Meet The SENIA Manila Team

Peter Baker

Peter Baker

Peter Baker is currently at his 4th year at International School Manila where he is program leader for the High School Learning Support Department. Before that, he was at International School of the Eastern Seaboard in Thailand.

Peter has taught Special Education for 8 years, starting out in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ensuring students have equal access to the classroom and to the resources in the community is a passion of his and what drives him to continue in this unique field. He feels that the SENIA organization is a great place for community members to connect with local professionals and school leaders to find the help they need.

Priscilla Leighton

Priscilla Leighton

Priscilla Leighton is a special education leader who advocates for inclusion and putting kids first. Her adventure in the world of special education began in California, where she worked as a Resource Specialist for 7 years. She earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education before moving overseas in
2013.

Now she is the Student Services Coordinator for Middle and High School at Brent International School Manila.

As local chapter liaison for SENIA, Priscilla supports the local chapters on their own inclusive journey. She also serves on the board of the SENIA local chapter in Manila and personally experiences the benefits of being a part of a local chapter.

The keys to Priscilla‘s heart are held by her husband, two daughters, and a very large poodle. She’s always looking for a chance to whisk them away and explore the world (preferably
underwater).

Bill Laulo

Bill Laulo

Bill Laulo, NBPTS Certified Exceptional Needs Specialist, M.Ed Special Education

Currently teaching at International School Manila as the Middle School Learning Support Program Leader, this is his 8th year at ISM. He has taught in the field of Special Education for 10 years in the USA, working with students that had Emotional Disturbances before beginning to work overseas. He also taught for two years at the International School of Ho Chi Minh City where he was a Learning Support Teacher and Head of Student Services.

Bill’s passion for Special Education comes from his own experiences with dyslexia and the challenges that he faced. He wants all students to feel empowered to advocate for their needs while maintaining their own dignity as unique learners. Bill sees the SENIA organization as the perfect match for his personal mission to help students learn how to leverage their own strengths.

Steve Fischer

Steve Fischer

Steve Fischer, LBS1 Certified, MA Education, teaches grade 7 students at International School Manila. This is his sixth year at ISM.

Prior to Manila, Steve taught a diverse range of students in Chicago Public Schools for 11 years. Steve’s dedication to education and working with students with special needs comes from a passion for lifelong learning and his commitment to all learners.

He views the SENIA organization as a place to bring together students, teachers, parents, and community members, near and far, to support each other by collectively sharing their ideas, resources and stories.

Kris Siasoyco

Kris Siasoyco

Kris Siasoyco graduated with the degree of B.S. Educational Psychology from De La Salle University Manila and is currently taking up her Masters Degree in Special Needs in the University of the Philippines Diliman. She has been teaching for 8 years and has served as the head of Special Education Needs in one of the British schools here in Manila.

Kris currently leads the Special Needs Department at a privately owned education company who caters to the child care needs of corporations. Her advocacy aims to make special needs accessible to companies and local schools. Furthermore, she aims to raise awareness and strengthen local and international network for special needs practitioners, parents and children.