our work is research-based, we are client-centered, using the learner in front of us to drive decisions about which best practice strategies will be most effective – and generating new strategies for unique situations.

Jordi Kleiner, PhD, BCET

DIRECTOR

More About Dr. Kleiner

Amy L. Luckey, MA

Amy has been with the Learning Clinic since its start, with over 20 years experience in private practice on the North Shore. She received her master’s degree from National-Louis University. She is certified in Orton-Gillingham reading methods and is a member of the International Dyslexia Association. Amy’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to connect with children and families helps children gain confidence and instill a love of learning.

Viola Jordan, MS, ET/P

Viola has a Master of Science degree in speech, language, and learning / learning disabilities from Northwestern University, as well as several years of experience teaching foreign languages to adolescents and adults in both private and public settings in Germany. She helps her clients overcome learning difficulties and gain self-confidence in and out of the classroom. Viola is a member of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and an Professional Educational Therapist and contributing member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET).

Aldona T. Marchese, MSEd, BCET

Aldona is a Board Certified Educational Therapist with over 15 years of experience providing educational, therapeutic, and multi-sensory remediation services to individuals of all ages with learning differences. She specializes in helping children with co-occuring ADHD and sensory processing disorders. Aldona received her B.A. from Hollins University and her M.S.Ed. from Dominican University. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham and certified by the American Montessori Society. Aldona is a contributing member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET) and is a member of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), International Dyslexia Association (IDA), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Craig Elderkin, MBA

Craig brings to the Learning Clinic years of experience in management consulting and financial analysis. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and his graduate degree from University of Chicago. Craig helps high school and college students with math tutoring, test preparation (ACT, SAT, PSAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT Reading), and professional certification exams, such as teaching or recreational therapist. Craig also provides executive function coaching and guided feedback to improve learning-related organization skills.

J. Meg Racenstein, PhD

J. Meg Racenstein, Ph.D., is a licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist with almost 20 years of experience conducting neuropsychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and young adults. Her evaluations identify the presence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, mood disorders, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, language disorders, as well as substance-induced disorders and their potential impact on academic functioning. Dr. Racenstein and Dr. Kleiner have collaborated on diagnostic assessments for 11 years.

Dr. Racenstein participated in research at the University of California, Los Angeles and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center involving extensive diagnostic interviews with patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and comorbid substance abuse. Dr. Racenstein received her B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Champaign, followed by her M.A., in Community Counseling at Loyola University, Chicago. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Institute of Psychology, and completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship training in Neuropsychology at the University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago.

Kay Kohl, MA

Kay is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she received a Master of Arts degree in learning disabilities. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, she researched a broad range of concussion assessments. In her current position in the Learning Clinic, Kay combines her experience in coaching and teaching students, background in Kinesiology, and academic knowledge to work effectively with clients. She has particular interest in developing ideal strategies for each individual that will facilitate long-term learning.

Jill Howe, MA

As an undergrad, Jill studied Literature and Philosophy at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and went on to achieve her Masters in Teaching from National Louis University with endorsements for high school Reading and Literature. She has taught in Chicago Public Schools, as well as in a special needs private school. Her main areas of educational focus are in reading and writing for teens. Jill is also a professional storyteller and enjoys bringing aspects of story and theater into her students’ educational growth. Jill is a member of the Association of Educational Therapists.

Connie Spiegel, MBA

OFFICE MANAGER

Connie has an MBA with a Marketing Specialization from Kellogg School of Management/Northwestern University, and a wealth of experience managing medical practices and serving as an executive assistant in corporate, legal, and health care offices across the North Shore.