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The P&T Team

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Owner, Director

Kristina Quigley, Ed.M., BCBA

Kristina Quigley holds certification as an elementary and special education teacher. Kristina has been working with children, adolescents, and young adults for over 20 years. With experience as a classroom teacher, outdoor play-based learning educator, and behavior analyst, Kristina provides behavioral and academic consultation and training to school districts, families, and community organizations. Kristina has particular interest in supporting learners in developing play and social skills to access interests in a joyful, authentic way.​​

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Lead Teacher

Ann-Marie Kuba, M.A., BCBA

Ann-Marie Kuba holds a certificate in elementary education and special education, being recognized as Teacher of the Year by COSAC (currently Autism NJ). She has worked in the field of special education for over 25 years both as a teacher and behavior analyst. She has been a teacher, early intervention provider, and is currently a behaviorist for a public school in New Jersey. She has presented for school districts, organizations, and parents as well as at AutismNJ, DEC, CEC, and BCASC. Ann-Marie is passionate about working with clients, families, and communities to ensure effective, meaningful, and fun learning is happening.

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Administrative Assistant

Anna Mankowska, CPC, CPB

Anna is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Biller (CPB) through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). She specializes in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) billing. With experience in office management and insurance claim processing, she brings organizational and administrative skills to support office operations and ensuring smooth workflow. She is passionate about helping families to navigate ever changing and complex insurance regulations and providing excellent support to other team members.

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Lead Teacher

Rachel Kraus, M.A., BCBA

Rachel Kraus is a certified elementary and special education teacher with over 18 years of dedicated experience in supporting children with disabilities. Her journey includes a diverse array of roles, from paraprofessional and in-home ABA therapist to her current dual role as an MD teacher and BCBA providing personalized in-home services. Beyond these responsibilities, Rachel spearheads the Special Olympics program at her school, driving compassion and inclusivity through impactful extracurricular initiatives. Her dedication to helping children achieve their fullest potential and her commitment to working closely with families to enrich their dynamics is a true hallmark of her professional approach. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Lead Teacher

Kim Conklin, M.A., BCBA

Kim Conklin holds an elementary certification and special education certification. She has been working as a classroom teacher for over 25 years. Kim currently works in a Public School in New Jersey and has served as a general education teacher and a special education teacher. In addition she works as an in home behaviorist  providing parent training and overseeing home based programs while supervising therapists working with learners. Kim is a dedicated teacher helping children to develop socially and academically to reach their fullest potential.

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Lead Teacher

Alyssa Garnett, M.A.

Alyssa has over 25 years of experience as a special educator. She holds a certification in both special education and elementary education. The majority of her career has been spent in the classroom educating students with multiple disabilities. While teaching at the elementary level, Alyssa lead inclusive after school programs, as well as organizing events to spread awareness throughout her community. Alyssa has also been an active participant in the Unified Sports program in her district since its inception. Alyssa currently works as a teacher for Sayreville’s Bombers Beyond Program which helps adults (18-21) develop skills necessary for independence and employment. Alyssa is dedicated to creating positive environments for learners where differences are celebrated! Her goal is for all learners to feel supported and valued, not only in class, but in their daily lives.

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Lead Teacher

Tracey Carlesimo, Ed.M.

Tracey Carlesimo, Ed.M. is a certified elementary and special education teacher with a master’s degree in education and over 20 years of experience in the field of special education. She specializes in early childhood education, working with children from preschool through grade 3. Throughout her career, Tracey has served as both a classroom teacher and early intervention provider, gaining experience across a wide range of educational settings, including early childhood classrooms that implement the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She has also taught in elementary resource rooms and behavioral disabilities classrooms, developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of early education in the public school system. Tracey is passionate about empowering families and has provided training to help caregivers support their children’s academic growth and social development. Over the past four years, she has focused on teaching social skills to children in New Jersey public elementary schools, a role she finds especially rewarding. Motivated by a genuine love of teaching, Tracey is dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential.

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Lead Teacher

Marissa Nigro

Marissa Nigro holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has over 10 years of teaching experience, including time in public schools. She is passionate about creating a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Marissa loves designing hands-on, play-based experiences that spark curiosity and help children grow both academically and socially. She believes in working closely with families to build strong partnerships, knowing that children thrive when everyone is working together.

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Lead Teacher

Christa Conway

Christa Conway has a B.A. in Communication and Psychology and is a certified teacher in P–3 and Students with Disabilities. For the past seven years, she has loved teaching integrated preschool, where she helps young learners grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Before teaching preschool, she worked one-on-one with students with disabilities in private schools across New Jersey, and she also provides in-home ABA therapy to support children and their families. Christa’s passion for teaching comes from her family. Her eldest nephew, who is on the autism spectrum, has been her greatest inspiration. Watching his journey, alongside her sister’s, showed her the power of patience, love, and education. She carries that inspiration into her classroom every day, believing that there is nothing more special than looking into a child’s eyes and knowing you are making a difference.

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Play In Nature Teacher

Kari Whitehurst

Kari Whitehurst holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. She has been a preschool teacher for 10 years, and is the afterschool enrichment program coordinator at her preschool. During the summers, she can be found at Camp Riverbend as the Nature Specialist. Prior to teaching, she served as an avian wildlife rehabilitator and educator with The Raptor Trust for 10 years. Incorporating STEM and nature education into her classroom and enrichment programs in engaging and creative ways is a top priority of Kari’s.

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Play In Nature Teacher

Julia Torres

Julia Torres is a certified early childhood and special education teacher. Julia has her Masters in Reading Specialization and her Principal and Supervisor certificates. Julia has been teaching for the past 14 years and is passionate about getting children out in nature. Most recently, she taught a Nature STEAM class to 1st and 2nd graders. Julia was inspired by the Nature Preschool at the University of Delaware, her undergrad, and has a particular interest in the positive effects of sensory and outdoor play on children's social and emotional development. You can often find her in the backyard setting up "potion play" for her two sons.

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Play In Nature Teacher

Bonnie Polanco

Bonnie Polanco has a bachelor’s degree from Rutger’s University in Political Science as well as a degree in Elementary Education from Rider University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University. Bonnie was a teacher in Franklin Township and North Brunswick for 8 years before having 3 kids of her own! She wrote curriculum for North Brunswick with a focus on reading and writing lessons. She did extensive professional development on Writing Workshop and enjoys showing children the fun in writing about what you love! Bonnie also did research during her master’s on the value of play based learning in early education. Bonnie believes in getting children outside to enjoy the magic of nature and spends a lot of time creating sensory bins and messy play opportunities for her children.

Kind Words From Our Clients

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Compassionate Approach

We value creating a safe learning environment that values positive rapport and relationship building. We take into consideration the client's history, past experiences, and preferences to support learners.

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Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA uses evidence-based instructional approaches and behavioral principles to achieve meaningful behavior change. ABA is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual.  

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Behavior Skill Training

BST is an evidence-based training model that utilizes a set sequence of instruction to teach skills. BST includes instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. We embed this through play and preferred activities.

Serving Schools & Families Across New Jersey

Blaustein Early Childhood Center at the JCC, Bridgewater - Compass SchoolHouse, Westfield - Primrose School, Mountainside - The Presbyterian School, Westfield

Berkeley Heights - Bridgewater - Chatham - Clark - Colonia - Cranford - Dunellen - Edison - Fanwood - Far Hills - Garwood - Hillsborough - Hillside - Linden - Metuchen - Mountainside - New Providence - North Caldwell - North Plainfield - Piscataway - Rahway - Rockaway - Scotch Plains - Short Hills - South Orange - Springfield - Stirling - Summit - Union - Verona - Westfield - West Orange - Wayne - Whitehouse Station

Hello from our Co-Founders

Kristina Quigley and Ann-Marie Kuba have spent numerous years working closely to develop joyful, fun social and play skill programming for local schools. Play And Talk With Us was founded in 2023 as a way of extending class options to even more children and families in the local community.

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