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 is the whole-school Head of Student Support Services at Stonehill International School in Bangalore. She has completed both her Masters of Education in Integrated Curriculum for Special Education as well as her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and K-12 Special Education/ESOL in America. Amanda has also recently completed a PGCE in School Leadership of Mental Health and Wellbeing from Leeds Beckett University in the UK. She has spent the majority of her career in China leading the special education program at Yew Chung International School, Chongqing. Amanda is very interested in supporting and organizing personal and social wellness initiatives for students. She believes that all students learn in their own way and it is up to us as their teachers to support and guide them on their individual learning journeys. 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 atThe 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!
HARYJOT MALHOTRA
Harjyot has a Masters in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Diploma in Special Education and College Counseling from UCLA. Recently she has completed her training to be a CIS evaluator for team visits. At present she Heads the Student Support Dept and Learning Support teacher(Secondary). at Mahindra International School, formerly(Mercedes-Benz International School), where she was a part of the team to develop the school’s learning support program. At the end of the term she will be relocating to Mumbai to join her family and will be rejoining Edubridge International School as a Head of Guidance Counseling & Learning Support Specialist(whole school). She has extensive experience in Special education and has taught a diverse group of students with learning challenges and non-compliant behaviors. She enjoys traveling and is a movie buff.
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.