Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift are well known speakers and advocates within the disability rights community, they prefer to think of themselves as modern day storytellers, continuing the long held tradition of using humour and narrative to initiate self-reflection and social change.
Lori Boll, Erin Madonna and Matt Barker discuss all things to do with working in multidisciplinary teams.
Kumaresan Muniandy is a special education teacher with a degree and master’s degree in special education. He has 10 years of special education teaching experience. At Merbok Special Education Vocational School, he trained students in vocational skills to become skilled workers and venture into the field of entrepreneurship. He also contributed in developing transition program modules for career development which was adopted by special education teachers throughout Malaysia. His expertise in the field of career transition allows him to be one of the experts in training special education teachers at Seameo Sen Malaysia. He has been given various awards such as Excellent Service Award, Outstanding Teacher Award, Innovation Teacher Award, Innovative Teacher Award and Special Education Icon Award. He has written 23 research papers related to career transition and advocacy among SEN students, as well as provided much needed training for educators, industry and the community. To see some of his work, click on the link below: https://youtu.be/0oGENqf2mx0
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP has over 25 years of experience in the treatment of executive dysfunction.
Greg O’Connor is a long-time friend of SENIA, who has spoken at many of our conferences and has taught us so much about how we can use technology to best support our students who need it.
Charnin, also known as Ming, attends the International School of Bangkok (ISB) and is a valued member of his grade 3 class. He will be moving to grade 4 this year, has many friends and learns alongside 35 other students. He loves art, especially drawing. He is an outstanding artist and his teammates go to him for guidance and instruction. Having Ming in ISB classes, taught the school to think about differentiation in a whole new way. His presence inspired deeper thought into how students are taught, making a positive impact on everyone. Ming works in partnerships, small groups, and is more confident and proud of his accomplishments because of peer feedback. Being a valued team-member has improved Ming’s ability to follow directions, seek support from teammates and work alongside others on projects. Ming has had a profound impact on classroom culture. Inclusion means that all students develop social, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to get along with others in diverse communities. Ming’s outgoing, kind, funny nature established a network of friends that exemplifies ISB’s values of respect, care, integrity and gratitude.
Dr. Nicole Sparapani is an Assistant Professor at the University of California Davis and a faculty member of the MIND Institute The UC Davis MIND Institute is a collaborative international research center, committed to the awareness, understanding, prevention, and treatment of the challenges associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Dominique Blue is a special educator working in China. Like many of you, she has worked in schools where there is no official special education program.
Sara is originally from Japan and has completed grade one at the International School of Bangkok. Sara is a little ray of sunshine and everyone that meets her or interacts with her is smiling! She is much loved by her peers, adults and anyone that meets her. She loves painting, music and dancing, playing with dolls and the iPad. Sara is quick to smile and laugh with others. She has a great sense of fun. Sara can be determined and when this is focussed on her learning, it is a big help to her. She has had a great year in first grade and has made so much progress and growth with her learning and interaction with others. Sara has had such a positive impact on her peers. It has highlighted the students’ kindness, inclusiveness, caring and understanding of everyone being different and having different needs.