Abby Bittler, M. Ed

Welcome to Optima Educational College Planning and Coaching! I am glad that you are here and I look forward to meeting you and working with your child.  Every student has unique gifts and talents and it's my job to help them realize that potential and experience success on the academic journey. Ultimately, the goal is not just a college acceptance letter, but finding an environment in which your child can thrive. I work with a very limited  number of students so you can be assured that your student will receive plenty of personalized attention. I am responsive to the needs of both students and parents in the educational process and I want everyone to have less stress and more confidence about their future.

I hold a Master's degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's degree in Business and Spanish from Clemson University. Go Tigers! I spent my junior year abroad at the Spanish American Institute in Sevilla, Spain.  After many years of teaching, tutoring and working in various public and independent schools in Maryland and North Carolina,  I decided to start my own educational consulting business in 2014 and couldn't be happier. Teenagers are my favorite people in the world.

I am a member of  HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association),  SACAC (Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling) an associate member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association)  and a professional member of the  IDA (International Dyslexia Association) 

I am in the process of completing my college planning certificate online from UC-Irvine. When I am not working, I enjoy cooking, reading, playing tennis and practicing yoga as well as being involved at Hope Community Church. I am passionate about holistic healthcare, eating well and the positive effects it can yield on the mind/ body. I am full of ideas and recipes about changing your life through better eating.  My husband, three children and one little dog have called Cary, North Carolina home since 2000.