about us
OUR MISSION: To promote the integration of meditative psychology within institutional operations to promote the development of wisdom, creativity, and emotional wellness. We equip people with the tools they need to open the unique potentials they and others have to make the world better for themselves and their communities.
OUR VISION: To ignite and promote a revolution in education to elevate human consciousness.
OUR VISION: To ignite and promote a revolution in education to elevate human consciousness.
our team
OPM began its first workshop presentations for the integration of meditative psychology into educational settings in 2009, and since has conducted academic and professional training in 9 countries.
STEVE LAWRENCE has been a teacher and therapist in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and China. Steve acquired a bachelor in Social Studies Education and a master’s in Education. He was an instructor of a range of subjects within the humanities and psychology, as well as a graduate instructor in education. Prior to becoming a teacher, Steve owned and operated a contracting company in New York. He is currently completing the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Saybrook University with a focus in transpersonalism and meditative practices as treatment.
Steve was introduced to meditation at the American Meditation Institute in Upstate New York. Once a teacher, it was how meditative practices belong in education, so Steve immediately set out to share these ideas with his students, colleagues, and clients. Steve has retired from classroom teaching and resides in Upstate New York where he focuses on the development of OPM and his therapy practice.
Steve was introduced to meditation at the American Meditation Institute in Upstate New York. Once a teacher, it was how meditative practices belong in education, so Steve immediately set out to share these ideas with his students, colleagues, and clients. Steve has retired from classroom teaching and resides in Upstate New York where he focuses on the development of OPM and his therapy practice.
ILIANA LOURIE is passionate about student learning and wellbeing. She moved from her home country of Guatemala to the USA to earn a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and was driven by the desire to understanding the processes of the mind. Iliana has served in education for 16 years as an instructional coach and technology coordinator, a teacher, and a champion for student social-emotional learning. She has taught Math, Science, and Technology in a variety of settings and grade levels ranging from Primary to High School in private and public charter schools in Georgia, USA as well as public and international schools in China.
During her time as a teacher, she developed programs for differentiation to meet the needs of all learners and implemented meditation in the classroom to aid with attention and well-being. As an instructional coach, she has promoted classroom practices that are student-centered, keeping meditation at the core of planning. Iliana has leveraged her MEd in Instructional Technology to reimagine our classrooms.
During her time as a teacher, she developed programs for differentiation to meet the needs of all learners and implemented meditation in the classroom to aid with attention and well-being. As an instructional coach, she has promoted classroom practices that are student-centered, keeping meditation at the core of planning. Iliana has leveraged her MEd in Instructional Technology to reimagine our classrooms.
MONICA GONZALES SANDIFER is a veteran educator with a Master’s in Education, is a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) coach, a certified yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner and engages in the ancient art of Tibetan Bowl sound healing. Born and raised in La Paz, Bolivia in the Andes, Monica brings many years of valuable experiences both in and outside of the field of education to meet her clients where they’re at. Monica has been instrumental in implementing mindfulness programs within the schools she has worked, and this experience stems from her training both in India under Guruji Satya as well as her training under the Palouse school of mindfulness. As a former ballerina Monica appreciates the power of movement as therapy and the myriad of ways wellness can be incorporated into the lives of children and adults within a school setting. She is looking forward to working with you!