Online Courses with Tonya

21/02/2026

Week One is done.

The questions have started.
Students are already asking:

“What has shaped me most this far - nature or nurture?”

“Do people really change?”

“What makes someone unique?”

This is what happens when young people are given space to think.

We now have a fantastic group learning together for the next six weeks.

And the energy in the zoom tells me this is going to be something special.

If your tween or teen would benefit from:
• understanding themselves
• building confidence in their thinking
• learning psychology in a supportive, pressure-free space

You can still join. It's only $150 You can join live or use it as self directed study in your own time.

All sessions are recorded, so they can start from Week One and catch up easily.

Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones we almost miss.

p.s: Live classes happen during school hours Tues 11.30am (NZT)

DM me or comment below if you would like to join.

20/02/2026

These short clips from these Olympic athletes are excellent conversations seeds to share with our children and open up conversations around mindset

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AtUBjLfni/

18/02/2026

Is there a Swiftie in your house?

Have they ever wondered about the woman who inspired one of Taylor Swift’s latest songs, Elizabeth Taylor?

Many of us know Elizabeth Taylor for one thing:
She was married eight times.

Like Taylor Swift, her love life played out very publicly.

But there’s so much more to her story.

What we may not know is that Elizabeth Taylor:

• Began acting as a child and became one of the most famous women in the world

• Fought powerful film studios to take control of her career

• Earned record-breaking pay and changed the way actors were valued

• Became one of the first global celebrities to speak publicly about HIV/AIDS and raise millions for research

• Used her fame not just for glamour, but for impact

Behind the headlines was a woman navigating fame, identity, power, relationships, media pressure, and legacy.

And that’s where the real curiosity begins.

It’s a great question to explore with your young person:

💎Who is Elizabeth Taylor and what was it about her that inspired Tay Tay so much?

💎 Did she really have violet eyes?

Sometimes the spark for learning begins with something they already love.

Curiosity is the best place to begin.

Enrollments for a six-week online course on Elizabeth Taylor as open.

We start next week. 26th Feb

All live sessions are recorded, which means you can learn at your own pace - or join me live Thursdays 11.00am.

Comment below or DM me for more details

Curious minds learn.

I am so looking for the glamor and unbelievable strength and determination this woman had - what a legacy!

18/02/2026

Yesterday I received this message from a parent after one of my online classes.

“I just wanted to feedback how much "my daughter" (sic) LOVED your session today. It was super relevant and she hasn’t stopped researching since. Thank you so much.”

I was so delighted to read this. .. it genuinely warmed my heart.

This is exactly what I am aiming for.... to cultivate curiosity.

When curiosity is sparked, learning becomes easy.
Children don’t need pushing.
They follow their interests. They go deeper. They take ownership.

Just like us. We are hardwired to learn.

It’s a good reminder for us as parents and educators to pause and notice:

What does your child naturally light up when they talk about it?

What do they choose to explore when no one is asking them to?

Our role isn’t to force motivation; it’s to notice the "spark" and gently nurture it.

When curiosity leads, learning follows.

Curious minds learn.

12/02/2026

Last chance to enrol. We start next week!!!!

Term 1 is the perfect time for students to get clear about their goals and put practical strategies in place for the year ahead.

Master Your Mind is like a toolkit, a roadmap, and a user guide for the brain, helping students learn how to:
• Get started (even when they don’t feel like it)
• Manage their time and stay focused
• Build habits that actually stick
• Grow confidence in how they approach their learning

Details
📅 Starts next week | 6 weeks
🕒 Live weekly sessions (NZT)
🌐 Online via Zoom (recordings available)
💻 Resources and support through Google Classroom
💰 Investment: $150

Start the year with clear goals, practical tools, and a mindset that supports success.

Enrolments close Friday 13 Feb

This is the final call to secure a place. The next live course does not run until end of May.

Dm me or comment below for more details

10/02/2026

TERM ONE PSYCHOLOGY CLASS START NEXT WEEK

There's still time to enroll!

Psychology Courses — Term 1 Overview
This term, I’m offering three psychology courses, each with a slightly different focus. Some students take just one, while others choose to combine them depending on their interests and learning goals.

🧠 Introduction to Psychology: The Three Big Questions (6 weeks)
Tuesdays 11:00am–12:00pm (NZT)
Starts 17 February | $150

This course provides a foundational introduction to psychology, organised around the three core dilemmas all psychologists grapple with:

* Nature vs nurture — what shapes us?

* Continuity vs change — do we stay the same or change over time?

* Universality vs individuality — are we all alike, or are we unique?

It’s ideal for students who enjoy ideas, discussion, and understanding why people think, feel, and behave as they do. This course builds conceptual thinking and is a strong entry point into psychology.

🧠 Psychology Through Different Lenses (6 weeks)
Tuesdays 12:30pm–1:30pm (NZT)
Starts 17 February | $150

This course explores human behaviour through the major schools of psychology, helping students compare and contrast different ways psychologists explain behaviour.

We explore questions such as:
Why do we repeat habits?
How do thoughts shape emotions?
Why do some goals feel exciting while others feel like pressure?

Students are introduced to different ways of thinking and learn how to analyse behaviour through multiple perspectives. Ideal for students who like theory and critical thinking.

Master Your Mind: CBT Strategies for Success & Learning (6 weeks)
Wednesdays 11:30am–12:30pm (NZT)
Starts 18 February | $150

Master Your Mind is more applied and skills-based than the two courses above. Rather than focusing on theory, it gives students practical tools they can use immediately for learning and for life.

Drawing on CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) principles and neuroscience, students learn how thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and habits are connected, and how to work with their minds more effectively.

Across the six weeks, students learn how to:

manage procrastination and avoidance

improve focus and time management

reduce stress, anxiety, and self-doubt

build motivation without pressure or perfectionism

create habits that are realistic, sustainable, and supportive

Many families choose Master Your Mind as a foundation course for Term 1, as it helps students set up supportive routines and mindsets that carry across the rest of the year.

Other courses on offer this term:
Who is Ophelia? 3 week Mini Series starts 18 Feb Wed 10.00am
Elizabeth Taylor 6 weeks starts 26 Feb Thurs 11.00am
Intro to Sociological Imagination 11 March 4 weeks Wed 10.00am

DM me for details and let's get you enrolled,

Here's to curious minds learning

06/02/2026

Researching Elizabeth Taylor for our up coming course.

Enjoying little throw backs like this TV advert for White Diamonds.

Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds

02/02/2026

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY: 3 Big Questions

Enrollments are filling up quickly

I want to make sure you don't miss this opportunity

Introduction to Psychology: 3 Big Questions starts Tuesday 17th Feb

In this six week online course we dive into the three big questions at the heart of psychology:

🧠 Nature or nurture?
⏳ Do we change or stay the same?
🔍 How unique are we really?

We explore how psychologists think about human behavior, and how you can start thinking like one too.

This course is perfect for curious teens who love asking “why?” and want to better understand themselves, others, and the world around them.

It also supports critical thinking a key skill for life and future study.

All live calls are recorded and available for replay in our Google classroom. It's only $150.00 (NZ).

Payment plans are available (I know what the start of term can be like with all the expenses)

Reach out if you have any questions. DM me if you would like to enrol.

Alternatively, email at tonyarussellcoaching@gmail.com for more details


P.S. I’m Tonya Russell, M. Soc Sci (Hons), a long-time (over 20 years) university lecturer in psychology, sociology, and CBT.

I now teach online courses that help homeschooled teens and curious adults explore big ideas, build real-world thinking skills, and develop a love for lifelong learning.

30/01/2026

✨ Don’t just take my word for it…
Here’s what parents and students are saying about my online courses 💬
They’re thoughtful.
They’re practical.
They spark curiosity and build real-life skills.
If your teen is ready to think critically, ask quality questions, and see learning differently — this is for them.
📚 New courses start soon! Swipe to read what others have loved, then jump into this term's lineup.

30/01/2026

Did you know?
Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic "violet" eyes weren’t just about colour.
She was born with a second row of eyelashes!

Nature provided
Hollywood Nurtured

Learn how to apply psychological and sociological concepts and ideas to Her Story in Term 1 Elizabeth Taylor online course.

Starts:
Thursday 11.00am (NZT)
Feb 26

ENROLMENTS: Are Now Open