Dear SENIA-Beijing,
We warmly welcome all teachers, specialist, parents, plus both the local and greater community. As SENIA-Beijing continues, I cannot help but extend great thanks to previous board members for all they have done and accomplished in making SENIA-Beijing what it is continues to be today allowing us to keep our mission and vision.
Mission: SENIA champions inclusion by empowering our global community to connect, learn, and advocate for one another.
Vision: To live in an inclusive world.
I would like to introduce you to the 2026 – 2027 SENIA-Beijing board with their positions:
- Janice Bareng-Pineda, Event Chair
- Kelsie Fitzgerald, Membership Chair
- Suzanne Robare, Secretary
- Juliane Karlsson, Media Chair
- James Rupasinha, External Expertise Chair
- Ruth Ren, School Representative Chair
- Juliet Spencer, Marketing and Communications Chair
- Gerald Anthony, Treasurer, Chairman Emeritus
- Meera Raghu, Chairperson
Regards,
Dr. Gerald Anthony
Treasurer, Chairman Emeritus, On Behalf of the SENIA-Beijing Board

Meera Raghu
Meera Raghu is an innovative special education professional with over 18 years of experience empowering teachers to support students with diverse learning needs. Before transitioning to education, Meera gained valuable experience in public relations and journalism, where she spent significant time working on education and social awareness initiatives.
Driven by a passion for inclusion and emotional/social well-being, Meera brings comprehensive expertise spanning learning disabilities management, multi-sensory curriculum design, MTSS framework development, drafting inclusion policies, and managing student support services. As an experienced Dyslexia Therapist, and inclusion expert, she specializes in language learning, reading/writing difficulties, and behavior management.
Meera , currently working at Keystone Academy, Beijing, has worked extensively in international schools, organizing workshops and presenting at various platforms, including as a presenter and active member of SENIA. Skilled at guiding collaborative teams, she excels at aligning stakeholders on student-centered goals, enabling her to provide tailored scaffolding that unlocks each learner’s full potential. Her passion for inclusive practices has led her to champion Universal Design for Learning principles, driving transformative change through her insights.
Beyond her specialized training, Meera continually refines her craft through extensive professional development, fueling her ability to adapt teaching materials, foster creativity, and boost student engagement - empowering learners to become lifelong achievers. When not advocating for her students, Meera enjoys spending time with family, reading, cooking, and traveling.

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.

Suzanne Robare
Suzanne Robare has been serving the educational community of Beijing since 1992 in various capacities, including local and international schools, in television, and in publishing. She holds two Master’s degrees in Education (Special Ed/EAL and Teacher Training) with post graduate studies in linguistics, Reading Recovery, and Educational Leadership. Her doctoral studies as an Educational Psychologist were derailed by COVID but she will be continuing to work towards a PhD with a focus on Reading and Literacy.

Kelsie Fitzgerald
Kelsie Fitzgerald, originally from Ireland, has been residing in Beijing since 2019 and has embraced the city as her second home. Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 27, Kelsie’s journey towards understanding her neurodivergent brain has fueled her passion for advocacy and education. She holds a degree in Film and Media from University College Cork and recently earned her iPGCE from the University of Derby in 2024.
As the Membership Chair of SENIA-Beijing, Kelsie plays a vital role in fostering a supportive and inclusive community. She manages the SENIA-Beijing WeChat group, where she brings people together, helps members connect with resources, and ensures they find the support they need. Her dedication to community building is reflected in her efforts to create a space where everyone feels welcome and empowered.
In her ESL classroom, Kelsie strives to integrate inclusive teaching practices, focusing on building students’ confidence through creativity and project-based learning. She is particularly passionate about empowering students of all abilities, regardless of their English proficiency, and believes in the power of creativity as a universal language.
Outside of the classroom, Kelsie has diverse interests and is actively involved in community building. She is also rekindling her love for filmmaking, finding joy in the creative process.

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 dedicated SENCO and passionate advocate for inclusive education, with over a decade of experience as a Learning Support Teacher. She is deeply committed to building inclusive school cultures that value diversity, equity, and belonging for all learners. She is currently the Head of Learning Support in the Lower School at Harrow International School of Beijing.
Janice currently serves as the Events Chair of SENIA-Beijing, where she leads professional learning and community-building initiatives that support educators and families. She is also the National Chair for China of the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), contributing to global dialogue and collaboration around best practices in inclusion.
In her school community, Janice organizes and facilitates the SENIA Youth Best Buddies Club every Friday at Harrow International School Beijing, creating meaningful opportunities for student leadership, peer connection, and authentic inclusion. Through her teaching, leadership, and advocacy work, Janice continues to champion inclusive practices that empower students, educators, and communities alike.

Juliet Spencer
Juliet Spencer is an educator, researcher, and inclusion advocate based in Beijing. She currently serves as Marketing & Communications Chair for SENIA, Beijing, where she leads brand communication and community engagement, coordinates bilingual content and cross-cultural events, and promotes awareness of special education and inclusion across China. Her earlier professional experience spans higher education teaching, translation, and corporate administration, giving her a strong foundation in communication, cross-cultural coordination, and educational support.
Juliet holds a MSc in Psychology. She has completed a University Teaching License, clinical counseling psychology training. Her research interests focus on ADHD, family parenting, executive function, and children’s social-cognitive development. With a bilingual and cross-cultural background, she is committed to bridging international perspectives with local cultural sensitivity to support inclusive schools and Chinese families.

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.

Ruth Ren
Ruth Ren serves as the Student Support and Literacy Coordinator at AISB-Hope International. She discovered her passion for special education in 2021 while pursuing her master’s degree in education. Since then, Ruth has been committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment, empowering students to pursue their dreams regardless of background or ability. She actively advocates for deepening the collaboration between special education and mainstream teachers, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive.
As the School Representative Coordinator of SENIA-Beijing, Stacy hopes to nurture a more vibrant, inclusive community that creates safe, growth-oriented spaces for schools, practitioners, family members, and the community to better share resources, best practices, and stories of success!
SENIA Beijing External Expertise Directory
Beijing External Expertise Directory – April 2026
Various Assessment Resources in English and Chinese
Psychometric properties autism spectrum
TRIAD-Social-Skills-Assessment-EN
Spectrum’s Guide to Autism
Spectrum’s Guide to Autism 2020
Cerebral Palsy/Chronic Brain Injury
SENIA-Beijing brings you to what’s happening around to keep you updated on upcoming events, conferences, seminars/webinars and workshops this year!
Past Events
SENIA Events
SENIA-Beijing is having an Autism Awareness month activity on April 2, 2023. Scan the QR code for registration and details.
April 2, 2023, 14:00 – 18:00.
SENIA-Beijing is joining Auesome Place, One Village and RongAiRongLe to host a Moon (Mid-Autumn) Festival Lunch Party.
Saturday, September 25, 2021, 10am – 1pm.
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.
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.â€Â 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:Â https://seniaconference.org
SENIA Partner Events
Incorporating Brain Talks in Teaching Executive Function by: Kaini Gu, M.S. Ed
SENIA-Beijing Partner:Â Neurodiverselearners.com
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
SENIA Beijing Fall 2026 Conference –
Cultivating Connected Communities: Building Inclusive Schools through Empathy, Engagement, and Support
Admission:
Early Bird Rate: RMB 300/person until October 15
早鸟价:10 月 15 日前,300 元 / 人
Standard Rate: RMB 350/person from October 16
标准价:10 月 16 日起,350 元 / 人
Group Admission
Group Offer: Register 9 individuals and get the 10th individual complimentary
团体优惠:报名 9 人,第 1 人免费
*Digital fapiaos (official invoices) available upon request and will disbursed in batches
Please note official invoices (fapiaos) will be distributed in 3 batches:请注意,正式发票(fapiao)将分三批开具发放:
- 1st batch after Early birds on October 16 第一批:早鸟票阶段结束后,2026年10 月 16 日起
- 2nd batch starting November 1, 2026 第二批:2026 年 11 月 1 日起
- 3rd batch after the conference starting November 28, 2026 第三批:会议结束后,2026 年 11 月 28 日起
Details
Date: November 27, 2026























































































































































































https://uiausa.org/inventor-resources/





























