Episode 029: Inviting Joy and Positivity into Your Life with Sheila Kennedy
03/26/24 • 27 min
What does it mean to truly invite joy into our lives? What impact can it have on our personal and professional experiences? This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the esteemed Sheila Kennedy, founder of Be Positively Connected. Together, we took a deep dive into her 25-year journey in education and discovered the immense power of applied positive psychology.
Sheila Kennedy is the founder of Be Positively Connected. One of the first thousand in the world to earn a masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, she is known for her passion for connecting others to the practical applications of the science of well-being so they can live their best lives. Ranging from first grade teacher to instructional coach, adjunct professor to educational consultant, as well as conference presenter and keynote speaker, Sheila has spent the past twenty-five years working in education. With a focus on topics rooted in positive emotions, investing in joy, and building resiliency, her mission is to help others reclaim their happiness, ignite their passions, and unleash their potential.
Picture your day-to-day life, now imagine being able to spot joy in every corner of it, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Sheila shares her experience with 'joy spotting' - an intentional practice that has not only aided her through personal losses like the passing of her beloved Chihuahua, Oreo, but also greatly enhanced her life. Through vivid tales from her own journey, she illustrates how joy spotting can amplify gratitude, foster resilience, and ultimately make our lives richer.
Reaching the end of our conversation, Sheila gifted us with the story of her personal connection to joy and how it influences the relationships that matter most to her. We examined the potency of positive messaging and its role in shaping the ambiance of our personal spaces and workplaces. This episode promises to offer a fresh perspective for educators and a guide for anyone seeking to lead a more positive and fulfilling life. Get ready to step into a world where joy is limitless and positivity is contagious. You won't want to miss this.
Episode resources:
Sheila Kennedy, MAPP
- IG @positively.sheila
- Facebook page @bepositivelyconnected
- www.bepositivelyconnected.com
- Hashtags: #MondayPositiviTEE #joyspotting
Martin Seligman
- MAPP program at UPenn https://www.lps.upenn.edu/degree-programs/mapp
Book recommendations:
- Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee
- The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential by Elaine O’Brien & Andra Seydel
- The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price
Read Aloud books: (for children AND adults)
- Finding Muchness by Kobi Yamada
- Feeling Grateful by Kobi Yamada
This episode is sponsored by Positively Sheila; stay positively connected.
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
What does it mean to truly invite joy into our lives? What impact can it have on our personal and professional experiences? This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the esteemed Sheila Kennedy, founder of Be Positively Connected. Together, we took a deep dive into her 25-year journey in education and discovered the immense power of applied positive psychology.
Sheila Kennedy is the founder of Be Positively Connected. One of the first thousand in the world to earn a masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, she is known for her passion for connecting others to the practical applications of the science of well-being so they can live their best lives. Ranging from first grade teacher to instructional coach, adjunct professor to educational consultant, as well as conference presenter and keynote speaker, Sheila has spent the past twenty-five years working in education. With a focus on topics rooted in positive emotions, investing in joy, and building resiliency, her mission is to help others reclaim their happiness, ignite their passions, and unleash their potential.
Picture your day-to-day life, now imagine being able to spot joy in every corner of it, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Sheila shares her experience with 'joy spotting' - an intentional practice that has not only aided her through personal losses like the passing of her beloved Chihuahua, Oreo, but also greatly enhanced her life. Through vivid tales from her own journey, she illustrates how joy spotting can amplify gratitude, foster resilience, and ultimately make our lives richer.
Reaching the end of our conversation, Sheila gifted us with the story of her personal connection to joy and how it influences the relationships that matter most to her. We examined the potency of positive messaging and its role in shaping the ambiance of our personal spaces and workplaces. This episode promises to offer a fresh perspective for educators and a guide for anyone seeking to lead a more positive and fulfilling life. Get ready to step into a world where joy is limitless and positivity is contagious. You won't want to miss this.
Episode resources:
Sheila Kennedy, MAPP
- IG @positively.sheila
- Facebook page @bepositivelyconnected
- www.bepositivelyconnected.com
- Hashtags: #MondayPositiviTEE #joyspotting
Martin Seligman
- MAPP program at UPenn https://www.lps.upenn.edu/degree-programs/mapp
Book recommendations:
- Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee
- The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential by Elaine O’Brien & Andra Seydel
- The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price
Read Aloud books: (for children AND adults)
- Finding Muchness by Kobi Yamada
- Feeling Grateful by Kobi Yamada
This episode is sponsored by Positively Sheila; stay positively connected.
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
Previous Episode
Episode 028: Wellness Strategies for the Thoughtful Educator with Craig Aarons Martin
Struggling to strike the perfect balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being? Craig Aarons Martin joins us to illuminate the path to self-care mastery for educators, emphasizing the transformative effects of physical activity, meditation, and mindfulness. His personal anecdotes serve as a beacon for those looking to rejuvenate not just themselves but also their surroundings, demonstrating how one's own wellness practices can radiate positive influence across students and colleagues alike.
During our heartfelt conversation, we unearth the often-invisible dedication that teachers invest in their craft, extending far beyond the classroom walls. Recognizing the synergy between empathetic leadership and teacher well-being, Craig shares insights on fostering nurturing environments where mindful breaks and clear communication about work-life balance aren't just encouraged but celebrated. We reflect on the wisdom of "The Body Keeps the Score," acknowledging the profound impact that mental and physical downtime can have on both our careers and lives.
Finally, Craig imparts practical strategies for infusing mindfulness into diverse classrooms, offering our listeners a chance to help children navigate their emotions with creative tools like breathing exercises and Legos. We wrap up our enriching dialogue with a call to embrace minimalism and embark on a journey of self-improvement. So, pour yourself your favorite cup of tea, light a relaxing incense, and join us in this episode for a transformative experience that will leave you inspired to take that much-deserved self-date and share your reflections with our community.
Craig Aarons-Martin is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The CCM Education Group, an education consulting organization that provides professional learning services to districts, schools, nonprofits, and businesses worldwide. Craig is an ASCD Emerging Leader & presenter and an author who published an article on professional learning for ASCD EDAdvantage. He currently serves as the President Elect for Massachusetts ASCD and was a President for the ASCD Emerging Leader Affiliate.
Craig Aarons-Martin is an award-winning teacher & school leader with 20+ years of experience in urban education serving as a mentor, instructional coach, teacher developer, and professional learning facilitator. Martin also works with groups, individuals, and organizations to create bold and joyful solutions that amplify equity and belonging. Craig is also the co-host of SELinEDU, The Podcast.
Resource mentions:
https://linktr.ee/craigcmartin
The Body Keeps the Score:
https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score
This episode is sponsored by CCM Education Group LLC partners with school leaders, schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations to make bold strategies for creating thriving inclusive, and student-powered learning communities. Learn more at https://ccmeducationgroup.co/
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
Next Episode
Episode 030: The Power of Courage in Education with Ming Shelby
When faced with the daunting task of guiding her non-English speaking parents through the complexities of a new country, Ming Shelby learned early on that courage isn't just an abstract concept, but a muscle we can all develop. This very lesson fuels her mission today, which she passionately shares with us, to embolden educators with the bravery to initiate tough conversations, foster authenticity, and lead with kindness in the classroom and beyond. Ming's remarkable journey, from her childhood trials to taking the stage as a TEDx speaker, reminds us all of the transformative power of courage in our lives.
Our discussion with Ming doesn't stop at personal growth; it dives into the practical implications of courageous conversations in reducing educator stress and improving workload management. We're reminded that human connection, afforded by face-to-face interactions, can clear the fog of miscommunication and lighten our collective burden. As we navigate the cultural tapestries of communication styles and embrace the principles of "showing up, being seen, and living brave," Ming encourages us to lead with empathy, challenge with directness, and ultimately, to shape a world where courage is the bedrock of our every interaction.
Ming Shelby is a TEDX speaker, a National Board Certified educator who has dedicated her career to inspiring students, teachers, and administrators through learning experiences. Ming is currently the Director of Professional Learning in the suburbs of Chicago. She believes that courage is the critical ingredient for student transformation. Ming has facilitated workshops for adults and youth in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States. She also builds courage beyond the classroom to support kids and adults through her podcast, Courage Up.
Resource mentions:
Radical Candor Brene Brown
Today's episode was brought to you by Plan Z Professional Learning Services, Forward Thinking Educator Support. Find out more at www.PlanZPLServices.com. Follow us @PlanZPLS on Twitter and Instagram.
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast - Episode 029: Inviting Joy and Positivity into Your Life with Sheila Kennedy
Transcript
Welcome to the Minimalist Educator Podcast , a podcast about paring down to refocus on the purpose and priorities in our roles with co-hosts and co-authors of the Minimalist Teacher Book , Tammy Musiowsky-Borniman and Christine Arnold .
Speaker 2On today's episode , sheila shares with us various insights into how we can spread healthy positivity throu
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