| Hello SENIA peeps!
Last week, we took our son Braden to his ski lessons at Oregon Adaptive Sports, an incredible non-profit organization that offers year-round adaptive sports for people with disabilities in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Braden always enjoys these lessons immensely. As anyone who has skied knows, putting on ski boots is a challenging process. For over 20 years, we've been putting on Braden's ski boots for him – opening the boots, pushing his feet in, and buckling each buckle. That is, until last week.
During the lesson, Braden's instructor, Matt, asked us a thought-provoking question: "Why isn't Braden putting on his own boots?" It was a valid point – why weren't we allowing him to do it himself? Matt then sat with Braden and taught him each step of the boot-donning process. It was clear that Braden appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate his independence and put on his own boots. As an educator, I firmly believe in presuming competence in our students. However, I realized that I had failed to extend the same presumption to my own son. I'm grateful to Matt for presuming Braden's competence and teaching him this new skill, while also teaching us a valuable lesson.
Be sure to check out a fabulous video, “Assume That I Can,” which came out recently in the What We Are Watching Section of this newsletter as it perfectly exemplifies this concept of presumed competence.
Presuming competence challenges us to look beyond perceived limitations and see the inherent capabilities within every individual. By presuming competence, we send a powerful message of belief, respect, and high expectations, empowering others to rise to the occasion and surprise us with their abilities. Whether in the classroom, at home, or in our daily interactions, presuming competence is a catalyst for personal growth, fostering resilience, self-advocacy, and a sense of dignity. It reminds us that every person has something valuable to contribute, and that our role is to create environments that nurture and celebrate those unique strengths. In the end, presuming competence is not just a teaching strategy – it's a way of life that uplifts humanity and unlocks our collective potential. And, in our case, makes things much easier for us the next time we take Braden skiing!
Peace & Inclusion, Lori Boll SENIA International Executive Director
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SENIA Outreach Scholarship |
The SENIA Outreach Scholarship honors an individual or group who has a project with a financial need that will have a measurable impact in helping to promote inclusion in a current SENIA community. It celebrates the achievements of neurodiverse and disabled individuals, encourages awareness of the abilities and aspirations of neurodiverse and disabled individuals, and advocates for a more inclusive world. |
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Celebrating Success: SENIA at the UNESCO Global Inclusive Schools Forum 2024 |
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SENIA International recently participated in the prestigious Global Inclusive Schools Forum, held on March 14-15, 2024, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. Tracing its origins back over three decades to the groundbreaking 1994 Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education, this conference focused on the pivotal theme "From Practitioners to Policymakers," illuminating the path toward a more inclusive educational landscape.
The forum brought together a diverse array of individuals from around the world, including educators, policymakers, parents, and advocates, to engage in substantive discussions on inclusive practices in schools. Through high-level roundtables, breakout sessions, think tanks, and regional policy discussions, participants transcended geographical boundaries, fostering global collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Not only did the conference showcase the principles of inclusivity, but it also facilitated broader participation and cross-pollination of ideas. Among the esteemed delegates were representatives from SENIA-Beijing, including Ms. Janice Bareng-Pineda, Events Chair of SENIA-Beijing, and Dr. Christin Topper, a distinguished faculty member from Western Academy of Beijing and a SENIA-Beijing member. Their diverse expertise enriched the discourse, underscoring the global commitment to inclusive education. Furthermore, Dr. Gerald Anthony, Chairman of SENIA-Beijing and Director of Awards and Scholarships at SENIA International, made invaluable contributions to the conference.
SENIA International was well-represented through two delegations. The first delegation was led by Mr. Jon Springer, Executive Facilitator of the Parents Alliance for Inclusion, who facilitated the insightful Parent Advocacy for Inclusion Think Tank Session. This session brought together parents, specialists, and policymakers to explore strategies for promoting inclusion.
The second delegation was the Pan-Asia Committee, tasked with discussing regional needs and formulating action plans. This session was led by Jayne Nadarajoo, Founding Director at the ASPIRE Centre for Inclusive Education and Training, and from SENIA-Singapore, as well as Ms. Jane Clark from the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP). During the Committee meeting, Dr. Gerald Anthony presented on "School Culture and Social Acceptance," one of the three key areas of discussion. The other two areas were "SEN Curriculum Design and Assessments," presented by Ms. Sunila Athley and Professor Tessie Tapiador-Sagadraca, and "School Policies," led by Dr. Kala Parasuram and Edizon A. Fermin.
A highlight of the forum was the prestigious 2024 Global Inclusion Awards, which recognized individuals who have made exemplary contributions to inclusive education. Dr. Gerald Anthony, representing SENIA International, and Dr. Christin Topper, representing Western Academy of Beijing, were honored for their outstanding efforts in promoting inclusivity in education.
Throughout the forum, various themes were explored, including curriculum adaptations and policy frameworks, all aimed at fostering inclusivity in educational settings. Engaging panel discussions, interactive workshops, and insightful keynote addresses sparked transformative conversations and generated actionable strategies for inclusive practices. The forum not only celebrated achievements but also inspired future endeavors, equipping participants with renewed energy, insights, and strategies to promote inclusivity in their respective spheres. The collaborative spirit fostered during the forum is poised to transcend boundaries, igniting a global movement toward inclusive education.
SENIA's involvement in this prestigious global forum underscores its unwavering commitment to advancing inclusive education practices worldwide. Through its active participation and the recognition bestowed upon its representatives, SENIA continues to be a driving force in shaping policies, fostering dialogue, and empowering educators, parents, and advocates to create truly inclusive learning environments that embrace diversity and provide equal opportunities for all students.
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It was great to meet new members in Ho Chi Minh City before spring break and in time for Neurodiversity Week! We had a small intimate gathering on March 23rd, where we talked about the importance of vetting specialist schools, finding reputable diagnostic services, and teacher training. We made new connections and came up with ideas for the next chapter event in HCMC.
~ By Melanie Casul |
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For more details about local events, please see our events webpage or your Local Chapter Facebook Group or Instagram pages. |
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Host Lori Boll speaks with Kevin Bartlett. Kevin is the founding director of the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC), one of SENIA’s partner organizations. CGC is a learning ecosystem used by schools in 20 countries. Kevin has led schools in Tanzania, Austria, Namibia and Belgium. He was a trainer for the PTC, co-author of the ACE accreditation protocol for NEASC, initiator of the IB PYP and co-founder of The Next Frontier Inclusion. He was AAIE International Superintendent of the Year (2014) and was inducted into the AAIE Hall of Fame. Kevin and Lori speak about his passion for inclusion, barriers to it, and how schools can embed it in a practical manner and create systems that include.
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Annual Consultations with our Board Experts |
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We love this video which perfectly exemplifies the concept of presumed competence. Enjoy! |
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Teaching Assistant Certification |
Are you ready to supercharge your impact in the classroom? Step into the world of SENIA's Teaching Assistant Certification Course!
Unleash your passion for empowering students and unlock a treasure trove of knowledge and skills. Delve into the fascinating history of inclusive practices, unravel the mysteries of educational diagnoses, and become a pro at data collection and confidentiality. Master the art of behavior management, discover the secret sauce for positive transitions and routines, and become a friendship-building guru. Are you up for the challenge? Join the SENIA Teaching Assistant Certification Course and embark on an unforgettable learning adventure. Let's make a lasting impact in the lives of our amazing students! |
Level One Educator Certification Next course begins April 8th |
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| This coursework is perfect for the beginning to intermediate level Learning Support teachers or general educators who want to learn more about supporting students with learning differences. Take one course or all six. Educators who take all six earn a SENIA Level One Educator certification. Sign up for all 6 courses now and get one course free. |
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NEW: Level Two Certification |
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Remfrey Educational Consulting |
Remfrey Educational Consulting leads the way in fostering disability inclusive learning environments through expert professional development and comprehensive school audits. |
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Accessibility notice:
At SENIA, we are working towards making all of our spaces and materials more accessible for all of our community. Should you require any accommodations to ensure resources or events are fully accessible to you, or if you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Hannah Peters at hannah@seniainternational.org.
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