About Dr. Patrick Schwarz
Dr. Patrick Schwarz

Dr. Patrick Schwarz is a dynamic and engaging professor, author, motivational speaker and leader in Education and Educational Leadership for all students. He is the President of Creative Culture Consulting LLC and Young Professor Emeritus at National Louis University, Chicago. He is the author of From Disability to Possibility®, You're Welcome, Just Give Him the Whale, Pedro's Whale and From Possibility to Success. His amazing colleague, Dr. Paula Kluth, co-authored three of his books. Patrick has presented, consulted and coached in school districts all across the world, impacting a significant number of schools with his progressive work. Patrick's professional mission is to promote education and human services that advance the status of people of all ages with diverse support needs. This will enable individuals to be successfully engaged, find meaning and be respected members of their learning, working and living communities.

 

Patrick’s current professional vita is below:

 

Vita

Patrick Schwarz, Ph.D.

CEO, Creative Culture Consulting, LLC

Professor Emeritus, Diversity in Learning and Teaching Department

National Louis University, Chicago

 

Education

Degree: Ph.D.

Institution: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Field: Special Education, Educational Leadership

 

Professional Mission

My professional mission is to promote education and human services that advance the status of people of all ages with diverse support needs. This will enable individuals to successfully be engaged, find meaning and be respected members of their learning, working and living communities.

 

Current Courses Taught

  • Differentiated and Individualized Curriculum and Instruction
  • Collaborative and Consultative Teaming and Teaching
  • Social Emotional Supports
  • Individualized Curriculum and Instruction
  • Introduction to Students with Special Education Needs
  • Inclusive Education Workshops
  • Universal Design and Differentiation Workshops
  • Collaboration and Co-Teaching Workshops
  • Positive Behavior Supports Workshops
  • Transition Workshops
 

Selected Publications

Schwarz, P. (2023). Creating Truly Inclusive Schools: Transform Old Thinking into New Practice. Book Manuscript Submitted for Publication.

Schwarz, P. (2021). Lou Brown: The Man Behind the Legend. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. 46 (4).


Schwarz, P. (2021). Successful Inclusive Education Film Series. Florida: ATC.
Film One: Introduction to Inclusive Education
Film Two: Inclusion Planning, Teaching and Assessment
Film Three: Effective Co-Teaching
Film Four: Supporting Students with Their Passions and Interests & Social Relationships
Film Five: Collaboration and Systems Change in an Inclusive Education Model

Kluth, P. and Schwarz, P. (2018). Pedro's Whale. Translated, Reformatted and Republished. China: Huaxia Publishing House.

Schwarz, P. (2017). Parallels in Time: A Place to Learn. Creation and Revision of Online Curriculum Courses. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Governor's Council On Developmental Disabilities.


Kluth, P. and Schwarz, P. (2017). Just Give Him the Whale! 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism. Translated, Reformatted and Republished.  China: Huaxia Publishing House.

Schwarz, P. and Kluth, P. (2014). You're Welcome. Reformatted and Republished. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann

 

Schwarz, P. (2013). From Possibility to Success: Achieving Positive Student Outcomes in Inclusive Classrooms. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Kluth, P. & Schwarz, P. (2010). Pedro’s Whale. (Children's Book). Baltimore: Brookes.

 

Kluth, P. and Schwarz, P. (2008). Just Give Him the Whale! 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism. Baltimore: Brookes.

 

Schwarz, P. and Kluth, P. (August, 2007). You’re Welcome: Promoting Peaceful Schools Through Positive Behavior Supports. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Schwarz, P. and Kluth, P. (August, 2007). You’re Welcome: Collaboration. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Schwarz, P. and Kluth, P. (August, 2007). You’re Welcome: Differentiated Instruction. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Schwarz, P. (February, 2007). Special Education: A Service, Not a Sentence. In: Educational Leadership: Alexandria, Virginia.

 

Schwarz, P. (2006). From Disability to Possibility®: The Power of Inclusive Classrooms. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Selected Presentations


2023

  • Keynote and Presentation, Florida Disabilities Council
  • Keynote and Presentation, Midland Texas
  • Transformative Planning , Illinois Star Net
  • Keynote and Presentation, Missouri DD Council
  • Keynote and Presentation, Minnesota Governor's Council on Disabilities
  • District Workshops, Wyoming Fremont County Schools
  • Keynote, Missouri Juvenile Justice Association
  • Keynote and Presentation, Rutgers University
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, and New Jersey

2022

  • Keynote and Presentation, Florida CARD Autism Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation, Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville
  • Keynote and Presentations, Walled Lake School District, Michigan
  • Keynote and Presentation, Region 1 Texas
  • Keynote and Sessions, Missouri DD Council
  • Presentation, National PEAK Conference
  • Presentations, New Hampshire Institute on Disability
  • Featured Presentations, Illinois Superintendents Conference
  • Presentations and Coaching, Wyoming Department of Education for Riverton
  • Visioning Facilitation, Illinois STARNET
  • District Inclusive Education Evaluation, Woodridge, Illinois
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Minnesota, New Hampshire, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, West Virginia and New Jersey

2021

  • Keynote, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Keynote and Presentation, Spokane Public Schools
  • Keynote and Presentation, Texas Early Childhood Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation, South Dakota Transition Conference
  • Keynote and Sessions, State of Texas Regions 13 & 20
  • Keynote and Session, Washington Pubic Schools
  • Keynote and Sessions, StarNet
  • Workshops and Systems Change Coaching, Wyoming State Department of Education: Riverton
  • Workshops and Systems Change Coaching, Wyoming State Department of Education: Glenrock
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Minnesota, Delaware, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri

2020

  • Keynote, COPAA National Conference, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Keynote and Presentation, International PEAK Conference, Denver, Colorado
  • Keynote, National Inclusive Practices Conference, Houston, Texas
  • Keynote and Sessions, Cleveland Public Schools
  • Keynote, Sessions and Systems Change Coaching:  State of Illinois:  Franklin Park, Orland Park, Palatine, North Berwyn, Wilmette, Elmwood Park
  • Workshops and Systems Change Coaching. Wyoming State Department of Education:  Riverton
  • Workshops and Systems Change Coaching, Wyoming State Department of Education:  Glenrock
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and South Dakota


2019

  • Keynote and Sessions, English Schools Foundation, Hong Kong
  • Keynote and Session, Independent Educational Consulting Association (IECA)
  • Keynote and Sessions, Minnesota Autism Conference
  • Keynote and Sessions, Illinois State Board of Education Technology for Employment Conference
  • Sessions, Wyoming State Department of Education WAVE Conference
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, West Virginia, Illinois and South Dakota


2018

  • Keynote: Illinois State Board of Education Directors Conference
  • Keynote and Session: DSAGR Conference, Virginia
  • Keynote and Session: Wisconsin Transition Conference
  • Keynote and Session: Geneva International School, Switzerland
  • Keynote and Session: German Swiss International School, Hong Kong
  • Keynote and Session: Lighting the Way Autism Conference, South Dakota
  • Sessions: Wyoming Department of Education State WAVE Conference
  • Sessions: ElevatEd Conference, Indiana MSD Township Board of Education
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Illinois and South Dakota

 

2017

  • Keynote and Presentations: 2017 International Inclusion and Communication Conference
  • Keynote and Session: National Inclusion Connection Conference, University of Northern Iowa
  • Keynotes: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
  • Keynote: Center on Disabilities Miniseries, Temple University
  • Keynote and Presentation: Mesa County Institute, Colorado
  • Featured Session: Illinois Includes National Conference
  • Featured Full-Day Workshop: Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education, New York
  • Partners in Policymaking National Featured Sessions: Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and South Dakota

 

2016

  • Keynote and Presentations: Melbourne, Australia, Aspect Autism in Education Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: National Accessibility Summit, Washington, D.C.
  • Keynote and Presentation: National Autism Association Conference
  • Keynote: Association of Teacher Educators Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: Council for Exceptional Children Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: Indiana Focus on Inclusion Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: Wyoming Department of Education Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: Illinois StarNET Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: Illinois ARC Conference

 

2015

  • Keynote and Presentations: Queensland, Australia, My Future My Life Conference 1
  • Keynote and Presentations: Brisbane, Australia, My Future My Life Conference 2
  • Keynote and Presentation: OAASFEP Title 1 Federal Spring Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: Minnesota Autism Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: New Jersey Coalition for Inclusion Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities Conference
  • Keynote and Presentations: Illinois StarNET Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: Chicago Public Schools Spring Inclusive Education Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Regional Conference

 

2014

  • Keynote and Presentations: From Possibility to Success, New Zealand Imagine Better Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: Transition Best Practices, Australia Imagine More Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: From Possibility to Success, Bermuda Ministry of Education and Learning Disabilities Association Conference
  • Keynote and Presentation: From Possibility to Success, Florida Providing Austim Support Conference
  • Full Day Workshop: Inclusive Education, Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council
  • Presentations: From Possibility to Success, OAASFEP Title I Federal Spring Conference, Columbus
  • Keynote and Presentation, From Possibility to Success, Autism Society of Baltimore

 

2013

  • Keynote and Presentations: From Disability to Possibility, National Inclusion Works Conference, Austin
  • Opening Keynote and Presentation: From Disability to Possibility®, State Family Advocacy Conference, Wyoming
  • Opening Keynote and Presentation: From Disability to Possibility®, State of Indiana Inclusive Education Conference
  • Opening Keynote and Presentation: From Disability to Possibility®, State of New Mexico Family Empowerment Conference
  • Opening Keynote and Presentation: Just Give Him the Whale, Wisconsin Autism Conference
  • Presentations: Universal Design, Differentiation and Student Accommodations, Illinois Includes Conference
  • Keynote, Presentation and Media Interview: Successful Inclusive Education, Minnesota Governor's Council
  • Opening Keynote and Presentations: You're Welcome, South Carolina Department of Education Conference
  • Opening Keynote and Presentations: You're Welcome, Texas Inclusive Education Conference
  • Opening Keynote and Presentations: Just Give Him the Whale, Pennsylvania Department of Education Regional Conference
 

Selected Work in Schools and the Community

  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Oak Park, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Vernon HIlls, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, St. Charles Schools, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Woodridge Schools, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Palos Heights Schools, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, River Forest Schools, Illinois
  • Inclusive Education Presenter and Consultant, Chicago Public Schools
  • Consultant and Presenter, International/National Partners in Policymaking
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Wyoming Department of Education
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Elmwood Park Public Schools, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Palatine Public Schools Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Des Plaines Public Schools, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, North Berwyn Public Schools, Illinois
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, Sauk City Public Schools, Wisconsin
  • Consultant, Presenter and Coach, McHenry Public Schools, Illinois
 

Selected Research Interests

  • School and Community Inclusive Education
  • Universal Design and Inclusive Curricular Design
  • Collaboration and Co-Teaching
  • Positive Behavior Supports
  • Transition
  • Student Fascination and Interest Areas
 

Selected International Experience

  • Presenter, Hong Kong English Schools Federation Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, Geneva, Switzerland International School Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, German Swiss International School Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, Melbourne, Australia Autism Education Conference
  • Presenter, Wellington, New Zealand Transition Conference
  • Presenter, Sydney, Australia Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, Cordoba, Argentina Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, Parramatta, Australia Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, Bermuda Inclusive Education Conference
  • Presenter, Wiesbaden, Germany Education Conference
  • Presenter, Brisbane, Australia Transition Conference
  • Presenter, Queensland, Australia Transition Conference
  • Presenter, Toronto, Canada Inclusive Education Conference
 

Selected Personal Interests

  • Musician
  • Architecture
  • Health/Wellness
 
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