Chris Gildenmeister, M.Ed. 2011 STEMtech Conference

Norman Vincent Peale - “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

Business owner

Educator in Public School System Mississippi State – Elementary Education

Computers Science

Masters degrees from Bowling Green State Univ. Curriculum and Teaching Classroom Technology

Research says: Reduces and prevents anxiety Works equally well across different racial/ethnic

backgrounds Increases optimism and engagement Improves social skills Produces positive and reliable improvements Promotes students sense of purpose Enhances traditional goals of classroom learning

First – cure mental illness

Second – find and nurture genius and talent

Third – make normal life more fulfilling

1998 - Dr. Martin Seligman created a new field in psychology called positive psychology

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the

strengths and virtues that enable individuals and

communities to thrive.

Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman

Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the personal qualities,

life choices,life circumstances,

and sociocultural conditions

that promote a life well-lived, defined by criteria of happiness,

physical and mental health,meaningfulness,

and virtue.

Subjective - positive emotions such as happiness,

satisfaction with life, relaxation, and love intimacy

Individual - more enduring and persistent behavior

patterns seen in people over time

Society/Group - development, creation, and

maintenance of positive institutions

All things are possible by visualizing them.

Adopt an upbeat vision of reality and positive

things will happen.

In the land of happy thoughts we are to blame if

things go wrong.

Positive Education - incorporation of the science of

positive psychology into the life and work of schools

Benefits teachers personally

Creates relationships that distinguish excellence

Produces students capable of living a good life

clear‐eyed optimism

deep wells of emotional

energy and motivation

springy resilience

sturdy hope

strong relationships

clearly understood values

refined purpose

challenging, motivating

goals

Florida State University study by Tim Judge and his

colleagues

Began in 1979

12, 686 participants

14-22 years old

Broad, latent, higher-order trait indicated by four

well-established traits

Self-esteem

Self-efficacy

Neuroticism

Locus of Control

Mindsets – how we perceive talent

Growth – smart is something you do which can

be increased continuously

Fixed – intelligence is something you have in a

predetermined amount

Resilience – ability to advance in the presence of opportunity

Relationships – key element of emotional intelligence which assists in developing connections

Strengths - greater engagement, accomplishment

and well-being

Values in Action Inventory of Character Strengths

Example Exercises:

Three good things

Using Signature Strengths

Start simply - Change prompt from ‘think about a time you were embarrassed’ to ‘think about when you were a value to others’

Graduate - create projects that are geared toward each student using their signature strength in a new way to create a higher level of engagement or flow

Sources of happiness are unanimous - there’s no silver bullet, and money is clearly not enough

Count all successes (big and small) – positive goals equal a better more fulfilling life

3 to 1 Rule - It takes three positive experiences to counteract one negative experience

Pay it forward – it really does work!

35% of happiness is in your control

55% of happiness is biology

10% of happiness is environment

COUNT YOUR SUCCESSES!