The Potato Team
Getting to know the staff
Kristen Jiosi
Founder & CEO
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Pilates Instruction, Cooking Instructor, Life Coach, Art Teacher, Life Skills Teacher, Nutritionist, Holistic Healing Coach, Somatic Exercises
Kristen has earned her Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration and Master's in Special Education. Kristen has been working in the field with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2013. Combining her passion in this field and for health and wellness, Kristen decided to start her own business serving the special needs community in 2020. Kristen is a healing coach certified in the following areas: Yoga (YTT-200hr), Yin Yoga, Meditation (100-Hr), Art Therapy, Life Coaching, Holistic Nutritionist, Cooking Whole Foods, Somatic Exercises and Pilates. Kristen is also the Author of a Children's book called "The Peaceful Potato". Kristen is a big animal lover and enjoys spending time with her golden retriever, Bailey.
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Renee Kroeker
Yoga Teacher
Renee Kroeker is a private yoga teacher located in Staten Island, NY. She has a diverse professional background that weaves together theatre, social work, and special education. Renee is experienced in working with special needs children, adult stroke survivors, persons with multiple sclerosis, adults on the Autism spectrum, and those recovering from illness or injury; always bringing a sense of calm and gentleness into these unique sessions. Renee received her 200 hour yoga teacher from Breathe For Change in 2017.
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Melissa DeSario
Cooking Instruction / Book Club
Melissa DeSario is one of our cooking instructors. Melissa achieved her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2011 from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, now known as Stockton University. Melissa has over 10 years experience working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2020, Melissa moved to Vermont and is enjoying all that the Green Mountains have to offer. When she is not in the kitchen cooking, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband Jack and their fur babies, Hootie and Lulu.
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Elayna Kong
Life Skills / Tutoring
Hello, my name is Elayna. I am a determined, enthusiastic, sagacious, and highly motivated teacher. As a teacher, my main focus is seeing students grow academically, socially, and emotionally in an atmosphere that is both stimulating and adaptive to their needs.
(Elayna does virtual and in-person services in the Bergen County Area)
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Minal Rosenblum
Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Hi. My name is Minal Rosenblum. I am 21 years old and a graduate of Montclair High School. I have a disability called Down syndrome. My hobbies are art and yoga. I make art because it is relaxing. I love yoga because it makes me feel calm and peaceful and that’s what people see in me. I am a certified yoga teacher and obtained my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Iris Yoga in Montclair. I am a caring yoga teacher. I believe yoga should be inclusive for everyone. I will show you how to be grounded and stay mindful at the same time while we practice yoga. I especially enjoy doing meditation. I look forward to being your yoga teacher and leading you to a peaceful place.
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Jeffrey Spaccavento
Music Teacher, Animation and Art Teacher
Jeffrey Spaccavento is a musician and art teacher that grew up around the Bergen & Hudson county area of New Jersey. Jeffrey has 11 years of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jeffrey recently started his own business (The Music Dude, LLC) helping individuals with special needs, in 2022. Jeffrey has been playing instruments and creating art for over 10 years. He loves helping and teaching others how to create songs, pictures, and videos.
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Regan McKinlay
Cooking Instructor
My name is Regan and I am one of the cooking instructors for Peaceful Potato. I have a bachelors in teaching and a masters in Special Education from Montclair State University, completed school work as a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and working on taking the board exam from Florida Institute of Technology, and received my Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) certification from New Jersey City University. I have worked in the special education field for over 15 years as a paraprofessional, special education teacher, and now an LDTC. In 2022, I ran the Exceptional Individuals Program for Rutherford Recreation for adults with special needs. I love spending time with family and friends and coaching cheerleading. I also enjoy cooking both new and old recipes.
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Addie Taylor
American Sign Language & Dance Teacher
Addie E. Taylor has spent over 15 years working in education, with a focus on supporting individuals with special needs. She has experience in Deaf education and special education, working in both classroom and
training settings to create inclusive environments that promote communication, independence, and growth. Proficient in American Sign Language, Addie values accessibility and meaningful connections. She
also worked as an assistant professor at the University of Texas in Austin, instructing coursework on positive guidance and engagement for language acquisition. While continuing her work as a professional development trainer in education, she is also incorporating work with
adults with exceptionalities, supporting their development, autonomy,and overall well-being.
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Laura Desai
Yoga Teacher
Laura is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor. Laura is additionally certified to teach yin, restore, meditation, senior, kids, prenatal, HIIT, SUP, trauma certified, core conditioning and reiki level 2. When Laura is not practicing yoga or bringing the yoga connection into the greater community, Laura is bringing her 20 plus years of experience in the education sector to her full-time role which she very much enjoys, being a school administrator. When Laura is not working she enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, photography, cross-country skiing, paddle boarding, and reading.
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(Laura services the Princeton, NJ area)
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Kait Coats
Yoga | Pilates | Mindfulness | Dance | Nutrition
Kait is a dedicated movement and mindfulness teacher who helps students find joy in movement, presence in their bodies, and calm in their minds. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance specializing in ballet, she discovered her passion for Pilates and yoga during college and has since expanded her expertise across multiple disciplines, including meditation, yoga nidra, aerial, Zumba, barre, and more. As an ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Kait enjoys sharing her knowledge of health and wellness to support her students' overall well being.
With over 20 years of experience teaching both adults and children (including specialized training for children and seniors), Kait has worked with diverse populations, including individuals with special needs such as autism, amputations, hearing and visual impairments, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is passionate about creating uplifting, accessible, and personalized classes that empower students of all ages to move with confidence and ease.
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Kristen Singh
Yoga Teacher
With 13 years of dedicated yoga practice, I’m a certified 250-Hour Hatha Yoga instructor, specializing in Yin Yoga, Meditation, and Children’s Yoga. Yoga has become a transformative part of my life, and I’m passionate about sharing its benefits with others. I offer both in-person classes in Bergen County, NJ, and virtual sessions to connect with students worldwide.
In addition to my yoga certifications, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Fordham University (2022), and I’m excited to further my studies with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling in the coming year. When I’m not teaching or practicing yoga, you can find me painting, reading, taking long walks, or exploring all that NYC has to offer.
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Andrea Caputo
Life Skills, Art Teacher, Social Media & Marketing Strategist
Andrea is a dedicated educator with a passion for learning. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Rutgers University and her Master’s in Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey. With experience teaching diverse populations—including advanced learners in enrichment programs, English Language Learners, and students with special needs—she believes in creating inclusive, supportive learning environments. Trained in Responsive Classroom, she values social-emotional development as much as academic growth. In addition to her work in education, Andrea is a business owner who helps women grow and scale their online businesses, using her expertise in strategy, digital marketing, and education to support their success.
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