| Hello my SENIA family,
As I prepare for the upcoming Designing for Inclusion Conference next weekend, a mix of nervous anticipation, excitement, and hope fills my heart. I sincerely wish that everyone able to attend has a truly transformative experience.
If you are unable to join us in the vibrant setting of Vietnam, I encourage all of us to deeply contemplate how we can thoughtfully design our schools and classrooms to foster greater inclusion. How might we create equitable spaces that feel welcoming and celebrate the diversity within our communities? How can our teaching practices and pedagogical approaches be centered in equity, validating the myriad experiences of our students? Moreover, how do we build sustainable systems that provide holistic support, nurturing not just academics but the entire student?
Perhaps you already have one powerful idea that ignites your passion. Excellent! Pursue that with vigor. Or maybe you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities. If so, start small, gather some like-minded colleagues, and allow that spark to grow into a brilliant flame over time.
For those of us fortunate enough to meet in person, let's cherish the inspiring conversations and indelible connections that will undoubtedly arise.
We are a global community united by a common vision; to live in an inclusive world. We are all in this together, striving to create educational environments where every young person feels visible, heard, and celebrated for their true, authentic selves.
The road ahead has challenges, but nothing worth advocating for ever comes easily. Let's boldly step forward and co-create spaces of profound inclusion and belonging. Peace & Inclusion, Lori Boll SENIA International Executive Director Friendly Reminder: We have lots to share in our newsletter. When you see 3 dots, be sure to click "see more" so you don't miss out on anything. |
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Update Your Contact Details |
Have you switched departments? Transferred to a new school? Moved to a new country? Ensure we make the move with you by updating your contact details today! |
SENIA World Changer Award
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Meet Mr. Raymond Weil Garagus, an exceptional inclusion teacher based in Keningau, Sabah. Passionate about empowering students with learning disorders and hearing impairment, he goes above and beyond in his role. In addition to his teaching duties, he is a devoted sports player who spends his time coaching students in track and field events and various team sports. He customizes training programs to cater to each student's unique needs and creatively adapts practices to the limited school space, even in the absence of a running track. Thanks to his dedication, his students have achieved remarkable success in athletics, clinching podium finishes and securing gold medals at district, state, and national levels. Several of his students have seamlessly transitioned into mainstream school championships for non-disabled learners, earning well-deserved medals and garnering widespread acclaim. Notably, Brigette Yasin and Victer Ben, two of his students, were honored with the prestigious 2022 SENIA Student Award and the 2023 SENIA Student Honorary Certificate for their outstanding contributions to athletics.
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Could you be a SENIA World Changer? Think about nominating someone today. |
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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SENIA India successfully hosted its inaugural online event, bringing together educators from various corners of the country. The primary objective of this two-hour session, held on January 20, 2024, from 10 am to 12 pm, was to foster acquaintance among participants and delve into their goals as members of SENIA India.
The session commenced with a focused discussion on the theme, "What Inclusion Looks Like at Your School." |
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Participants enthusiastically shared insights, experiences, and aspirations related to inclusion in their respective educational settings. This dynamic exchange of ideas laid the groundwork for understanding the diverse perspectives and future goals of SENIA India members.
The event marked a significant milestone in building a collaborative community dedicated to promoting inclusive education across India. As SENIA India continues to grow, these insightful conversations will undoubtedly contribute to the collective efforts towards creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments. ~ Harjyot Malhotra |
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In January, SENIA Brazil members were treated to an introduction to UFLI and i-ready for reading interventions and the success of these programs in EABH (Escola Americana Belo Horizonte). Pauline Mott shared the remarkable growth of her students during a multi-year process of rigorous intervention. As participants, we had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss how reading interventions currently occur in our own schools, as well as ways that we could take this new information back to share.
~ Lizzie Hudson |
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For more details about local events, please see the Local Chapter Facebook Group for your area. |
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| SENIA Vietnam: Designing for Inclusion March 1 - 3, 2024 International School Ho Chi Minh City |
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Host Lori Boll speaks with two passionate professionals, Beth Stark, a Universal Design for Learning and Inclusionary Practices Strategist, and Jérémie Rostan, a High School Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator at the International School of Panama, who worked together to create LUDIA which was created as a new kind of entry point and scaffold for developing a Universal Design for Learning mindset, intentionally designing to reduce learning barriers, and discovering the power of Artificial Intelligence.
We learn about their motivation & goal behind creating LUDIA, get introduced to the Four T’s Process, and learn what exactly educators can expect when they connect to LUDIA. |
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Promoting Understanding and Unity through Neurodivergent-Friendly Activities |
Sander van der Velden, G11 student/SENIA Youth Board member recently collaborated with the UNIS Hanoi SCO Neurodiverse Families Support Group to organize a bilingual concert, that demonstrated accessibility practices in collaboration with IMAGO WORK and UNIS Hanoi HS Music teachers and students, as part of the first face-to-face Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) conference held on campus. We invite you to read his full article by following the link below.
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In 2024, six schools, including the International School of Busan and Concordia International School Shanghai, have become SENIA Member schools. Our SENIA Member Mighty Networks Platform now hosts a community of over 500 individuals, offering invaluable resources. Has your school joined our SENIA community? Let's strive to make 2024 a year of Inclusion for as many schools as we can! |
Why should your school become a SENIA Member School? |
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Annual Consultations with our Board Experts |
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| Discounts on in-person events |
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Watching Teachers with Tourette's Syndrome: Brad Cohen Stories
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Brad Cohen is in his 15th year as an Assistant Principal at a school in Georgia USA . He has previously taught 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and been a technology lab teacher. He is a leading advocate for inclusion of people with Tourette’s Syndrome, a public speaker, and has his own Tourette’s charity.
It had been on my list to watch the Hallmark movie (based on his autobiography) Front of the Class. I saw SENIA virtual conference speaker Tim Villegas post an interview with Brad Cohen last month and decided to give a listen first. It’s quite an interview to listen to as Tim got his first job after interviewing with Brad!
In the interview Brad mentioned a second movie was made based on his biography in India called Hichki.
In the podcast, Brad says Front of the Class is about 90% accurate to his life story, except for the timeline of his first year of teaching, which compressed several of his first few years of teaching into one. He said Hichki on the other hand is about 25% accurate.
Watching both movies, Front of the Class is a straightforward biopic. In Hichki, they changed the protagonist to a woman, removed marriage, and added a Dangerous Minds type plot where Naina Mathur (the Brad Cohen role) is given a class of unteachable children from classroom 9… F.
Both movies are a good inquiry into: could a child like Brad Cohen be allowed to succeed in our schools? And if not, why not?
For a syrupy sweet straight story that rings true, Front of the Class is great. However, if you don’t mind subtitles and want an uplifting story mixed with some entertainment, I found myself smiling and feeling the joy at Hichki’s loose retelling and story blending. ~ Reviewed by Jon Springer |
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Level 1 Educator Certification & Coursework |
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Next Course Begins March 11th |
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| This coursework is perfect for the beginning to intermediate level Learning Support teacher or general educators who want to learn more about supporting students with learning differences. We've had parents participate and have gotten good feedback from them as well. 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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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! |
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Want regular updates on SENIA Academy? Join our mailing list.
Bonus: Sign up for the SENIA Academy mailing list and we'll share 6 hands-on tips for using AI as an Educator! |
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Remfrey Educational Consulting |
With Understanding Comes Calm |
We are excited to announce that the Haystack membership will be reopening enrollment on February 19th. The Haystack membership is designed to be accessible and affordable, priced at only $47 per month. As a member, you will have access to a safe space to connect and engage with like-minded 2e adults. Despite its affordability, the Haystack offers a wealth of valuable resources, including expert-led webinars, live Q&A sessions, and a dedicated Discord chat. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from these resources, and we are proud to offer them at such an affordable rate! Enrollment only opens 4 times a year, so be sure to enroll before our waitlist opens
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And have you read Gifted and Distractible, Julie's book on understanding, supporting, and advocating for your twice exceptional child? Check it out! |
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Changing Perspectives specializes in providing customizable services to educators, school leaders, and educational communities to create equitable, empathetic, and inclusive learning environments. They offer a range of services, including curriculum resources, family workshops, professional development training, site visits, and virtual coaching to help integrate different communities and ensure the best possible outcomes. |
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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