Meet the Team

Meet the passionate team behind Learning Linx Inc.! Our dedicated professionals are here to support, guide, and advocate for you. Get to know the experts who make a difference every day!

Miss DeAnna - Founder, Director, ADHD & Academic Coach, Educational Therapist, Parent Support Advocate

Welcome! My name is DeAnna Schiff and I am the Founder and Owner of Learning Linx, Inc.
As a dedicated teacher, children's book author, ADHD Coach and Parent Support Advocate, I have a strong passion for empowering students to reach their full potential.

With a background in Public Health and Education, I combine my expertise in academic development with personalized ADHD coaching to help students build the skills they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond. Specializing in reading, phonics, math, writing and executive function skills, I work with students to improve focus, organization, time management, and goal-setting.

Through customized strategies and a compassionate approach, I help students develop confidence, independence, and the tools they need to thrive in any learning environment. I am continuously committed to helping students unlock their unique strengths and achieve lasting success.

CREDENTIALS:
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH)
• Certified ADHD Coach (CACP)
• Published Book Author
• CEd- ADHD in Children: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (Cert.)
• CEd- Checking for Understanding in Elementary Math (Cert.)
• CEd- Building Reading & Writing Fluency (Cert.)
• CEd- Writing for Children (Cert.)
• Licensed Substitute Teacher:
D15 (McHenry), D12 (Johnsburg), D26 (Cary)
• CPR Certified
• CPI Certified (Crisis Prevention
Institute)

EXPERIENCE:
• General Education (preK-12) • SPED • Nonverbal (NVLD) • Selective Mutism • Autism • ADD/ADHD • Hearing Impaired • Auditory Processing Disorder • Dyslexia, Dysgraphia • Language Processing Disorder • Dysphasia • Down Syndrome • Apraxia of Speech
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LANGUAGES:
• English • Basic Spanish • Basic ASL

Miss Rachel - Sr. Academic Coach

Hello! My name is Rachel Cabrera, and I’m excited to be serving the McHenry community this fall. This marks my ninth year as an educator. I began my academic journey at Harper College, earning an Associate's degree in Elementary Education, then continued on to Olivet Nazarene University, where I graduated in 2017 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and four middle school endorsements.

Teaching is my passion, and I’m committed to helping students reach their fullest potential. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of educational settings, and I look forward to further developing my skills—especially through individualized support and one-on-one instruction.

While I enjoy all areas of learning, math has always held a special place in my heart. I thrive on witnessing “light bulb” moments in the classroom and hope to inspire many more here at Learning Linx!

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Professional Educator License (K–9)

• Middle School Endorsements

‣ Mathematics

‣ Science

‣ Language Arts

‣ Social Science

• Foundations of Leadership Certificate

‣ Awarded by The National Society

of Leadership and Success (NSLS)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

• Student Teaching:

‣ 1st Grade

• Full-Time Teaching Roles

‣ 5th Grade – All Subjects (2 years)

‣ 6th Grade – Math (1 year)

‣ 7th Grade – Math (5 years)

‣ 7th Grade – Science (1 year)

• STEAM Summer Program

‣ Catapult Learning – Summer Instruction

Miss Laine - Academic Coach

Hi! I’m Laine Sterbenz, a senior at Northeastern Illinois University majoring in Elementary Education, with endorsements in Middle School Math and Middle School Science.
I’m deeply committed to helping every child develop a love for learning and grow into a confident, lifelong learner.

I bring a strong academic foundation, along with hands-on experience in tutoring and education. My teaching style is student-centered, encouraging, and adaptable to individual learning needs. I believe in creating a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Certifications & Experience:
• Illinois Substitute Teaching License
• Endorsements in Middle School Math & Science
• Beginning Student Teaching – August 2025
• Graduating – December 2025

Miss Alyssa - Academic Coach

Hi! My name is Alyssa Weldzius, and I’m a sophomore at Marquette University, majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Dance. I am highly academically driven and passionate about helping students reach their full potential.

I have prior tutoring experience and have also taken child development courses, which have given me a strong understanding of how students learn best. My approach to tutoring is patient, personalized, and encouraging—I strive to make learning engaging and accessible for each student.

Certifications & Experience:
• CPR Certified
• General Education K-12
• Experience with ADD/ADHD

Miss Jessica - Academic Coach

Hi! My name is Jessica McCue and I am an incoming freshman at McHenry County College. I’m working to receive an Associates Degree in Science, to then attend a four-year school and obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. I’ve always been passionate about learning and I love helping others discover the ways they learn best.

I’ve had the opportunity to read to children at Ringwood Primary School (K-2), which has helped me develop patience and communication skills. I strive to create a supportive learning environment where students feel confident asking questions, exploring new ideas, and developing the skills they need to become independent learners.