Testimonials
I cannot recommend Libby Edmonds and her guidance through the “Teaching with the Heart in Mind” course enough. This experience has been truly transformative for my career. I originally signed up for this course during a period where I felt deeply disconnect from my students. I was looking for a way to bridge that gap, and I found so much more than just curriculum strategies. Through this programme, I gained invaluable insights, encouragement, and a genuine sense of support from a community of fellow educators who were facing similar challenges. What sets Libby apart is the deeply personal support she offers. She doesn’t just facilitate a course; she invests in people. From meeting up for coffee to discuss my progress to always being a quick message away with words of encouragement, her hands-on approach made me feel seen and valued as a professional. Because of Libby’s mentorship, I have been inspired and equipped with the practical tools needed to reach my students more effectively, reach out to my colleagues with confidence and perhaps the most importantly, understand myself better. This experience has profoundly enriched my teaching practice and revitalized my passion for education.
-Barbara Warner-Smith - Micklefield Girls School Cape Town
“I think it’s amazing that you are making emotions a priority.”
“Thank you for taking the time to come and open up our HEARTS & MINDS today.”
“Informative, Insightful, broadened my thinking in this space.”
“A fantastic workshop for the beginning of the year motivation.”
— PARTICIPANTS AT Build Q WORKSHOP, THE WYKEHAM COLLEGIATE, JAN 2025
“Embarking on the EQ journey has been life changing. The course material as well as the practical implementation of skills learnt has awakened a sense of purpose in understanding and altering emotional responses to situations in a more effective and thoughtful way. To invest in this course is to reap a lifetime of success and personal growth.”
— CATHERINE, TEACHER
“The Eqlibrium Course and Libby came at just the right time for me, during a very stressful period in my life I have been able to work through obstacles and understand how emotions and reactions play such an influential role in our lives. Just but delving deeper the outcome has bought perspective and inner joy that my busy, frenetic life took away from me. Libby has been amazing, her calm and warm demeanour has allowed me to open my eyes and breathe! I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to get more out of life!”
— CAROLYN, BUSINESS OWNER/WIFE/MOTHER
“On behalf of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, we would like to thank you for the contributing to the 2019 Circles of Excellence/Entrepreneurial Schools Initiative: Re-imagine Education. Taking into consideration feedback received from the delegates, we are delighted by the success of the event.
As such, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your contribution as a speaker at the event. Your contribution made this event a great success and your enthusiasm and commitment to the Foundation assisted us in executing a great outcome. We wish you all the best and hope that you continue to be engaged with the Allan Gray foundation in the future.”
“The delegates enjoyed Libby Edmonds workshop on Emotional Intelligence. It was well received, insightful and informative. The unlocking EQ was totally beneficial. Participants would love to work through more EQ programmes for personal growth. Delegates were empowered with EQ knowledge and skills to take back to practice in their lives as well as in their classroom.”
— ANNE PILLAY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, NAPTOSA KZN.
“To nurture young people to be productive and emotionally-sensitive individuals, one needs to focus ones attention on Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Libby is a voice of reason in this regard. Her willingness to engage on both a professional and personal level, makes her an ideal facilitator on EQ. It was therefore without hesitation that South African Principals Association (SAPA) KZN incorporated a workshop on EQ into our year of leadership workshops. For principals and deputies to lead brain safe and nurturing schools, it needs to start with us.
Libby took us on a journey into ourselves whilst making us aware of our connectedness with each other. She explored the cycle of EQ in action, starting with ‘Knowing yourself’ with lead to sensitivity and awareness of the people that you interact with. This in turn, leaded to a raised awareness and purposeful existence with a ‘Nobel goal.’ In a country and by extension the world, where we are digitally connected, but we don’t relate with each other, Libby’s workshop was a welcomed missing piece of the puzzle.
When school leaders are self-aware and lead with a purpose I, they will then lead institutions that nurture these qualities in our young people and future citizens. I highly recommend this workshop for both personal and professional development of learners, staff and school leaders.”
— LINDA SHEZI, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL NEW FOREST HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTH AFRICAN PRINCIPALS ASSOCIATION KZN PRESIDENT.
“I was immediately interested in finding out more about EQ after bumping into a colleague of mine from another school. I contacted Libby and the rest is history.
Libby came to our school and gave a presentation on EQ. She is a very articulate person and shared so much of her own experiences and journeys in her life. Everyone could identify with some part of what Libby was sharing. The whole concept of EQ appealed to me further and as Deputy Principal of the Junior Primary phase I set money aside from our Staff Development Programme fund. Each teacher did the self-evaluation and this culminated in a feedback session with Libby.
My staff were so enthused by the feedback that they individually received, that we then extended the offer to assess the entire staff at school.
I did the online evaluation as a manager and what I learnt about my strengths and where I need to develop further has been truly insightful. Libby is very passionate about the EQ programme and has unbelievable insight and knowledge of this subject. Her enthusiasm and commitment has been remarkable.
The sense of empowerment, affirmation and self-worth is in a nutshell what EQ did for me.”
— DEBBIE SIDEY, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL MERCHISTON, JP
“I decided to work with Libby after attending one of her informative EQ talks. Libby has great information and insights to share with her clients. Working with Libby has helped me re-frame my goals. I have a better understanding of my triggers and I’ve developed an understanding of how emotions play a role in my life. I finally have a clearer sense of what my Nobel goal looks like! Libby, is insightful and caring, if you get the opportunity to work with her you will benefit greatly.”
— CLARE, PIETERMARITZBURG
“Reflecting on the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) course I attended this year, I’m incredibly grateful for the bi-weekly sessions, the insightful readings and the enriching group reflections. A special thank you to Libby for her exceptional SEL coaching skills-her expertise truly made this experience transformative.”
— SINOXOLO NDLOVU, PROJECT MANAGER MENTOR & HUB LEAD AT KHANYISA INANDA SEMINARY COMMUNITY PROJECTS (KICP)
“The Positive Intelligence mental fitness programme has truly been an incredible learning journey. This programme has enabled me to envision a life that's radically different from my previous one, propelling me out of mere survival mode and into a space where I can truly flourish. The transformative work we engaged in during this programme pushed me to reshape my self-perception and empowered me to boldly pursue my dreams, especially the ones that terrify me. I was entrenched in a stagnant routine, and it's incredibly refreshing to now feel like I have the capacity to infuse vibrant colours into a life that was at risk of becoming monotonous.”
— GUGU RADEBE, EDUCATOR AND SEL COACH, LINC FOUNDATION
“Libby has been involved with the children at Kenosis by conducting EQ workshops over a period of several months. The children have found the sessions to be most beneficial as they have learned important life lessons, whilst having fun at the same time. It has been both interesting and encouraging to notice the children's increased involvement and willingness to share, as they have enjoyed their interactions and learnt to trust Libby as an insightful facilitator.
Significantly, the topic of how to handle trauma and deal with one's emotions in stressful and difficult times, coincided with the very week the major unrest and murder of an Eastwood pupil was unfolding. The majority of the Kenosis children attend Eastwood Secondary School. They found the material relevant and helpful.
Libby ended the year with the Pop-Up Festival on World's Children Day. This proved to be hugely popular with all ages of children as they gained experience in role-play, questioning, listening and having opportunities to share understanding of their different emotions. It was noticeable how each child had gained in confidence and become more relaxed about sharing in group settings as their relationship with the facilitators grew and developed.
The day ended with a wonderful party and great "spoiling’s" for the children who were willing participants. Sincere thanks to you Libby, for all your time, energy and expertise so readily and generously shared. You have made a difference!”
— MARK & MOIRA EMERSON
“Libby Edmonds is an insightful and compassionate coach. Her intuitive yet structured approach created the balance I needed to reflect, grow, and make meaningful shifts. Libby truly sees her clients and brings her full humanity to the coaching process, which helped me move from limited awareness to real insight and tangible changes in my day-to-day performance. The combination of Libby’s personal approach and the depth of the programme was genuinely transformative at a time when I needed it most.”
— CAROLINE POWELL, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & COACH