Jean O’Sullivan

Jean O'Sullivan

Primary School Teacher, Assistant Principal, Wellbeing Team Leader & Mentor and Coach

Cork, Ireland

Alumni: Virtual Live Learning

In our 11069NAT Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing we always talk about the ripple effect; starting with self and creating a ripple out there in the world - whatever that may mean for each person.

In this interview, one of our Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing graduates shares how she established a wellbeing committee at school in recent months and is working to support employee and student wellbeing in her school community!

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

I am teaching in a rural co-educational school in East Cork. I completed a coaching course during the first lockdown, during which I attended a few webinars about Strengths Profile. This was where I first came across Sue Langley. Afterwards, I looked up the Langley Group website and was interested in this course, though the times just didn’t work out well for me to attend live lectures.

Over the next year, this course kept popping up, and I decided there must be a reason. As the saying goes, ‘When the pupil is ready, the teacher will come’. I felt it was meant to be! I was excited to learn more from Sue about positive psychology and wellbeing.

I had been asked to lead the introduction of the wellbeing framework in my school through the process of school self-evaluation, and so I wanted to further my own learning in this area to support my work. I knew the course would be helpful on a professional level and my love of learning meant I was also keen to study for my own personal growth and development.

What was your experience during the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing?

This was a fantastic course, and it was definitely the most personally and professionally rewarding course I have ever completed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the live lectures and interactions on Zoom with Sue and the group. I watched some recordings as I could not attend all of the live sessions and still felt connected to everyone. It was a great course – full of up-to-date content, which Sue explained so clearly. Her passion and enthusiasm for sharing her extensive knowledge was infectious.

The discussions in the breakout rooms were always interesting and insightful as everyone was open and honest. It was lovely for us to have those opportunities to work together and share the learning journey. I was most impressed by the sense of safety Sue was able to create for a group that met online once a week.

What I loved most was the practical application of the theory throughout the course – this made all of the learning very real for me. I found completing the assessment tasks a very rewarding experience as I had to apply the learning and reflect on the experience. Previously I would have been very good at the theory and not so great at putting things into practice for myself!

As an EMCC accredited coach and Strengths Profile Practitioner, there were some familiar concepts explored in the course around values and strengths, which gave further depth to my knowledge. I loved the new learning, particularly about the Broaden and Build Theory and Mindset Theory.

How are you spreading your positive ripples, and how has the Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing helped you achieve this?

I was energised by my learning throughout this course. The random act of kindness (RAK) task was a really memorable experience. I continue to carry out random acts of kindness on a regular basis, and my colleagues have reported feeling inspired to start doing RAKs now too.

I have established a wellbeing committee at school in recent months, and we are working to support employees and student wellbeing in our school community. We have a wellbeing noticeboard in our staffroom with positive quotes, we have termly employee breakfasts so all team members can sit down together and chat, we have organised optional termly activities, and we share the monthly Action for Happiness calendars.

We are also exploring in more depth the results of the Whole School Wellbeing Checklist. In my new role as a Special Education Teacher, I have been able to share many techniques and strategies which I learned during the course with pupils who are struggling with emotional regulation and need support in this area. We often practise gratitude and complete mindfulness activities together.

For me, the course took me on a journey that surpassed my expectations. It inspired me, challenged me, comforted me, encouraged me and empowered me.  The course was life changing because it was such a positive and affirming experience. It allowed the space for growth and challenge as well as providing support throughout. Thank you to Sue and her wonderful team for everything.