William Glasser Institute Australia: Board Members

Board Members 2009-2010

Sylvia Habel     (President)
Sylvia is well versed in mental health, wellbeing and human behaviour issues. Her senior leadership experience in schools and at system level has put her in a position where she is widely consulted about complex problems needing immediate resolution and insight. Sylvia supports others to build the capacity to develop their own situation specific solutions.

Sylvia's professional study in Masters of Educational Leadership & Basic Week Instructor training with the William Glasser Institute has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the human psyche. With this knowledge she has the capacity to not only understand others' behaviour about unlocking their innate potential.

Sylvia believes..... "The world in general, is viewed from an external control paradigm. If we continue that thinking, the problems that exist will continue to be present. Through adopting an internal control view of the world, we can approach our dilemmas and challenges in a more effective way. The personal freedom that can be had through living by the principles of Choice Theory will permit us and enable us to break free of the entrapment of external control. I dream of a world where everyone is given the opportunity to learn about true personal freedom through Choice Theory; the freedom to become who you want to be. Only then can we co-exist as partners, teams, families and oragnaisations that behave responsibly, considerately and remain connected."

Dr Michael Bell (Training Officer)
Michael is a seasoned leader and accomplished change agent widely acknowledged for innate capacity to examine core issues, produce creative and realistic solutions, and inspire "buy-in" from key stakeholders. Michael has twenty years experience in education, consulting and professional training for both corporate and educational organisations. He has provided engaging, thought-provoking, pacey presentations. Participants describe their experience as having been inspiring, stimulating and fun. He expertly assists participants to create new knowledge through the synthesis of ideas.

Michael works as a consultant and trainer as well as contributing to Flinders University Post Graduate Leadership and Management Programs. He is passionate about leadership and what it can do for the world. His research and teaching is driven by expanding methods that improve human capacity. Choice theory, Reality therapy and Lead-Management do just that. Michael hopes to reach Certification next year and then go on to supervisor and instructor training.


		Peter Lacey (Fifth Director) Peter Lacey is a Basic Week Instructor who has twice previously served on the Board as a Regional Representative and Honorary Secretary. He was a teacher and administrator in the New South Wales Department of Education and Training for 34 years with a deep interest in students with behaviour disorders. This interest led him to the belief that Choice Theory is the most effective explanation of human behaviour and Reality Therapy is the most practical means of assisting oneself and others in constructing and implementing responsible, needs-satisfying strategies for living a productive life. During his teaching career, Peter taught in one teacher schools and rural and urban primary schools before moving into special education teaching students with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, and behaviour disorders. For 10 years Peter was the manager of student services for Lake Macquarie District with responsibility for the student welfare, special education and equity programs for 71 schools. Among other qualifications, Peter holds a Master in Special Education awarded by Newcastle University. Prematurely retiring from teaching in 2005 after falling off his bike Peter is currently working for Mission Australia as the coordinator and caseworker of a program for young offenders under supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice. He is committed to promoting the ideas and practices incorporated in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy as universally as possible and to serving the members of the WGI-A to the best of his ability.


		Sheryl Matwijkiw (Treasurer) Sheryl is a bookkeeper and currently working for a road construction company. Her roles include PA to the MD, completing all tax related requirements (payroll tax, IAS and SAS), work cover claims, accounts receivable, superannuation and managing a number of small subcontract business related to the company. Sheryl has been involved and continues to learn and practice Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management, since 1999. She continues to enjoy her role as Victoria Regional Rep for WGIA (4 years). She has completed Basic Week, Basic Practicum and Advanced Week Training. Sheryl attended the Australian International Conference in Sydney 2001, co-ordinated Dr Glasser's visit to Warragul in 2001 and Nancy Buck's workshop in 2002.


		John Cooper (Honorary Secretary) John Cooper completed 46 years as an educator and has been a principal since 1969. He proved to be a leader among education administrators having achieved, among other qualifications, Bachelor of Education 1985 and Master of Education 2001. From 2001/2002 he was Vice President (secondary) Northern Territory Principals Association and Member of Australian Secondary Principals' Association Executive. In 1998, his then current school, was selected as one of the 100 Australian Schools recognised as "Innovative and Best Practice" schools to contribute to research on change. Throughout his time at Anzac Hill High School, John focused on the holistic wellbeing of his school's community incorporating cultural understandings, Choice Theory and adopting a bilingual vision statement in the local language, Arrernte and English. John began his Choice Theory journey while studying at Flinders University in 1985. That work gave him the vision to create Anzac Hill High School (1987) based on Dr William Glasser's work in "Schools Without Failure". Choice Theory was pursued most vigorously for all staff early this century and before John's retirement he had ensured all staff members had completed Basic Intensive Training. John has a deep commitment to the creative arts and fostered the performing arts as part of school curriculum. John has extensive community interests including membership of Alice Spring Youth Arts Group Steering Committee guiding the organisation to incorporation as InCite Youth Arts. Some other community commitments include President of the Centralian Eisteddfod Council, President/Player of The Alice Springs Town Band and previously Member and President of the Araluen Arts Advisory Board. To prove he is a balanced person, he is currently Vice-President of School Sport Northern Territory and President of his Eagles Rugby Union Football Club. While working as a high school principal, John completed his Master of Education, majoring in Performance Management and gained Certificates in Reality Therapy (five years) and Investigations (Cert IV). Learning from these studies and training has proven invaluable for him in developing staff teams and running community groups. John is currently continuing his studies in Choice Theory.

		Lois Anderson (Immediate Past President) Lois Anderson has served in a voluntary capacity as chair, member, treasurer and executive officer in various organizations including educational authorities, a school council and a service organization. She is strongly committed to working together creatively and productively with all members of the Institute to achieve shared goals and to improve systems and programs. She realises that this is an on-going challenge where members undertake many of the operational tasks on a voluntary basis. She strives for continual improvement by listening, seeking feedback and self-evaluation. She is an Advanced Practicum Supervisor and has just completed Stage 2 training for Basic Intensive Week Instructor. She regularly attends and contributes to the local and national activities of the Institute. She holds a Master of Literary Studies [U of Q]. She began as a bank clerk and then became a primary teacher. Next she worked in socio-economically and geographically diverse secondary schools in Queensland as teacher, Head of Department [English], Deputy Principal and Principal. She has shared with staff, national, state, and local recognition for publications and quality programs including bullying reduction, giftedness and literacy. She has also worked in a family business. Currently, she is working part-time as an educational consultant and trainer. Lois has strong verbal, analytic and conceptual skills, which she has applied as Newsletter Editor. For 3 years so far, she has demonstrated her commitment to promoting Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and other ideas of Dr William Glasser to enable people to improve the quality of their personal and professional lives.

		Bette Blance (Newsletter Editor) Bette is an Advanced Practicum Supervisor and a member of the William Glasser Institute Australia and The William Glasser Institute New Zealand. Bette edits the Voice of Choice newsletter for the WGI-A and the Choice in Action for the WGI-NZ. Her passion is education, having been a teacher at primary and secondary schools both in New Zealand and Queensland. As a deputy principal in a large primary school on the Gold Coast she was able to implement lead management practices to develop a culture of acceptance of diversity and joy of learning at the school. As a part time lecturer at Griffith University since 1999, she has taught many final year undergraduate students Choice Theory and its applications to the classroom. Postgraduate students enrolled in a Masters course, the Collegial Organisation, are also exposed to the whole school application of Choice Theory, reality therapy and lead management as practised in the Glasser Quality School model. Bette was instrumental in having Certification accepted as one quarter of a Masters program at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.