Online Courses with Tonya

Online Courses with Tonya I provide online classes, tutoring, and coaching in psychology, CBT, and sociology.

I believe we’re hardwired to learn, and learning should be fun—because curious minds learn! Empower your teen or yourself to grow, thrive, and embrace new possibilities. 🌟 Online Classes, One-on-One Tutoring & Coaching in Psychology, CBT, and Sociology 🌟

Hi, I’m Tonya Russell! With over 20 years of experience lecturing in psychology, CBT, and sociology, I now offer online classes, one-on-one tutoring, and coaching. Education isn’t just about knowledge—it’s the gateway to becoming the best version of ourselves and creating the life of our dreams. Whether you’re homeschooling, seeking personal development, or exploring these fascinating subjects, I’m here to help.

📩 Message me to get started or learn more!

Feeling a bit scattered after Term One… and not quite sure how to reset for Term Two?Next Wednesday I’m hosting a FREE o...
16/04/2026

Feeling a bit scattered after Term One… and not quite sure how to reset for Term Two?

Next Wednesday I’m hosting a FREE online workshop for homeschooling parents.

📅 Wednesday 22 April
⏰ 6.00pm (NZT)

A space to pause, reflect, and create a clear plan for Term Two without overwhelm.

This is the exact process I use in our own homeschool journey, grounded in my 25+ years as a tertiary educator.

This is a true workshop.
You’ll need paper and pen because we’ll be DO-ING… not just listening.

You’ll leave with a tangible plan you can actually follow.

No strings attached. Just a powerful reset.

Stay until the end and I’ll also share how outsourcing part of our homeschool load changed everything for us and walk you through my psychology & sociology courses for tweens and teens so you can see if they’re a fit.

If you’re ready to feel clear, focused, and back in control for Term Two… this is for you.

👉 Comment “RESET” and I’ll send you the link

I’m hosting a FREE online workshop for homeschooling parents.Wednesday 22 April 6.00pm (NZT)A dedicated space to pause, ...
16/04/2026

I’m hosting a FREE online workshop for homeschooling parents.

Wednesday 22 April 6.00pm (NZT)

A dedicated space to pause, reflect on Term One, and intentionally plan for Term Two.

This is the exact process I use in our own homeschooling journey.

It is grounded in over 25 years as an educator in the tertiary sector.

This is a true workshop.
No fluff. No passive listening.

You’ll need paper and pen, because we’ll be actively working through a simple but powerful framework and you’ll leave with a clear, tangible plan for the term ahead.

There are no strings attached. Just a valuable reset.

If you stay until the end, I’ll also share how outsourcing part of our homeschool load became a turning point for us—and how it led me to create my online psychology and sociology courses for tweens and teens.

I’ll walk you through those options so you can ask questions and decide if it’s a good fit for your family.

Comment below or DM me and I will send you link to book.

What if your teen could learn sociology…without it feeling like school?What if, instead of starting with theory…we start...
16/04/2026

What if your teen could learn sociology…without it feeling like school?

What if, instead of starting with theory…we started with a story?

A remarkable story "the life of Vivienne Westwood".

From a childhood in wartime England…to a global designer and activist…

Her life becomes the lens through which students explore:

* who we are,
* what shapes us,
* and what happens when we challenge the rules.

Along the way, they encounter ideas like identity,
social expectations,
subcultures,
and social change…

not as abstract concepts, but as something lived.

And they don’t just learn…they create.

Designing, making, reflecting:
expressing ideas that matter to them.

They don’t need to know anything about her before they begin.
In fact, discovering her story is part of the journey.

This is for teens who are curious, creative,
and ready to see the world differently.

We start Thursday, May 11.30am (NZT)
6 weeks online: $150.00 (NZ)
Replays available so YOU can learn at your own pace

If this sounds like your teen,

Comment "WESTWOOD" below or send me a message for details.

What if your teen could learn sociology… without it feeling like “school”?What if the wonder of social sciences was brou...
14/04/2026

What if your teen could learn sociology… without it feeling like “school”?

What if the wonder of social sciences was brought to life!!

And instead of starting with theory, we started with a story...

A marvelous story of Vivienne Westwood.

In this course, we follow the life of Vivienne Westwood: From her childhood in wartime England through to becoming a global designer and activist.

Along the way, students are introduced to ideas like:
* socialisation
* gender roles
* social expectations (“social clocks”)
*deviance and subcultures
* identity, culture, and activism

And here’s what makes this different:

They don’t just learn the concepts…they see them in action through the lived experiences of a cultural icon.

And then they respond creatively:
✍️ designing
🧵 making
✍️reflecting
💥 expressing ideas that matter to them

Even if they don’t fully grasp every concept yet, the story maintains engagement and understanding builds over time.

It’s also a gentle introduction to:
📍 history (wartime Britain, punk era, modern activism)
📍 geography (how places shapes experience)
📍 critical thinking about the world around them

This is for teens who are:
✔ curious
✔ creative
✔ and ready to think a little differently about the world

If that sounds like your teen,

I’d love to have them join us.

Suitable for tweens/teens 11 and over.

Comment WESTWOOD below
or DM me and I’ll send you the details

Have you registered for Term Two?ONLINE COURSES in psychology and sociology.Enrollments open I'll pop the link in the co...
14/04/2026

Have you registered for Term Two?

ONLINE COURSES in psychology and sociology.

Enrollments open

I'll pop the link in the comments

01/04/2026

For those parents who did the Jane Goodall course... here's a little short snippet if you want to "spiral back" of the course in a very light way.

Show this video and have a little chat.

In our course we talked about old beliefs around tool use...ie how scientists used to belief that only humans used tools. Jane's research was fundamental in shifting this perception.

We also talked about attachment, family bonds and hunting.

and about "long term research" (longitudinal studies)

Sometimes a short video can spark an interesting conversation.

Enrolments are now open for Term Two. Here’s a quick overview to help you find the right fit:• Introduction to Psycholog...
25/03/2026

Enrolments are now open for Term Two. Here’s a quick overview to help you find the right fit:

• Introduction to Psychology: The Three Big Questions
Explore the big debates in psychology: Nature vs nurture, continuity vs change, and what makes you you.

• Psychology Through Different Lenses
One person, many explanations. Understand behaviour through developmental, social, cognitive, behaviourism, and humanism.

• Master Your Mind: Habit Edition
Build focus, motivation, and confidence using practical psychology tools and simple habit strategies. A natural next step for those who joined Master Your Mind in Term One, and a great place to start if your teen is ready to build strong habits for learning and life.

• Psychology Experiments
Discover the classic studies every psychology student should know and what they reveal about human behaviour.

• Vivienne Westwood: Applying the Sociological Imagination
Dive into identity, culture, rebellion, and social change through the life of one of fashion’s most iconic designers and environmental activists. Bold, creative, and thought-provoking. This is sociology brought to life.

• Who is Ophelia? (3 weeks)
Follow Ophelia across music, literature, and art. A creative, discussion-based course (perfect for Swifties).

If you're unsure which course is the best fit, feel free to comment or message me. I am here to help.

I’ll be travelling to Japan at the beginning of Term Two, so I’m opening enrolments now to ensure everything is set up and ready to go when we return.

I am a university lecturer… and I homeschool my daughter.I understand the desire to give your teen a rich, meaningful ed...
25/03/2026

I am a university lecturer… and I homeschool my daughter.

I understand the desire to give your teen a rich, meaningful education… AND the reality of trying to do everything yourself.

Planning… teaching… keeping them engaged… making sure they are actually learning it’s a lot to hold.

So here's a gentle reminder: you don’t have to do it all on your own.

Sometimes what makes the biggest difference isn’t more content…
it’s structure, consistency, and guided learning.

This is where I come in and support homeschool families.

Imagine having Psychology or Sociology supported for Term Two.

✔ Affordable, live, small-group classes your teen actually looks forward to
✔ Clear structure and progression each week
✔ Thought-provoking discussions (not worksheets)
✔ Replays available (so no stress if life gets busy)
✔ A supportive space where they can think, question, and grow

These courses are designed to help teens understand themselves, other people, and the world around them while building confidence in their thinking.

Courses on offer Term Two include:

• Introduction to Psychology: The Three Big Questions
• Psychology Through Different Lenses
• Master Your Mind: Habit Edition
• Psychology Experiments (the studies every student should know)
• Vivienne Westwood: Applying the Sociological Imagination
• Who is Ophelia? (a short creative course — perfect for Swifties)

I’ve spent over 20 years teaching psychology and sociology at university level, and now work with homeschool students to bring these subjects to life in a way that really connects.

If this feels like the kind of support your teen would benefit from, I’d love to hear from you.

DM me or comment below and we can find the best fit for your teen this term.

Feel free to share this with another homeschool family who might need this support.

p.s: You can find the time table pinned above and I will also drop it in the comments below

It’s happening…I’ll be running iGCSE Psychology in Term 2 for teens who want to explore psychology in a more engaging, d...
19/03/2026

It’s happening…I’ll be running iGCSE Psychology in Term 2 for teens who want to explore psychology in a more engaging, discussion-based way.

This is open to both homeschooled students and those attending school (as an after-school option).

I’m Tonya Russell, I’ve spent over two decades teaching psychology and human behaviour at university level also I design and deliver online courses for teens.

Psychology is a subject I genuinely love teaching, especially in smaller groups where students can really think, question, and engage.

This will be taught in a small group setting, which is where psychology really comes to life.

The structure will include:
🧠 1–2 live online classes per week
🧠 A balance of content, discussion, and exam preparation
🧠 Guided independent work between sessions

We’ll be working towards iGCSE, while also building something deeper. Helping students understand themselves, others, and the world around them

This is ideal for students who are:
• curious
• thoughtful
• open to discussion
• working towards iGCSE Psychology (or considering it)

I’m currently speaking with a small number of families and shaping the group for Term 2.

If you have a teen who might be interested, comment "ME" below or DM me.

And we can work out the next best step for you and your teen

Curious minds learn 🤍
Tonya

A snapshot of one of the reflection questions from an online psychology class I teach.It’s a simple question… but a powe...
15/03/2026

A snapshot of one of the reflection questions from an online psychology class I teach.

It’s a simple question… but a powerful one.

Psychology isn’t just about studying other people.
It’s also about learning to observe ourselves.

Think back 10 years.
What parts of you are still the same?
What parts have grown or changed?

Sometimes looking back helps us see just how much growth has actually happened.

Reflection is one of the most powerful learning tools we have

p.s: If you’d like to know more about the psychology and sociology courses I run for curious teens, feel free to reach out. I am here to help.

The timetable for Term 2 is pinned above, and I’ll also pop it in the comments below.

Curious minds learn.

13/03/2026

It was a rainy day.

My daughter and I had finished our learning activities, and I’d completed my morning tasks for my online courses and university work.

It was grey and dreary… but we decided to GO OUTSIDE.

We jumped in the car and drove to the beach.

While we were walking, we found a little stick covered in what looked like tiny shells. At first we thought they might be baby p**i.

I didn’t have my glasses, so we took a photo and popped it into ChatGPT to ask what they were.

It turns out they were goose barnacles — tiny ocean travellers that attach themselves to floating things and feed by filtering plankton from the water.

What started as a simple beach walk turned into a mini science inquiry right there on the sand with my phone.

Nature is full of wonder.

It offers endless questions… and sometimes technology can help us explore them even deeper.

A good reminder that curiosity is everywhere.

All it takes is stepping outside physically, or outside our current thinking and being open to learning something new.

Notice something interesting.

Ask a quality question.

After all… curious minds learn.

P.S. Google how goose barnacles feed — it’s pretty spectacular. We were WOWed.

And yes, we returned them to the sea so they could continue their travels.

Otherworldly to think this little group of lives spends its time bobbing around the ocean on a stick.

Nature is amazing.
Now I’m curious… what’s something interesting you’ve discovered outside recently?
Show me in the comments 👇

Address

Whangarei
0110

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 2pm - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 11:30am - 3pm
Saturday 11:30am - 3pm

Telephone

021 056 4954

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Are you are a cross roads in life? Not sure which way to turn? Or maybe you feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious or stress and are looking to create long lasting change? Then I can help you. Identify what you really want, map your goals, take inspired action towards your dreams. Call 021 056 4954 today for your FREE 15min consult.

Find out how we can work together. Create the life you love The time is NOW!

Change your mind. Change your life.

Coaching and more with Tonya Russell