Jennifer C. Townsend, M.Ed., is an Educational Consultant and the owner of Universal Access Consulting, LLC. Over the past 2 decades, she has worked in collaboration with schools, families, and other professionals to build collective and individual capacity to enhance practices that support the education of individuals with social emotional learning differences including autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. Jen’s work focuses on using appreciative inquiry techniques and social emotional learning practices paired with universal design for learning. She is the co-author of Social Emotional Engagement Knowledge and Skills (SEE-KS), and has been a contributing author to other works including “Social and Emotional Learning Competencies” for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, A Spectrum of Solutions for Clients with Autism, along with various blogs and articles. Jen shares knowledge in a manner that educators, families, and other community members can learn from and apply specific to their role and skills. She brings to the field of education her experiences in school and home-based programming, social emotional learning and well-being, universal design for learning, trauma-informed care, professional development, leadership, coaching, and mentorship. Jen has a Master's in Education from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, received a postgraduate certification in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Johns Hopkins University, and attended University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s Director of Special Education and Pupil Services program. She has also been an adjunct faculty member at Carroll University and Cardinal Stritch University. Jen Townsend is an active member in the field of education and believes that together we can go beyond just making a difference; we can be the difference.