Laura Austin
Head of Inclusion at OYIS
Celebrating Our Teachers: 5 Educators Earn SENIA Level 1 Certification!
We are excited to announce that five of our dedicated teachers have recently completed their SENIA International Level 1 Educator Certification! SENIA is an international organization dedicated to advocating for students with learning differences and disabilities. Part of their outreach is developing teacher capacity through conferences, academy courses and sharing resources.This achievement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide the best possible support for all students. Five key members of our Inclusion Team, Laura Austin, Thomas Hammerlund, Kelsi Nagai, Danielle Shibano and Sarah Son, worked through six courses together to earn their SENIA Certification.
Our teachers participated in a series of six intensive courses over the past few months, covering the following key areas:
- Understanding Behavior
- Universal Supports
- Supporting the Whole Child
- Developing Individualized Learning Plans
- Implementing Inclusion Systems
- Learning Differences and Diagnosed Learning Disabilities
Each course lasted three weeks, and the teachers completed their work during the evenings and weekends, showcasing their commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. By working through the certification process as a team, our Inclusion department now operates with a stronger, unified understanding of how to support students across a wide range of needs.
Having five educators certified by SENIA brings immediate benefits to our school community. Their shared expertise in creating individualized learning plans, applying universal supports, and understanding student behavior equips them to better collaborate with classroom teachers and families. More importantly, this certification empowers them to implement inclusive systems that will help every child in our school reach their full potential, regardless of learning differences or challenges.
This achievement not only strengthens our Inclusion team but also enriches our entire school environment. With a common language and framework for understanding learning differences, these teachers are better equipped to support all students, ensuring that every learner receives the care and attention they deserve.
We are incredibly proud of our teachers’ hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to make in our inclusive school community!
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