Peggy Rakas is a lifelong music educator who has personally experienced the benefits of positive psychology in her classroom. Her positivity workshops grew out of her desire to share her passion for positive psychology and inspire other teachers and students. Ms. Rakas has taught her positivity workshops at creative conferences such as the NYSSMA Music Conference, the Suffolk Symposium, the Balanced Mind Conference on Long Island and for NAfME, AMIS and SmartMusic. Ms Rakas is a popular presenter for Nassau and Suffolk County professional development workshops and for school districts on Long Island. She is also an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and a clinician for SmartMusic.
All workshops can be customized to fit the needs of all teachers or for teachers in the arts.
All workshops can be customized to fit the needs of all teachers or for teachers in the arts.
"Thank you for your presentation yesterday at the
Suffolk Symposium. It was inspiring, informative, thought-provoking, and engaging.
My colleagues at East Islip and I truly enjoyed it."
Chris Neske, East Islip High School
Suffolk Symposium. It was inspiring, informative, thought-provoking, and engaging.
My colleagues at East Islip and I truly enjoyed it."
Chris Neske, East Islip High School
Harnessing the Power of Positive Teaching
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K - 12
In her signature workshop, Peggy Rakas helps teachers measurably improve job satisfaction and increase their effectiveness in the classroom. We will examine lessons from positive psychology, master teachers, and coaches and look at how we can develop a more positive, grateful, and centered attitude that will benefit both teacher and student. Attendees report that they leave inspired and motivated, and long-term results include happier and more engaged students and teachers, more productive classrooms, and healthier students, teachers, staff, and administrators. Participants will receive suggestions for challenging yet sustainable mindfulness and gratitude practices. And all will go home with engaging ideas, clearer goals, and practical exercises for improving one's outlook on life.
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K - 12
In her signature workshop, Peggy Rakas helps teachers measurably improve job satisfaction and increase their effectiveness in the classroom. We will examine lessons from positive psychology, master teachers, and coaches and look at how we can develop a more positive, grateful, and centered attitude that will benefit both teacher and student. Attendees report that they leave inspired and motivated, and long-term results include happier and more engaged students and teachers, more productive classrooms, and healthier students, teachers, staff, and administrators. Participants will receive suggestions for challenging yet sustainable mindfulness and gratitude practices. And all will go home with engaging ideas, clearer goals, and practical exercises for improving one's outlook on life.
Helping our Students Stay Positive
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades 5 - 12
This workshop will examine practical lessons from positive psychology that will help students stay positive during this unprecedented time. Peggy Rakas is an approved teacher for the Yale course for high school students called “Psychology and the Good Live.” We will look at lessons inspired by this course to share with grades 5 – 12 on harnessing habits, mindset, happiness misconceptions, mental illusions, building deliberate practice skills, and what truly makes us happy. With these lessons, both students and teachers can measurably raise their happiness and optimism levels.
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades 5 - 12
This workshop will examine practical lessons from positive psychology that will help students stay positive during this unprecedented time. Peggy Rakas is an approved teacher for the Yale course for high school students called “Psychology and the Good Live.” We will look at lessons inspired by this course to share with grades 5 – 12 on harnessing habits, mindset, happiness misconceptions, mental illusions, building deliberate practice skills, and what truly makes us happy. With these lessons, both students and teachers can measurably raise their happiness and optimism levels.
How to Stay Positive During Challenging Times
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K - 12
This workshop will examine lessons from positive psychology, philosophers, and wisdom traditions that help teachers and their students during the best of times and even more so during challenging times. We will explore proven methods to develop a more positive, grateful, and centered attitude that will help us navigate whatever storms may come our way. Participants will receive suggestions for small, sustainable habits that will help students and teachers flourish. All participants will go home with engaging ideas, clearer goals, and practical exercises for improving their classrooms and outlook on life.
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K - 12
This workshop will examine lessons from positive psychology, philosophers, and wisdom traditions that help teachers and their students during the best of times and even more so during challenging times. We will explore proven methods to develop a more positive, grateful, and centered attitude that will help us navigate whatever storms may come our way. Participants will receive suggestions for small, sustainable habits that will help students and teachers flourish. All participants will go home with engaging ideas, clearer goals, and practical exercises for improving their classrooms and outlook on life.
Teaching Growth Mindset and the Power of WOOP
1 - 2 hour Workshop for teachers Grades 4 - 12
Instilling a growth mindset in our students is essential to their success. In this clinic we will look at ways to present and reinforce a growth mindset and how to make it an integral part of our classroom. We will work with Gabrielle Oettington's WOOP method. WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle and Plan and is an incredibly useful tool for goal setting for both students and teachers. And we will discuss the importance of deliberate practice and how we can encourage our students to work to perfect small sections to create a magnificent whole. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines.
1 - 2 hour Workshop for teachers Grades 4 - 12
Instilling a growth mindset in our students is essential to their success. In this clinic we will look at ways to present and reinforce a growth mindset and how to make it an integral part of our classroom. We will work with Gabrielle Oettington's WOOP method. WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle and Plan and is an incredibly useful tool for goal setting for both students and teachers. And we will discuss the importance of deliberate practice and how we can encourage our students to work to perfect small sections to create a magnificent whole. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines.
Positive Habits for Peak Performance
1 -2 hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
You cannot serve from an empty vessel. This workshop, focusing on the importance of self-care, helps people look at proven ways to improve their happiness levels so they can be more energetic, more creative, and more effective in their workplace. Learn how positive emotions and healthy habits can improve the health and well-being of educators, professionals, and students. Participants will leave with ideas for small, sustainable positive habits, and in-class activities will help identify positive and researched strategies to promote meaningful change in the classroom and in your life. The workshop can also be customized to benefit any business.
1 -2 hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
You cannot serve from an empty vessel. This workshop, focusing on the importance of self-care, helps people look at proven ways to improve their happiness levels so they can be more energetic, more creative, and more effective in their workplace. Learn how positive emotions and healthy habits can improve the health and well-being of educators, professionals, and students. Participants will leave with ideas for small, sustainable positive habits, and in-class activities will help identify positive and researched strategies to promote meaningful change in the classroom and in your life. The workshop can also be customized to benefit any business.
Self-care in A Major Way
1 - 2 hour workshop for teachers in the arts in grades K - 12
In this humor-filled presentation, Peggy Rakas guides us through best practices for teachers in the arts to prioritize self-care. Based on current research in positive psychology, this workshop will examine proven ways to improve our self-care and raise our happiness levels so both teachers and students can be more energetic, more motivated, more creative, and more effective in the classroom. Attendees will receive suggestions for challenging yet sustainable happiness boosters and will go home with engaging ideas, clear goals, practical exercises, and tiny habits to install that will motivate all.
1 - 2 hour workshop for teachers in the arts in grades K - 12
In this humor-filled presentation, Peggy Rakas guides us through best practices for teachers in the arts to prioritize self-care. Based on current research in positive psychology, this workshop will examine proven ways to improve our self-care and raise our happiness levels so both teachers and students can be more energetic, more motivated, more creative, and more effective in the classroom. Attendees will receive suggestions for challenging yet sustainable happiness boosters and will go home with engaging ideas, clear goals, practical exercises, and tiny habits to install that will motivate all.
Goal Setting from the Heart
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K – 12
When times get challenging, it is best to have a clear goal to help guide you. Identifying the values and beliefs that guide us will help us create clear goals and visions for our lives and our students. In this workshop, we will examine how successful businesses use mission and vision statements and how we can learn from their success to create our own goals and visions. We will take the time to identify what values are important to each of us and how we can connect to these values regularly to help us navigate as we make decisions in all aspects of our lives. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of direction and commitment to their greater goals for themselves and their students.
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K – 12
When times get challenging, it is best to have a clear goal to help guide you. Identifying the values and beliefs that guide us will help us create clear goals and visions for our lives and our students. In this workshop, we will examine how successful businesses use mission and vision statements and how we can learn from their success to create our own goals and visions. We will take the time to identify what values are important to each of us and how we can connect to these values regularly to help us navigate as we make decisions in all aspects of our lives. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of direction and commitment to their greater goals for themselves and their students.
Building Character Strengths in our Students
1 - 2 hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
Research tells us that the most successful students are the hardest working and not necessarily the most talented. In this workshop we will look at ways nurture a strong work ethic, perseverance, zest and passion in our students and help them succeed in school and in life. We will examine the book "Grit" by Angela Duckworth, the VIA Character assessment as well as lessons from great coaches and master teachers. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines.
1 - 2 hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
Research tells us that the most successful students are the hardest working and not necessarily the most talented. In this workshop we will look at ways nurture a strong work ethic, perseverance, zest and passion in our students and help them succeed in school and in life. We will examine the book "Grit" by Angela Duckworth, the VIA Character assessment as well as lessons from great coaches and master teachers. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines.
Building Unstoppable Teams
1 - 2 hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
This workshop, based on the book by the same name written by Navy SEAL platoon commander ALDEN MILLS, will examine proven techniques for team building, leading and creating big, awesome, over the horizon goals. We will focus on how to apply these ideas to our classrooms and examine how all our success revolves around CARE for our students and for ourselves.
1 - 2 hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
This workshop, based on the book by the same name written by Navy SEAL platoon commander ALDEN MILLS, will examine proven techniques for team building, leading and creating big, awesome, over the horizon goals. We will focus on how to apply these ideas to our classrooms and examine how all our success revolves around CARE for our students and for ourselves.
Nurturing Deliberate Practice
1 hour workshop for teachers in Grades K - 12
Learning how to develop a deliberate practice routine will benefit your students in all aspects of their lives. Set a goal, practice, monitor, receive feedback, make changes and repeat. This is what sets experts apart from the rest. Ideas on how to set a climate where a student does not work for perfection but pushes for mastery and sees a constant opportunity for improvement. This workshop can be geared to music teachers or to all teachers.
Start Your Year on a Positive Note
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K - 12
As we start a new school or calendar year, it is good to take stock of where we are and where we might like to go. Peggy Rakas will lead us through researched tools from positive psychology that will help make this year your best year yet. We will explore proven methods to develop a more positive, grateful, and centered attitude. Participants will be given suggestions for small, sustainable habits that will help students and teachers flourish. All will go home with engaging ideas, clearer goals, and practical exercises for improving one's outlook on life. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines.
2 hour workshop for teachers in grades K - 12
As we start a new school or calendar year, it is good to take stock of where we are and where we might like to go. Peggy Rakas will lead us through researched tools from positive psychology that will help make this year your best year yet. We will explore proven methods to develop a more positive, grateful, and centered attitude. Participants will be given suggestions for small, sustainable habits that will help students and teachers flourish. All will go home with engaging ideas, clearer goals, and practical exercises for improving one's outlook on life. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines.
You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel
1hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
This workshop, focusing on the importance of self care, helps people look at proven ways to improve their happiness levels so they can be more energetic, more creative, and more effective in their workplace. Attendees will be given suggestions for challenging, yet sustainable happiness boosters, and will go home with engaging ideas, clear goals, and practical exercises for improving one's outlook on life. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines. The workshop can also be customized to benefit any business.
1hour workshop for teachers Grades K - 12
This workshop, focusing on the importance of self care, helps people look at proven ways to improve their happiness levels so they can be more energetic, more creative, and more effective in their workplace. Attendees will be given suggestions for challenging, yet sustainable happiness boosters, and will go home with engaging ideas, clear goals, and practical exercises for improving one's outlook on life. This workshop can be geared towards teachers in the arts or can be customized for teachers in all disciplines. The workshop can also be customized to benefit any business.