About The Founder

Dr. Norrine Russell

Dr. Norrine Russell is the founder of Russell Coaching for Students, which uses an innovative method of coaching for complex students, including those who are 2E; have ADHD, Autism, or Anxiety; and those with learning differences. This innovative method, Connected Coaching, has proven successful for hundreds of students since 2009. She is the author of the recently published guide for parents, “Asking the Right Questions Before, During, and After Your Child’s ADHD Diagnosis.”

With twenty years of experience creating positive youth development and parenting education programs, Dr. Russell has extensive knowledge of child development, learning styles, special needs, and positive parenting philosophies. She blends this knowledge to provide students and parents with comprehensive support and the tools they need to grow and thrive.

Dr. Russell’s passion for providing support to frustrated students and weary parents is fueled not only by her processional training and expertise but also by her own experience of raising two complex children who are both neurologically atypical (her children’s diagnoses include autism, mood disorders, ADHD, giftedness, and learning differences). Dr. Russell knows firsthand the exhaustion parents face as they day in and day out seek solutions for their out-of-the-box children. She is committed to supporting the psychological well-being, education, and family life of all her clients.

Dr. Russell has a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University with a focus on psychology and education. She consults with and trains at both public and private schools across the Tampa Bay area. She has taught psychology and education courses at Sweet Briar College, University of Minnesota-Morris, and a number of other colleges. She has served on numerous boards and volunteered thousands of hours to give back, mostly recently as the Interim CEO (full-time volunteer) at Plato Academy Schools Corporation in ‘20-’21, serving on the Board at Plato Academy, and in July of 2021, joining the Board of Directors at One Circle Foundation.

Prior to starting her coaching and consulting practice, Dr. Russell worked at a variety of well-known non-profit agencies, including the YWCA of the City of New York, the Tampa Y, The Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative of Tampa Bay, and Girls Circle. Dr. Russell has created programs that help youth develop social, emotional, and leadership skills, as well as programs that help families and communities, support healthy youth development. Dr. Russell is dedicated to walking beside families and helping them turn chaos into calm.