About the Authors

Weaving Well-being has been established by Fiona Forman and Mick Rock, two people absolutely passionate about the mental health and well-being of children and in helping them to achieve their true potential. Here is a short profile of our team.

Fiona Forman

Picture of Fiona Forman

Fiona Forman is a primary school teacher with 28 years’ experience in the classroom at all levels, including resource and learning support. Fiona studied in St. Patrick's College, Dublin and holds an honours B.Ed degree. and a Diploma in Montessori Education. She has also worked for St. Patrick’s College as a Teaching Practice Supervisor.

Fiona has always had a keen interest in children’s well-being and mental health, and this led her to begin her studies towards a M.Sc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of East London, in September 2014. It is her strong belief that well-being and positive mental health strategies should be introduced to the curriculum. She has designed and implemented a well-being programme for second and third class pupils at her school, which has received immense positive feedback. She has delivered talks to parents and teachers on Positive Psychology, and its application to education.

Fiona has been invited by the Teaching Council to speak at Féilte (A celebration of Teaching and Learning) in the RDS in October 2015, about her current research.

Fiona is married with two teenage children, and lives in Co. Dublin.

Mick Rock

Mick is a qualified Executive and Life Coach and a Motivational Speaker who has helped hundreds of people to enhance their lives and achieve a wide variety of goals. As a parent of two boys Mick is extremely passionate about working with and helping children to deal with the various challenges in their lives, to increase their happiness and wellbeing and to fulfil their true potential.

Together with his wife Linda, who is a Primary School Teacher, they set up New Horizons Montessori School over 12 years ago and this has become established as one of the leading Montessori Schools in Dublin. He has also worked with childrens' charities and served as the Chairperson of the Board of Management of a Primary School for 4 years.

Mick has completed a three year Masters Programme in Applied Positive Psychology with the University of East London (with distinction). His final dissertation was a research project on the use of positive psychology interventions in Primary Schools. He already holds a range of other professional qualifications including a diploma in Executive Business and Life Coaching accredited with the Life and Business Coaching Association of Ireland (L.B.C.A.I.) and a Certificate in Training and Development from NUI Maynooth.

Mick is also the owner of Act Now a company that delivers motivational talks, training programmes and one to one coaching to adult participants. These sessions have a strong focus on positive psychology interventions. Before setting up Act Now he held various management roles including 5 years as Training and Development Manager within the financial services sector where he was responsible for the training and development needs of over 300 staff.