International psychologist imparts positivity
Photo: Bev Lacey
HEALTHY teachers means healthy schools and an environment where students can flourish.
That was the message from international academic and positive psychologist Dr Robert Biswas-Diener to the staff at St Joseph’s College yesterday.
Dr Biswas-Diener said anyone could mitigate stress with good sleep and diet.
“I believe when the teachers are healthy, the school can be healthy and the students can flourish,” Dr Biswas-Diener said.
St Joseph’s College assistant principal Tania Gallen said Dr Biswas-Diener’s visit had been well received.
“The program for the staff has been about being a happy educator, looking at how you approach the job, looking at well-being and creating a culture within the staff of being solutions based instead of getting bogged down in the negative,” Ms Gallen said.
The psychologist has authored numerous books and articles and presented on TEDx Talks on the subject on positive psychology.
Dr Biswas-Diener said yesterday’s seminar was about creating a positive environment among the staff members so they could become better instructors to the students.
“Some of the ways teachers could become more positive could include making sure they balance their work-life,” Dr Biswas-Diener said.