NAMASTE
SENIA India was created in 2018 to promote the values of SENIA in India. It is a group of educators, professionals and parents in India working together to support individuals with special or additional learning needs.
MEET THE SENIA INDIA BOARD MEMBERS
AMANDA DAYAL
Amanda serves as the Head of Student Support Services at an international school in Bangalore, India. She holds a Master’s of Education in Integrated Curriculum for Special Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and K-12 Special Education/ESOL, both earned in the United States. She also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in School Leadership of Mental Health and Wellbeing from Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Special Education. Prior to her current role, Amanda led the special education program at an international school in Chongqing, China. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for students with additional needs, striving to create inclusive environments where every learner has equitable access to high-quality education. She firmly believes that all students learn in their own way and that it is the responsibility of educators to guide and nurture each individual’s unique learning journey. In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
SARIKA UMAMAHESH
Sarika is the Learning Centre (Special Education Needs section) Coordinator at Bangalore International School (BIS). She holds a master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Abnormal Psychology and Special Education. Sarika began her career as a special educator at The Shri Ram School, New Delhi; she joined BIS in 2003 and was instrumental in establishing the Learning Centre. She taught the Cambridge AS level Psychology course for many years and was the Accreditation Coordinator at the school as well. Sarika is passionate about inclusive education and strives towards equitable access for all learners. She follows a regular fitness schedule and enjoys dancing and traveling; she has a weakness for coffee and dark chocolate!
HARJYOT MALHOTRA
Harjyot holds a Master’s degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, along with a Diploma in Special Education and College Counseling from UCLA. She currently serves as the Head of the Student Success Department and EAL at Oberoi International School (OGC Campus – Secondary). Harjyot brings extensive experience in inclusive education and school counseling, having worked with a diverse range of students across various educational needs. Her work includes leading special education programs, coordinating high-ability learner projects, and conducting sessions on inclusion and student well-being. In addition to all of the above, Harjyot is also a team evaluator for the Council of International Schools (CIS), contributing her expertise to the evaluation and improvement of international education standards.
JENNY BAUTISTA
Jenny is from the Philippines and is currently a Primary Learning Support teacher at Stonehill International School in Bangalore. She has more than 20 years of experience in special education focused on learning disabilities. Before coming to India in August 2018, she was a K-12 learning support teacher for international schools in the Philippines and China. Jenny has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a Major in Special Education from the University of the Philippines. She has also completed units for a Masters degree in Special Education. Jenny is a trained level 1 educational therapist with the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD). She highly admires the resiliency and strength of children with learning needs and strongly believes in working closely with parents, teachers, and other specialists to ensure the progress and success of these learners. Jenny loves reading and travelling to explore and experience different cultures. She has immensely enjoyed her stay in China and India and deeply appreciates their rich cultural heritage and wonderful varied landscapes.
ANITA CHURCHVILLE
Anita is an educational consultant and founder of the HAGT Learners Collaborative. She conducts professional development workshops, comprehensive school audits, and provides courses and ongoing coaching for school leaders and faculty at a number of private international schools with European and American curricula. She previously coordinated special education programs and created gifted education programs at the American School of Bombay, the American School of Doha, and Academia Cotopaxi. Prior to relocating abroad, Anita supported more than a dozen schools in her role as a program specialist in the Los Angeles Unified School District in California. She has a master’s degree in special and gifted education, a K-12 principal’s license, certification as an educational diagnostician, certification as an instructional coach, and she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. In addition to presenting regularly at regional and worldwide educational conferences, Anita serves as a New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation school visitor and as a professional mentor for the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC).
DIANA SOULE
Diana Soule holds a Masters in Exceptional Student Education and a Bachelors in Elementary Education. She has 16 years of experience as a classroom teacher, support teacher, gifted teacher, and learning coach. She has extensive experience in both classroom teaching and learning support, effectively scaffolding instruction for students with mild to moderate needs and those with advanced abilities. She has taught in schools in the USA, Mumbai, India, and Tokyo, Japan. She is currently a high school learning coach at the American School of Bombay. Guided by a philosophy integrating neuroscience, evidence-based research, and Social Emotional Learning, Diana is committed to fostering agency, self-awareness, executive functioning skills, and independence. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys cycling, being in nature, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends and family.