I am an artist and author, who has a passion to support our children to thrive by addressing our emotional and relational culture, particularly in schools. This is a complex and multifaceted journey, but deeply believe that we can change the tide of the current decline in our childrens metal and emotional health by addressing the culture we create. I have been studying neuroscience, psychology and somatics which has informed all my creative works. 

To really explore our curiosity, enable play and mental thriving, we need to feel emotionally and relationally safe. When we feel safe, our brains and bodies can connect to others, ourselves and be open to opportunities, change and connection. When we feel unsafe, our bodies and brains are full of stress hormones and our ability to use our brains fully can be restricted. As we invest in strengthening the values we believe in and by understanding emotional safety, we enable behaviours to be compassionately understood, and enable us to kindly challenge status quo. As we develop emotional intelligence, we support self awareness and self advocacy and relational and community health. 

My work has supported teachers to engage with the values that help to create healthy classroom communities and relationally supportive behaviours, based in restorative justice, kindness and healthy boundaries. 

Publications:

• Words and Your Heart (published by Simon Schuster, Macmillan USA, scholastic, Bruno Editorial)
• Wonderful You / You  (published by Macmillan USA, Wildgoose-Media)
• Powerful You/ Your Yes and Your No (published by Macmillan USA, Wildgoose-Media)

I have created character cards, emotion cards and a new emotions wheel (published by Wildgoose-Media)to help teachers understand some of the driving beliefs around some of our behaviours and emotions. 

I am currently studying for my Phd, and am illustrating two new picture books.