About Corbelli Learning Commons
Your child can gain relief from the uncertainty of academic challenges and have the clear plan needed to meet today’s needs, while building confidence and transferable skills and competencies for their future.
Corbelli Learning Commons (CLC) brings decades of experience in holistic educational support with a focus on executive functioning, including discomfort tolerance, as the underpinning of success. All academic tutoring and learning supporting provided through CLC centers on the knowledge that the development of life-long skills in the areas of analytical thinking, building funds of knowledge, organizational skills, problem-solving, emotional regulation (managing stress in healthy ways), planning, and time management are the keys to students being independent, life-long learners. Your child can gain relief from the uncertainty of academic challenges and have a clear plan to meet today’s needs, while building confidence and transferable skills and competencies for their future. Dr. Corbelli is inspired by the lotus flower, which represents growth and resilience, flourishing despite difficult conditions, reflecting her dedication to helping students overcome obstacles and confidently reach their fullest potential. Additionally, Dr. Corbelli and CLC helps parents be more equipped to support their children in ways that strengthen their parent-child bond.
Meet Dr. Mary Corbelli
Dr. Corbelli is a native of Buffalo, New York, and an avid Buffalo Bills fan. She never loses hope!
The founder of Corbelli Learning Commons, Mary Corbelli holds a Doctorate in Education from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Master's Degree in Developmental & Educational Psychology and Bachelor's Degrees in both Biology and Education from Boston College. She has extensive experience in teaching, admissions, and school placement in New York City independent schools. Dr. Corbelli is also a learning specialist who provides academic and executive functioning support, who also continues to tutor all levels of biology and psychology. Dr. Corbelli works with neurotypical and neurodiverse students and their families in decision-making and in communicating with schools, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other specialists. She draws upon a wide professional network to support families in meeting a broad range of student and family needs. During her 20 years in private practice, Dr. Corbelli has developed a deep knowledge of independent schools. She guides families using a holistic lens, focusing on what best meets their child's needs within the context of the family, while always considering longer-term possibilities, hopes, and goals.
Dr. Corbelli centers both learning and social-emotional well-being in her work. She supports students and families from elementary school through college, serving clients nationwide at public, day, and boarding schools. Dr. Corbelli offers a service tailored to meet the individual needs of each child and family. She helps families navigate challenging moments and optimize outcomes, seeking to mitigate stress, support evidence-based decision-making, and guide families towards solutions. She believes that no one should have to navigate educational uncertainty alone.
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Trinity School - Teacher, Advisor, Admissions, and Learning Support Specialist
Bank Street College of Education - Dean, Admissions, and Learning Support Specialist
ULURU, Director of Parent Content - Curriculum Development for Parents Supporting Learning at Home
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Dr. Corbelli has experience guiding students in many learning environments, including K-12 day and boarding schools, and universities, including:
The Brearley School
Boston College
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Buckley School
The Chapin School
The Collegiate School
Connecticut College
Cornell University
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Grace Church School
Horace Mann School
The Packer Collegiate Institute
Riverdale Country School
St. Mark’s School
St. Paul’s School
Sewickley Academy
Trinity School
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White Privilege Conference Presenter (2025): Educating for Change, A Conversation to Dismantle Privilege in Neurodiverse Learning
Vanderbilt University, Peabody College, Coffee & Capstones, (2025): Promising Practices for Navigating Research, Leveraging Resources, and Making Meaning Throughout the Capstone Process
Student Support Conference, NYSAIS, Presenter (2024): Communication & Collaboration for Student Support
Team Members & Affiliates
Dr. Corbelli prioritizes individualized support, professional expertise, and the practitioner’s fit for the student and family when making referrals. Some of the educators and students she works most closely with are highlighted here.
Dana Albert
Dana is a dedicated educator with a love for mathematics. She had the privilege of teaching Upper School Mathematics and Economics at Trinity School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan from 2012-2022. During her time there, she fostered a dynamic and engaging learning environment and helped her students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. In addition to teaching, she tutored students privately. Driven by her commitment to educational excellence, she has transitioned into full-time secondary math tutoring. She provides personalized instruction and guidance to empower her students to overcome challenges and reach their full potential in the subject.
Her interests include practicing yoga for physical and mental well-being, savoring calm moments with a cup of tea, and exploring the great outdoors. She loves to travel the world and immerse herself in new cultures. By nurturing her personal interests, she cultivates a well-rounded approach to life and brings a sense of tranquility and enthusiasm to her tutoring sessions. She graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education.
Michael Barbaro
With decades of experience in independent schools, Michael Barbaro is deeply committed to nurturing both the intellectual and personal development of students. He holds a Master’s in Spanish from New York University and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Youth Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. Michael brings a dynamic, student-centered approach to language instruction, integrating his expertise in Spanish with a strong focus on executive functioning and cognitive growth. Beyond language instruction, Michael thoughtfully supports students in building executive functioning skills, equipping them with essential tools for academic success—such as time management, organization, and critical thinking. His holistic educational philosophy is grounded in a belief that academic achievement must be supported by strong character development. As a former Chaplain and Director of Community Service, he helps students discover their unique strengths and grow into compassionate, reflective individuals.
Throughout his career as a teacher, tutor, Chaplain, and administrator, Michael has held impactful roles at esteemed institutions including Trinity School, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Beauvoir—the National Cathedral Elementary School—and Berwick Academy. As a seasoned Spanish tutor, he instills a genuine appreciation for language and culture in his students, preparing them to become empathetic, informed global citizens. His extensive travel and time living in various Spanish-speaking countries, along with his DELE Superior certification from the Embassy of Spain, underscore his linguistic mastery and cultural fluency.
Guided by the philosophy, “I teach because I have a past that is rich in memories, a present that is challenging, adventurous, and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future,” Michael creates learning environments that are inclusive, supportive, and inspiring. His unwavering commitment to student growth—both as learners and as people—empowers them to thrive academically and lead lives of purpose, empathy, and integrity.
Jamie Bassis
Jamie Bassis is a New York State-licensed chemistry teacher with over 25 years of experience inspiring and educating students in the sciences. Jamie earned a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education from Hofstra University and a Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University. As the founder of Jamie Bassis Tutoring, Jamie offers expert, individualized instruction in chemistry in New York City and nationwide, with in-person sessions in Suffolk County, New York. Jamie specializes in a wide range of chemistry courses at all levels, including AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Regents Chemistry, as well as College Chemistry I and II.
With a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success, Jamie combines a strong content foundation with a supportive, personalized teaching approach to help learners build confidence, improve performance, and achieve their academic goals. Whether preparing for a major exam or seeking long-term enrichment, students benefit from Jamie’s extensive classroom experience, deep subject knowledge, and passion for science education. Jamie can be directly reached at (631) 559-5856.
August Easton
August Easton is a student at The Spence School in New York City with a passion for helping students build confidence in their learning. She has extensive experience working with children and peers of all ages through tutoring, mentoring, and volunteer work, with a particular focus on supporting students with learning differences and special needs. For the past two years, August has volunteered with the Association Benefiting Children (ABC), where she tutors students, leads classroom activities, and helps create a supportive and engaging learning environment. At Spence, she has also served as a peer tutor, working with both middle school and upper school students across a variety of subjects.
August believes that every student learns differently and she enjoys discovering the strategies that help each learner thrive academically and develop confidence in their own abilities. Beyond tutoring, August has conducted independent historical research on women's education in post-revolutionary Iran and is the founder of Access to Assessment, an initiative dedicated to helping families access neuropsychological evaluations and better understand learning differences. Her work reflects her commitment to educational equity and her belief that every child deserves the opportunity to understand how they learn best. August’s teachers describe her as an incredibly strong self-advocate and capable individual, who is also a hard worker and a bright light, embodying both the joy of learning and the pride that comes with persistence. When she's not tutoring, August enjoys creative writing, poetry, history, and working on projects that combine education, advocacy, and community service.
Saul Isaacson
Saul Isaacson has taught English at New York City’s prestigious Trinity School for 37 years and brings a rare combination of deep mastery, warmth, and clarity to his work in and outside of the classroom. Whether helping students craft a standout college essay, master Shakespearean sonnets, or tackle 9th grade through graduate school level literary analysis, Saul's intellectual rigor is enhanced by his calm, inquiry-based and thoughtful approach to each student's needs. Saul builds students' confidence while enhancing their knowledge and skills, in a manner that supports their success well beyond the high school and college years.
Since graduating from Columbia University (B.A. English) and the University of Pennsylvania (M.A. English), Saul has taught every major literary genre and period. He is an expert in Shakespeare, Renaissance and Romantic literature, Tragedy, the History of the Essay, and Jewish American Literature, among others. He has guided students to achieve their goals in national competitions including the Scholastic Writing Awards. He’s also supported countless others through the complexities of the college admissions process by assisting with crafting essays, refining personal statements, and preparing for interviews. As a former student dean, Saul is well versed in the many complexities students and families face as they navigate the competing priorities of their (and their child's) academic years. Thus, he employs a holistic approach to helping students pace their work as they plan and execute on close analytical reading and written work. Saul has also been a long time Student Advisor, and the organizer/moderator of Trinity’s Shakespeare monologue competition and annual Cum Laude Talks.
Saul served for 15 years as an oral exam administrator at the Lycée Français de New York, preparing students for the French Baccalaureate. He is a published writer whose interviews with Noam Chomsky and others have appeared in Truthout, CounterPunch, Jacobin, and Foreign Policy Journal. He’s the recipient of multiple academic travel grants, having followed the literary trails of Wordsworth, Carlyle, Joyce, Yeats, Dickens and Hemingway across Europe. And he was the 2013 recipient of Trinity’s Distinguished Teacher Award.
Saul offers personalized, high-level support in: literary analysis and essay writing, college application essays, AP English and honors coursework, enrichment in reading, writing, and critical thinking, and standardized test prep (reading/writing sections).
Schedule an introductory consultation today so we can learn more about your child’s needs and begin to provide your family educational guidance and support.