A Ripple Story…

Adrienne Buckingham

Senior Lecturer,
Otago Polytechnic

Adrienne applies positive psychology both personally and professionally, using evidence-based tools to enhance her own wellbeing, strengthen her parenting, and develop wellbeing programs for students and educators.

Dunedin, South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand

Alumni:

🎓 Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing

What drew you to complete the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?

I was working fulltime as a high school teacher and my kids were young. Teenagers were presenting me with problems that I knew better than to think I could help with. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and that, like the education system, had been quite deficit focused when I was training.

I came across Dr Lucy Hone talking about resilience and character strengths and something lit up for me – a pathway unfolded to Dr Denise Quinlan at the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience (NZIWR) who recommended the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing. My school gave me a scholarship to study the field and bring it back to the team and students.

How was your experience of the course?

"Intellectually stimulating and emotionally activating. And it was fun!"

Mindfulness was always something I struggled with – then, in one meditation exercise, I had a satori experience. Another turning point was writing a forgiveness letter, which completely surprised me – what an impact!

My experience of the Diploma was wholly positive and most alarming, as personally relevant to my life as it was professionally. A lifelong interest in psychology gave me a great framework, and Sue gave me research, enthusiasm, and practical application of relevant and recent scientific findings.

How are you spreading your positive ripples, and how have the learnings helped you achieve this?

"First and foremost, I am a better parent because of the Diploma, and I enjoy my children more. The tools I was given help me tackle the challenges that life throws at us."

Professionally, I was given the opportunity to develop a Positive Psychology programme for Year 10 students. I taught this for two years and we gathered wellbeing data from across the school. I used this data to complete a Master's in Psychology, which I was able to present at IPPA in Vancouver 2023.

I was contracted to the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience and was privileged enough to train teachers and principals across the whole country. Since Covid, I have moved from high school teaching to lecturing at a tertiary institution in the Bachelor of Social Service in Dunedin, New Zealand.

 

Curious how positive psychology can transform your work and life?

Discover practical strategies to boost resilience, wellbeing, and impact. Explore the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing today. Enquire with us or enrol now.