Jennifer Griest Hayes, a practicing yogi for several years, has worked with children her entire life. Having earned her Master of Arts in Education from The Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, Jen taught in various special-education settings and even launched her own multiple-disabilities unit wherein she worked for more than a decade. During her time in the classroom, Jen collaborated with Dr. James Henderson in the writing of Reconceptualizing Curriculum Development: Inspiring and Informing Action that emphasizes the need for teachers serving as leaders in their buildings. Having witnessed elementary-aged children in need of self regulation tools and outlets for their stress, Jen became a certified ChildLight Yoga Instructor and Licensed Yoga 4 Classrooms Trainer, and she initiated movement and mindfulness activities that included Yoga Club as well as Yoga/Mindfulness Week in her building. Especially drawn to students with autism, Jen works as an educational consultant to provide services. Jen has also worked as the Director of Education for the Autism Society of Greater Akron and takes great pride in delivering quality programming to families and individuals on the autism spectrum. Jen has served as a consultant and Implement Lead Trainer for Yoga 4 Classrooms and serves as the Director of Programs and Teacher Development for Zenworks Yoga, a

non-profit organization in the Cleveland area dedicated to bringing yoga and wellness programming to children. In addition, Jen, a 200-hour registered adult yoga teacher and 95-hour registered kids yoga teacher, also taught teen/tween yoga at Grow With Me Yoga while serving as the studio's Director of Programming in prenatal, postnatal, and early development services.