Terence Blackwell is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, permanently licensed school principal (NY State Education Dept.) and Certified Addictions Specialist. Mr. Blackwell is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, including the Wharton School of Business, Entrepreneurial Studies Division.

Beginning as a direct care staff for developmentally disabled adults in Manhattan, Mr. Blackwell moved into working with severely impaired persons exhibiting behavioral disorders in northern N.J. under the supervision of Dr. Gregg Berstch. Mr. Blackwell directed a large Division of a national non-profit agency in NYC and created a best practices pre-school special education and Early Intervention program in the South Bronx.  (In 1996, the Volunteers of America River Avenue School was recognized as a standard of excellence and awarded "one of the best preschools in the state of New York" by the State Education Department. This designation was given to only 5 schools statewide based on a survey completed by NYSED in 1995).

In 1992, Mr. Blackwell functioned as a diplomat for the U.S. State Department to the Soviet Union for behavioral practice of substance abuse treatment. Since then, Mr. Blackwell is a parent to three sons, two affected by ASD. (Asperger’s). Terence sought (BCBA) Board Certification in Behavior Analysis on viewing demonstration of the generalization of Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Through consultation with the pre-eminent practitioner of ABA-VB method Dr. Vincent Carbone, Terence implemented a Verbal Behavior with providers of services for adults in NJ as well as in a State approved Early Intervention and Special Education program in NY.

* Masters of Science School Psychology K-12

* Certification School Counseling Elementary

* Bachelor of Arts Psychology

* Received credits in “Education of Children and Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome

* New York Certified School Psychologist

* Pennsylvania Certified School Psychologist

* Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst

Co-author of one of only 4 research articles presented for publication in ABA International on Verbal Behavior, with Dr. Vincent Carbone in 2006

Whitney Pubylski, BCaBA

Whitney Pubylski graduated from Rutgers College with a BA in Spanish and a BA in Art History. Following graduation, she joined the Peace Corps as a member of the first group of Peace Corps volunteers to enter Peru since the late 1970s. As a health volunteer in a small Andean village, Whitney worked closely with a Mother’s Club and the maximum security prison to promote healthy eating, good hygiene and preventative health care practices. Working with an international non-profit organization Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Peace Corps health volunteers were responsible for training regional ADRA staff on how to present information to a target audience of illiterate mothers. She also started an after school program in one of the local elementary schools that provided tutoring in math and language arts.

After returning from Peace Corps, Whitney began working with severely disabled children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the public school setting. She began working with VBI in 2006 as a behavior analyst. She is responsible for training public school staff in the Verbal Behavior methodology to improve the education of children affected by ASD. She is currently enrolled in a program to earn credits towards her certification in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Kathleen Huber

Kathleen loves working with children and was first drawn to special education while researching ADHD when her son was diagnosed twelve years ago. Since then, she has worked in several areas of special education, but specifically drawn to autism. The pride in a child's face, after completing a program or task, is mirrored in hers. To her the excitement is incredible!

Kathleen continually strives to improve her knowledgebase and skillset in the VBA field by attending conferences and workshops. Kathleen Huber currently works as a Behavior Consultant Associate for the Verbal Behavior Institute. Her role at VBI includes:

• Working with school districts in VB classrooms, with teachers and staff to implement the verbal behavior program.
• Presenting workshops to teachers, staff and parents in VB teachings and procedures.

* Kathleen also works as a Home Instructor for VBI, teaching personalized VB program and behavior management to the students and family in the home.

* From 2003-2007, Ms. Huber worked at Paraprofessional, Bayshore Jointure Commission as an Instructional aide in a class of six autistic children. Her accomplishments include:

• Using an instructional plan devised for individual students using discrete trial and/or verbal behavior methods.
• Planning and implementing activities for children involving: music, gross motor, fine motor, art and tactile issues.
• Assisting with behavioral intervention and programming issues
• Assisting with speech, occupational and physical therapists
• Attending distinct in-services
• Starting a sibling group program, helping siblings learn how to interact and understand their autistic brother or sister.

Angela Gargano
I have been working with children since 1987. I began as a teacher’s assistant at Middletown School District working in the Pre-School Handicapped Program.In 1993 to 2005 was a Pre-K teacher at Little Chief Learning Station, a NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited school. My responsibilities were to write lesson plans & execute appropriate activities, also to observe, evaluate, and monitor each child’s individualized goals for an inclusion setting.

In September of 2005 began working at Holmdel School District as a Paraprofessional for children with Autism. My responsibilities are to work with individual students to provide them with physical assistance, safety, academic, and emotional support as need to gain optimum benefit from their placement in the school environment. I have earned a Child Care Career Development Certificate from Brookdale Community College, along with a Child Development Associate from the Council for Professional Recognition. In order to improve and keep abreast of new developments in the field of VBA I enjoy attending both district held and independently held conferences and workshops.  I feel that working with children is one of the most rewarding things I do.

Colleen Ahrens
Collen Ahrens received undergraduate degree from Georgian Court University Lakewood, NJ. in History
After a personal experience with a child with Cerebral Palsy decided to focus attention towards Special Education. After earning Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certificate began teaching students with severe physical and cognitive disabilities where interest in ABA sparked While receiving Master’s in Education at College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ began training in ABA. After receiving M.A. Ed began teaching graduate education students at the College of St. Elizabeth in assitive technology strategies to enhance learning of MD students and increase reading and writing in LD students. Currently enrolled in Penn St ABA certification program. Currently providing in class support and verbal behavior training in the classroom as well in home VB instruction.

Darcy Savin
Darcy Savin is a graduate of Kean University with a Bachelors of Arts in Special Education and a minor in Psychology. She holds New Jersey certifications as Teacher of the Handicapped and Teacher of Nursery School. Darcy has been working in the public school system for twenty five years, initially as a preschool disabled teacher and then as a full day preschool teacher for children with autism. She presents workshops to teachers, staff and parents in VB teachings and procedures. Darcy provides home ABA therapy for children on the spectrum. She became a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst after completing graduate level course work at Saint Cloud University.

Alison Dever
Alison Dever began her love and journey working with children with autism spectrum disorders over 10 years ago.   She worked on home teams through early intervention services in South Florida.   This is where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exceptional Student Education and became a certified special education teacher.  After returning to New Jersey, Alison worked at as data analyst at the Princeton Child Development Institute.  With her knowledge of the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, she decided to become a special education teacher in the public school system.  Alison has taught preschool disabilities and self-contained autism classrooms on all elementary levels.  In most recent years, Alison has obtained certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and has completed her Master’s degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Disabilities from Nova Southeastern University.   Over the last 4 years,  Alison has been providing behavioral consultation throughout the state of New Jersey.  She began her consultant role at Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, Douglass Outreach.  Her work experience has included private schools, public schools, and behavior support agencies.  Alison has a strong academic background in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis and Skinner’s analysis of Verbal behavior.  Her skills have ranged from direct instruction with students, training staff, writing behavior intervention plans, and completing Functional Behavior Assessments.   Alison is a lifetime learner.  She continues to attend professional development opportunities and studies to obtain her certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, LDT-C.