Dear SENIA-Beijing,
Welcome to the 2020 -2021 academic year. We warmly welcome all teachers, specialist, parents, and community members. I would firstly like to extend extreme gratitude once again to the previous board members for all they have done and accomplished in making SENIA-Beijing what it is today. This leads into the first items I would like to share, our mission and vision from our parent organization.
Mission: The Special Education Network Inclusion Association (SENIA) is an association of educators, professionals, and parents whose mission is to advocate for and provide resources/supports for differently abled individuals.
Vision: To live in an inclusive world where every individual is supported, resources are accessible, potential is maximized, and action is inspired.
With that being said, I would like to introduce you to the current board with their positions:
- James Rupasinha, Secretary and External Expertise Chair
- Faith Peik Hwa Ng, Marketing Chair
- Petra Zerovnik, Membership Chair
- Janice Bareng-Pineda, Event Chair
- Juliane Karlsson, Media Chair
- Gerald Anthony, Chairman
In the upcoming year, the SENIA-Beijing board has many things in store its members. This will be a year of enrichment of previous resources as well as a few firsts. Our communication platforms such as our website and WeChat group will be upgraded. Our external outreach has also enhanced with a dedicated Marketing Chair. The external expertise directory is now available in several formats with the most up to date listings and tips on how to select the appropriate specialist. The final thing I will mention for now is in the community we will continue to develop meaningful partnerships with our local counterparts through the Local Integration of Needs and Knowledge (L.I.N.K) program.
The Board also will have serval first this year. SENIA-Beijing will be involved in its first ever virtual Fall Conference. In preparations leading up to the conference, there will be a call for workshop presenters and a call to the community organizations who wish to be one of the conference sponsors. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please connect with us through our communication platforms to receive information on this great professional development and networking opportunity.
In these seasons of change, we hope everyone is well and in good health. We look forward to our future cooperation and communication. Have a great year!
Regards,
Dr. Gerald Anthony
Chairman, On Behalf of the SENIA-Beijing Board
Dr. Gerald W. Anthony
Dr. Gerald W. Anthony has been in China since 2002, working as an educator and counselor. He has a doctorate degree in counseling, K-12 educational leadership certification, and a wide range of experiences in the areas of CBT, autism, and language.
Gerald brings over 18-years of education and leadership experience to the SENIA-Beijing board. Currently he serves as Chair of SENIA-Beijing and in the past served as the Co-Chair of Membership and Local Liaison for SENIA-Beijing.
Petra Zerovnik
Petra Zerovnik, originally, from Slovenia, has studied, lived, and worked overseas for over 26 years. She has been an English Language Acquisition and Special Education teacher and Department Leader in the USA, Austria, Belgium, and now in China. She enjoys spending time and traveling with her family learning about various cultures, reading, theatre, movies, swimming and skiing. She earned her Master’s in Education and has over 10 years of experience with the IB PYP, MYP, and DP programs. She is an avid advocate for inclusion and equal opportunities for all students.
Juliane Karlsson
Juliane Karlsson has worked over 20 years in education. Her passion for developing better strategies to promote inclusive environments crosses both public and private spaces. She has a degree in education and masters in socio-psychology.
As a teacher, she collaborated in the creation of public policies for schools, courses for child counsellors across the Amazon, and also acts as special needs professional. Her book narrates the children perspective of participation at school. Nowadays, she is the media coordinator of the SENIA-Beijing and is the editor of its newsletter.
Janice Bareng-Pineda
Janice Bareng-Pineda is a Learning Support teacher/coordinator at Harrow School Beijing for eight years up to the present. Even before she joined Harrow, she had supported students with special needs. She believes that all students, with different abilities or background, should be included in a nurturing and understanding learning environment.
She graduated with AB English (Language and Literature) then she garnered education units for a teaching license, certified in Special Education and PGCEi from the University of Nottingham, UK.
James Rupasinha
James Rupasinha is an educational and child psychologist, who is continually inspired by the patience and dedication he observes in his teaching and counselling colleagues. His background is with the British government, evaluating schools‘ provision for under-achieving students and those with high-level safeguarding needs. In and out of China since 2007, James has been with Harrow Beijing since 2016 and he has over a decade’s worth of experience in building capacity and resilience within Chinese and British schools.
Faith Peik Hwa Ng
Faith Peik Hwa Ng is a consultant trainer and clinical supervisor in APAC (education, health and social care). Specialized in child speech, language, communication and feeding development (0-21 years). Experienced in bilingual English-Mandarin evaluation and therapy, telespeech consultation, parent coaching and teacher training accreditation. Competent in business strategy, evidence-based practice and family-centered care.
Special Education Network and Inclusion Association(SENIA)-Beijing brings you to what’s happening around to keep you updated on upcoming events, conferences, seminars/webinars and workshops this year!
SENIA Events
Come visit SENIA-Beijing at the Jing Kids International School Expo Beijing
April 17, 2021, 10am – 5:30pm. Scan the QR code below for details.
BEST BUDDIES FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMS
February 1-28, 2021
BEST BUDDIES PENPALS
Hosted By SENIA-Beijing
See the Chinese article here: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/QoJE7NZKdRSpMPMbiWlqBA
December 4-6, 2020
SENIA 2020 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE BRIDGING THE GAP
Hosted By Chadwick International School, Incheon, South Korea
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
SENIA is virtual, so let’s use this opportunity to bridge the gap between general education and special education.This year’s conference brings together experts in the fields of Behavior, Communication, English as an Additional Language, Inclusion, and Executive Functions. Excited about this conference, but worried you won’t be able to network? Have no fear. Local chapters are currently planning Watch Parties and other events where you can meet in person.For those of us who are strictly virtual, join an interest-based virtual “Meet-Up.” Or create one on your own.Let’s build bridges with our colleagues and come together for the benefit of all our students.
Register here: https://seniaconference.org
SENIA Partner Events
ASD
Upcoming conferences in October and 2021
INTERNATIONAL MTSS ONLINE FORUM SERIES
Jan 28-30, 2021
April 22-24, 2021
Other Helpful Resources
https://www.edutopia.org/article/stress-schools-increasing-simple-strategies-stay-calm
Amy Nielsen- BIG ABILITIES PODCAST
https://sway.office.com/PI8nRu2mSHXFdg5Z#content=dRvE5PipoV9Rlh
https://uiausa.org/inventor-resources/
Editor: Media Chair, Juliane Karlsson
The SENIA-Beijing Newsletter February 2021 is out! See the latest happenings, upcoming events, book reviews, etc. via the link below.
SENIA-Beijing Post-Conference Landing Page
Testimonials
“Actionable takeaways and a wonderful convening of individuals passionate about helping kids with learning differences!”
“This conference highlighted the importance of having these conferences.”
Sponsored By:
Conference Feedback Survey
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Conference Certificate
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We look forward to seeing you next academic year.
Conference Content Library
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Would you consider supporting SENIA financially? Our free or low cost conferences and resources are maintained by the support of our members and sponsors. All donations can get a tax-deductible invoice upon request. Contact us for more details.
Scholarships and Awards
Do you know an outstanding student or professional that has made a lasting impact in the area of inclusion? Nominate them for the SENIA Student Award or SENIA World Changer Award. Click here to find out more and apply.