Thriving Mind - Romi Kaufman Positive Psychology & Wellbeing/testimonials

Throughout 2012 Thriving Mind facilitated a series of positive education training workshops for all school principals, assistant principals and leading teachers from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Southern Metropolitan region. We also trained all staff at Bialik College and Swinburne Senior Secondary College. This is what the participants had to say...

“The entire presentation is excellent. Excellent listener and engaging speaker. Brings a real sense of calm and openness to every session. Don’t change a thing. Highly educational and inspirational.”
-Tori Mulligan, Acting Assistant Principal, Glen Eira College

“Outstanding presenter and information. I’m thrilled this was compulsory for all staff at this school.”
- French Teacher, Swinburne Senior Secondary College

“Energetic and interesting presentation. Thanks for a really good session and one that I can use immediately back in the school.”
- Malcom Dow, Assistant Principal, Armadale Primary School

“Delighted with the mix of theory and practice.”
- Michael O’Brien, Principal, Swinburne Senior Secondary College

“Terrific food for thought: personally and professionally.”
- Anne McPhee, Principal, Stonnington Primary School

“The workshop provided many ideas to embed aspects into current instruction. Provided a lot of information, but was never too heavy. Provided triggers for thinking and application.”
- Peter Seddon, Assistant Principal, Malvern Valley Primary School

“After today’s session I recognise why some conversations have been ‘railroaded’ [by people] quashing the event/pointing out the negatives. Loved the gratitude activity.”
- Libby Alessi, Principal, Glenhuntly

“It’s reassuring to know that strengths survey and other leadership feedback surveys offer similar results. Ties in nicely with ‘Organisational Change for Principals’ course and associated readings on leadership strengths and how to use these to bring about workplace change.”
- Julie Manallack, Principal, Toorak Primary

Thriving Mind is currently working with Malvern Central School to create a school wide positive education program. This is what the staff and parents have had to say....

“ A great workshop Romi. We have much to work with. You must LOVE your job.”
- Kerry Clayton, Principal

“Explicit referencing of our context/organisation – felt you had tailor made this workshop as opposed to churning out slides! The story telling was very powerful – the heightened engagement in the room was palpable!!”
- Saraid Doherty, Assistant Principal

“It was gold.”
- Adrian Stepnell, PE Teacher

"Romi was very engaging. I particularly liked her personal stories. She clearly knows and loves her field of expertise.”
- Kelly Cutler, Teacher

“Very engaging, interactive coach/facilitator”
- Zoe Smail, Prep Teacher

“Engaging. Tuned in to the audience. Extremely well organised with appropriate and thought provoking content. Thank you Romi for making me think about how I can change for the benefit of others and myself.”
- Sharon Wildermuth, ICT manager, Literacy Support

“Enjoyed the sessions very much. Romi was well prepared and delivered thought-provoking avenues for us to go forward. Thank you for sharing your personal/anecdotal examples.”
- Bernadette Burns, Visual Arts Teacher

“Thank you for an eye-opening, enlightening experience. Really makes you think and quite emotional.”
- Melanie Matherson, Year 1 Teacher

“Very inspiring. Really enjoyed all activities and videos. I feel more positive about myself after leaving today.”
- Jess Ingham, Prep Teacher

“Using a positive approach to learning and using our character strengths to succeed is only going to improve my teaching and my student outcomes.”
- Lauren Hazlewood, Performing Arts Teacher

“Romi was very engaging and all the content of the presentation was incredibly helpful for my own learning and future teaching. Thank you very much for spending time with us today, for an informative and engaging presentation.”
- Kiristiane Plehe, Student Teacher

“The value of incorporating the use of character strengths with both students and colleagues is to be admired and encouraged – today reminds us all of why we should be embracing this concept.”
- Bernadette Burns, Visual Arts Teacher

"I’m really happy to be involved with positive psychology; it will be a big part of school/business life in the future . An enjoyable session.”
- Danielle Grant, Coordinator

“Personable and easy to understand. Romi connected to us all with her personal stories and related positive psychology to our industry and our lives in general. Thank you for an inspiring day Romi. I believe your workshop will have a positive impact on our teaching.”
- Simone Flannagan, Japanese Teacher

“Romi was an engaging, informative and interesting presenter who got me thinking in a different manner.”
- Robyn Argus, Pre-service Teacher

“The time flew – always a sure sign of an excellent speaker and interesting material.”
- Nola Cefai, Teacher

“I think it takes big courage for people to share their personal story. When you shared your story with us, I felt trusted and respected.”
- Narea Choi, Pre-service Teacher

“Great to have this area being pursued by the school.”
- Lisa, Parent

" Your information session last week was wonderful. Your entire presentation was powerful, whether it was your delivery or the information you gave, it was an inspiring introduction to the mindfulness required to be happier. I hope that future sessions at MCS are possible. I believe that positive psychology is a great tool for us all, and its merits in children's education cannot be overestimated. I really value what you had to say last Thursday. Thank you."
- Marion, Parent

“I want to do it. I want to know more. I am 'sold'. I think I am positive but I focus on the negatives too much at this point in my life. Thank you for providing the insight for me and my family.”
- Jo, Parent

“This was enjoyable and educational!”
- Richard, Parent

“My son is really enjoying the work he is doing in class and it has been very beneficial for all our family as he discusses it with the rest of us.”
- Sally, Parent

“Very worthwhile. Good that it links comments to an evidence base.”
- Liz, Parent

Thriving Mind was thrilled to help with the creation of Smiling Mind, a mindfulness meditation app. This is what Smiling Mind had to say after we worked on the teacher's manual and facilitated workshops introducing the science and the program to schools...

"Romi is highly experienced and able to greatly assist in bringing content together for education and training that is sure to be insightful, thorough and very rewarding for participants whether they be students or teaching staff. At Smiling Mind we appreciated her consulting to us and helping to shape our Teaching/ Facilitating materials to support the program. She certainly added immensely to the end result"
- Jane Martino, Co-Founder, Smiling Mind

Thriving Mind was thrilled to collaborate with the Black Dog Institute on the creation of BITE BACK, a world first online program designed to enhance wellbeing in teenagers. This is what BDI had to say about our collaboration...

"Romi was involved in concept development, content creation and refinements to the BITE BACK website. She was instrumental in helping us prioritise and restructure several of the interactive exercises within the website to achieve maximum impact amongst our target population."
- Assoc. Prof. Vijaya Manicavasagar, Director of Psychological Services, Black Dog Institute

Please note, in accordance with the Guidelines for advertising regulated health services developed under section 39 of the National Law, these testimonials do not relate to any clinical work offered by the team at Thriving Mind. The reviews above relate only to professional development training and consultancy services offered by Thriving Mind.
Guidelines for Advertising Regulated Health Services, Section 6.2.3: "A review is not considered to be a testimonial or purported testimonial, in breach of section 133 (1)(c) of the National Law when it only comments on non-clinical issues, regardless of whether it is positive, negative or neutral." (http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Codes-Guidelines-Policies/Guidelines-for-advertising-regulated-health-services.aspx)