About Compass

Compass Educational Consulting was established in the summer of 2003 as a solution-focused resource to families dealing with the chaos, anxiety and turmoil caused by having a troubled teen at home.

Our definition of a troubled teen is a young man or young woman who is experiencing

A Letter from Judi

I became interested in helping other families with troubled teens as a result of the experiences we have had with our teenage son. This bright, talented, funny and charming young man is also dealing with his adoption, ADHD and self-esteem issues. He began experimenting with drugs and alcohol…and everything quickly began to spiral out of control.

We were fortunate to stumble across a wonderful wilderness program in the summer of 2002…but six weeks just wasn’t enough. Right after the holidays that year, after his first semester as a freshman in our local public high school (which serves over 2100 kids), we sent him back to the wilderness program for a 15-day refresher and then enrolled him at an emotional growth boarding school on the East Coast. Upon finishing the 18-month therapeutic curriculum but with two years of high school yet to complete, we moved him out west to another special boarding school with a strong 12-step recovery program.

Fortunately, things are going well for our son. But… in remembering the frustration I felt when our psychiatrist and psychologist talked about the possibility of some sort of special boarding school but had no concrete suggestions…in remembering the school system’s inability to help… I decided I could do something to help other families.

As I waded through the various websites on the Internet regarding troubled teens, I began to learn more about educational consultants and how they help families. I completed the Principles and Practices Institute offered by the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and have begun visiting schools and programs. I have a much better understanding of why our psychiatrist and psychologist did not know more – they really couldn’t because educational consulting itself is a full-time job.

Give me a call or send me an e-mail…I’m happy to have an initial chat with you at no obligation. If you like what you hear, we can talk about how we can take the next steps together in charting a course for your teen!

 

EDUCATION

Doctor of Education (Ed D) Leadership Learning and Service, Cardinal Stritch University, 2002

Master of Education (M Ed) Early Childhood EducationUniversity of Florida, 1974

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Communication ArtsMichigan State University, 1972

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Provisional MemberIndependent Educational Consultants Association (IECA); October, 2003

IECA Practices and Principles InstituteJuly, 2003

CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive)December, 1997Harvard School of Education Birth to Three Summer ProgramJuly, 1976

AMI (Association Montessori International) DiplomaMay, 1975

OTHER WORK HISTORY

Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation | Oconomowoc, WisconsinExecutive DirectorNovember 1999 - 2006

Family Service Of Milwaukee | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an affiliate of Aurora Health CareExecutive DirectorFamily Service Foundation, September 1993 – November 1999Community Initiatives DirectorNovember 1997 – November 1999

Zoological Society of Milwaukee County | Milwaukee, WisconsinDirector of DevelopmentJanuary 1991 – September 1993

Growth Design Corporation | Milwaukee, WisconsinSenior ConsultantJuly 1987 – January 1991

Marine Bank | N.A., Milwaukee, WisconsinAssistant Vice President June 1984 – June 1987

Dennis W. Laudon & Associates (NML) | Milwaukee, WisconsinSpecial Agent October 1978 – June 1984

Penfield Children's Center | Milwaukee, WisconsinProgram Director August 1974 – October 1978

AFFILIATIONS

AFS University School of Milwaukee, Past President

Envision Affiliate of TEMPO International, past Board Member

Lake Country Rotary Past Club Service Chair

Professional Dimensions Professional women’s organization, Past President

 

Knowledgeable

Judi is an incredible resource for advocacy -- so much so that it surprised me. I didn’t know how much I needed her until I realized what she had accomplished for my grandson. I never would have found the resources she uncovered on my own. Her knowledge of the special needs “industry” cuts through months of searching and pairs desperate needs with the right solutions.

a Grandmother from Wisconsin

Contact Us

Judith E. Bessette, Ed D

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P: (414) 581-9146

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