I had the privilege of working with Sophia Kierstead Abbass while hosting the Centre of Excellence Health, Youth Mental Health Symposium in 2023. I was truly inspired by Sophia, one of the Keynote speakers for the event.
Sophia's presentation was nothing short of exceptional, and it left a lasting impact on both the students, teachers, New Brunswick EECD education staff and attendees. Sophia's ability to engage the young audience was truly remarkable. Throughout her presentation, she captivated the students' attention and kept them fully engaged from start to finish. Her dynamic and interactive speaking style made the complex topic of mental health not only understandable, but also relatable to ALL teens. Sophia's passion for the subject matter is unmistakable, and her genuine care about the well-being for young minds is inspirational. Sophia's commitment was evident as she went above and beyond to engage with the youth attending the event. She created a keychain for each student that not only served as a memento of the event, but also featured her positive mental health tips and techniques. This thoughtful gesture demonstrated Sophia's dedication to empowering youth and providing the tools needed to help navigate the challenges of mental health in today’s world 😊
In conclusion, Sophia's contribution to the Centre of Excellence for Health Youth Mental Health Symposium 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. Her passion, dedication, and ability to connect with the audience was truly inspiring. Sophia is a beacon of light in the field of youth mental health, and I look forward to her future contributions in this critical area.
I first heard Sophia Rae speak at a weekend seminar that her parents were hosting and I knew that she was someone that would resonate strongly with my junior and senior high school students.
She came to share her story at my school and, afterwards, the overwhelming majority of students spoke positively about her story and how much she resonated with them! Her vulnerability, strength, and ability to easily connect with her audience balanced with her storytelling skills and professionalism make her a must-see speaker for anyone who has experienced trauma.
Owen Vouri, Elementary Teacher at North Queens Community School
I had the absolute pleasure of hearing Sophia speak at the Canadian Yoga in Schools Summer Conference on the topics of trauma and mindfulness.
My professional development over the past 25 years usually involved interactions with other adults, in-depth research studies, or engaging with experts in their field of study. I could not have been more genuinely surprised and grateful to hear Sophia speak. She demonstrated remarkable poise, professionalism, and genuine care on the topics of trauma and mindfulness through her lived experiences. Her heart felt and in depth knowledge strengthened my beliefs on the importance of student voice. Please! Do yourself a favor, and listen to Sophia speak if you get the opportunity. She will help you understand the impact trauma can have on our youth, but more importantly take you on a journey of how trauma can be successfully navigated through mindfulness.
Sophia is a brilliant and resilient speaker who will touch any audience lucky enough to listen to her speak. Thank you Sophia for displaying such professionalism, so early, in what will be a bright career and helping me better understand these difficult topics so I can better support the students in my school.”
- Jerome Stewart Principal H.M. MacDonald Elementary School
I had the pleasure of hosting Sophia as a guest speaker in my second year B. Ed class, ‘ Social, and Emotional Learning’ at Mount Saint Vincent University.
At that time, as a young adolescent she spoke authentically and honestly about the critical role teachers play and understanding the social and emotional needs of their students. Her presentation captivated my education students, who were not only thoroughly engaged, but also left with valuable insights. Sophia’s passion and unique perspective, even as a young teenager, adds a compelling and influential voice to the conversation on social and emotional learning. I wholeheartedly endorse her ongoing efforts to promote understanding and awareness in this field. Sophia’s dedication and knowledge continue to make a meaningful impact on educators and students alike. Keep up the fantastic work, Sophia.”
- Catherine Rahey
