Jennifer Hakim is a special education teacher specializing in a post-secondary education program where the focus is placed on job skills and life skills for young adults aged 18-21 in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District.  Jen has over 17 years of experience in the area of special education and has worked with students of varying ages and abilities.  Upon completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from The William Paterson University of New Jersey, Jen continued her education and earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the College of Saint Elizabeth.  For the past 10 years, Jen has successfully coordinated a district-wide event for students with special needs for over 600 individuals.  She is passionate about providing a wide array of learning opportunities within the community to strengthen the skills and knowledge of young adults with special needs.  When not in the classroom environment, you can find Jen at the beach, enjoying the outdoors, spending quality time with her husband, 2 children, and all of her family and friends.

Rob Kowalski is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a robust background in supporting individuals across various environments, including home, school, professional, and community settings. He holds a Masters in Education and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With prior experience as a paraprofessional and teacher in both public and private special need schools, Robert has developed a comprehensive expertise in addressing diverse abilities, behaviors, and social-emotional difficulties. Currently, he serves as a BCBA for Parsippany Troy-Hills School District and provides in-home behavioral analysis through Growth Street ABA and Proudmoments ABA for clients ages 2-28+. Outside of his professional endeavors, Rob enjoys exploring new restaurants in small towns and taking long bike rides with friends.

Sarah Nilsen is a dedicated and compassionate professional, known for her unwavering commitment to serving others. With years of experience working in diverse settings, she has developed a strong reputation for being helpful and supportive. Her passion for serving others is reflected in everything she does, whether she’s collaborating with a team or starting new projects. Sarah loves creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive and know that they matter. Sarah holds a BS in Humanities and Social Sciences with a concentration in Social Services from William Paterson University.  Sarah is a Director of an award winning cafe that employs adults with special needs. Throughout her career, she has consistently prioritized understanding and addressing the unique needs of individuals she serves. She has been involved in various outreach programs, volunteer efforts, and community-based initiatives designed to support those with special needs.  Sarah’s dedication to fostering an environment of care, respect, and opportunity has benefited countless individuals. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys traveling, loves dogs, swimming at the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

Jenna Spautz is a full time Transition Coordinator specializing in a program designed for young adults with special needs aged 18-21 who reside in Morris County, NJ. Jenna has devotedly worked in the field of special education for over 15 years, spending the majority of her career working as a teacher of children and adults with special needs ranging from ages 5 to 21. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree in “Special Education” from The University of Scranton, Jenna earned a Masters Degree in “Curriculum and Instruction” from The American College of Education. Jenna possesses a genuine passion for motivating individuals with special needs to continue to develop their life skills and achieve their future employment goals once their entitlement education has been completed.  She recognizes the many barriers that families still encounter upon completion of entitled education programs and thoroughly enjoys connecting their loved ones with new opportunities in our area. Jenna is thrilled to be a part of the Aspiring Abilities team and eager to continue assisting individuals with special needs obtain all of their goals and reach their full potential.