Like any hiking trail, there have been times throughout my life when the trail has been straight and times when it has been winding. There have been excruciating uphill battles and slippery down hill slopes and plenty of trails that have led me to dead ends.
Whenever I have felt lost, I have learned to trust that there will always be a ‘fellow traveler,’ or ‘a guide’ who shows up and helps me find my way. I trust that experience because it’s always been a powerful reality in my life. Perhaps because I’ve been that friend, colleague and teacher for so many other young people.
My story
I have been educating and helping young women and men ‘find their way’ throughout my 18 year teaching career.
A few years ago, I decided to expand my knowledge on building competencies that young people need for life; resilience, character strengths, optimism, positive leadership, self-confidence, self-determination, future-mindedness, interpersonal skills, risk taking, mindfulness, civic responsibility, perseverance etc. So, I made a commitment to take positive action to promote wellbeing and the broarder prosperity and happiness of my students by undertaking a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology at Melbourne University.
Whether you are in your final years of high school, at university or a working professional, my mission is to equip young people with evidence-based tools to enhance wellbeing, facilitate goal attainment and foster purposeful positive change.
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My qualifications
→ Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, University of Melbourne (with Distinction) 2016–2017
→ Associate Teaching Diploma in Drama and Performance (with Distinction) 2011–2014
→ Masters in Drama Teaching, Queensland University of Technology, 2006–2007
→ Bachelor of Creative Industries / Bachelor of Education (Drama, Geography), Queensland University of Technology, 2000–2003
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My Career Experience
I currently work as a Dean of Student Wellbeing at a University College in Brisbane, Australia. My previous workplaces include:
→ Stretton State College
→ St Aidans Anglican Girls School
→ Brisbane Girls Grammar School
→ Brisbane State High School
→ St Margarets Anglican Girls School
→ Clayfield College
→ All Hallows School
→ York House Girls School (Vancouver)
“I looked forward to my coaching sessions with Adele, they were like a breath of fresh air; for that hour, it was about me, my goals, my strengths, my aspirations. These conversations sparked realisations within me that have shaped how I approach life to this day.”
Nandani, 41