BANNER NORTHLAKE THERAPEUTIC
BANNER NORTHLAKE THERAPEUTIC
OUR SCHOOL
KEY DATES & UPCOMING EVENTS
BANNER NORTHLAKE OVERVIEW
- Location: 215 N. Milwaukee Ave, Lake Villa, IL 60046
- School Phone: 847-245-6526
- School Email: office@bannerlearning.org
- School Leadership:
- Eric Carlton - Director of Education & Therapeutic Services
- Corey Shannon - Director of Student Services
- Barry Cohen - Director of Administrative Services
- Dr. Virginia Johnson - IEP Coordinator
- School Type: Therapeutic Day (ISBE Approved)
- Disabilities Served:
- Behavior Disability
- Emotional Disability
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech-Language Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Other Health Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Click the following link to review the school's bullying policy
EDUCATIONAL/THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM
Banner Northlake’s program includes:
- Promoting academic achievement, social/emotional well-being, and personal growth by utilizing therapeutic, educational, family, and community connections.
- Serving children and adolescents who, due to one or more of the following special education classifications, require additional support within the academic environment:
- Behavior Disability
- Emotional Disability
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech-Language Impairment
- Intellectually Disabled
- Other Health Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Providing services to children and adolescents who struggle with emotional, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities.
- Utilizing multiple programs and spaces to enhance reading, writing, and math skills.
- Improving executive functioning skills, and job and career readiness training.
- Utilizing educational, therapeutic, family, and community connections to promote academic achievement, social/emotional well-being, and personal growth.
- Offering a full continuum of therapeutic and related services such as:
- Counseling (Individual, Group, & Family)
- Psychiatric consultation
- Parent groups
- Related Services (Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech/Language Therapy & Substance Abuse Therapy)
- Equine-assisted therapy (EAT)
- Restorative and trauma-informed practices, including daily healing circles
- Part-time Nurse
- CAAEL (Chicago Area Alternative Educational League) for sports
OUR PROMISE TO STUDENTS
At Banner Northlake, we place the students first and, at all times, adhere to the following core tenets:
- We promise to deliver high-quality, individualized, academic, therapeutic, and behavioral services in a physically and emotionally safe school for all learners.
- We promise to provide highly committed, well-trained professionals who use data, collaboration, and technology to promote best practices that yield success in school and life.
- We promise to provide a broad range of in-house, supportive and educational services within a multidisciplinary environment.
- We promise to consistently collaborate with families, outside providers, school districts, and other community partners to ensure students’ success.
We promise to respect the dignity of students and families by maintaining privacy and confidentiality, following laws and regulations, and abiding by ethical guidelines.
We promise to promote acceptance and fairness, honor diversity, and recognize each student's and family's uniqueness and dignity.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Eric Carlton
Director of Education & Therapeutic Services
Eric Carlton has over 30 years of experience in the education arena. He served as a special education teacher, assistant/associate principal, and principal of a large public high school. Eric later became a regional vice president of a national educational services company. In 2003, he started Banner to open and operate alternative and therapeutic day programs. Eric earned his Bachelor of Arts in African Studies from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Masters of Science in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University, and Education Specialist Degree from Walden University. He is certified in Administration, Special Education and Instructional Leadership and belongs to numerous associations. Eric has received significant accolades, including the AdvancED Illinois Leadership Award and Excellence in Education Award, the Maryland Governor’s Citation for Excellence in Instructional Leadership, the Baltimore Mayor’s Community Partnership Award and UMBC’s Alumni of the Year Award. He is involved with several nonprofit boards and has worked with AdvancED for the past twelve years, serving as a lead evaluator and as the chairperson of its Illinois Performance Management Group. Over the past 30 years, Eric has been instrumental in improving the lives of thousands of disadvantaged students. Eric can be reached by calling Banner or by email at ecarlton@bannerlearning.org.
Corey Shannon
Director of Student Services
Corey Shannon has almost 30 years of experience in the education and social service arenas. In the education sector, he served as a special education teacher, assistant/associate principal, and principal of several large therapeutic and alternative schools in Chicago. Corey served as a regional trainer of trainers in school climate and classroom management until he transitioned to DCFS in 2017. Over the past two years, he has developed relationships with hundreds of businesses across Illinois to provide youth in care with employment opportunities. In addition, he ensures that youth receive training and support to obtain and sustain employment and to positively transform their lives. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Lincoln University, Master of Arts in Education from American International University, and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Corey belongs to numerous associations and has received significant accolades, including the Banner Learning Leadership Award (2016), Banner Learning Excellence in Education Award (2013), and Austin Community Citation of Dedication of Vision in Building a Stronger School and Community. As an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member, he sits on the fraternity’s Student Scholarship Committee and the board of Banner Learning LLC. From 2005 – 2017, Corey trained all Banner staff (eight schools) in the areas of CPI training and restorative practices. He recently started LFCS LLC, an employment training and placement firm, to continue his work with youth in care and other agencies. His firm provides training, consultation, and program design to meet the unique needs of youth in care and ensure their success. Over the past 28 years, he has been able to educate and improve the lives of thousands of students. While working with the most challenged students in Chicago and across Illinois, Corey and his teams have been instrumental in meeting and exceeding performance indicators in all schools and in his role at DCFS.
Barry Cohen
Director of Administrative Services
Barry Cohen has over 20 years of experience in the educational innovation arena, and a diverse background in accounting, law, and business. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Bentley University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Barry represented businesses for over a decade at large Baltimore law firms. In 2003, he left the private practice of law to become an entrepreneur in the education field, opening and operating alternative and therapeutic schools, and developing innovative curricula. He has developed effective business structures and streamlined administrative work both for his companies and as a consultant to other companies. He has opened numerous schools and educational programs with a focus on changing the landscape of urban education for the most disadvantaged and disengaged students. Through these programs, thousands of students have been educated, have received their degrees, and have achieved post-secondary success. Barry is also active in his community and sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. Barry can be reached by calling Banner or by email at bcohen@bannerlearning.org
