Luminara Academy
Empowering individuals with mental resilience and practical skillsets to navigate tomorrow’s world!
We help build character
In a world that increasingly prioritizes technology, the ability to genuinely connect with others has never been more crucial, yet, it’s an area where many struggle. The constant use of screens has led to a growing sense of disconnection, making it harder for young people especially to form meaningful relationships. Whether it’s navigating complex emotions, resolving conflicts, or working effectively in teams, the lack of interpersonal skills can create barriers to success both in school and in life.
Without these skills, the youth of today find themselves feeling isolated, misunderstood, or lacking the confidence to step into leadership roles.
Our Humble Foundations
As an educator working across eight post-secondary institutions around the world, I’ve witnessed firsthand how students struggle with soft skills like emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration, skills that are critical yet can’t be fully covered in traditional education. I saw students who were academically strong but lacked the tools to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, or work effectively with others. After discovering the power of these skills in my own career, I realized this approach was key to helping students not only succeed academically but thrive personally and professionally
At Luminara Academy, we focus on building character through the development of emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication. By teaching individuals how to manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and work collaboratively, they’ll gain the tools to thrive in both personal and professional environments.
what we do
Luminara Academy
Prepare You For Tomorrow
We equip participants with essential, real-world skills needed to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving world.
Instill Holistic Learning
Our programs are designed to plant seeds of adaptability, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, leadership, cultural understanding that will allow participants to flourish in their daily lives.
Go Beyond the Classroom
We offer engaging, hands-on learning that goes beyond traditional education, focusing on practical skills and progressive mindsets.
Cultivate Collaboration
Our programs emphasize the importance of teamwork and effective communication, key competencies in today’s digital world.
Create Future Leaders
We’re dedicated to empowering our participants to become leaders, innovators, and responsible change-makers of tomorrow.
Provide Cutting-Edge Education
We stay ahead of educational trends, ensuring lifelong personal and professional growth for our participants.
Examples of Our Offerings
We operate and conduct programs in Canada and Hong Kong
We operate in Canada and Hong Kong
other services
Hong Kong
Empower Your Growth & Development with Skills of the Future!
Build your Mental Resilience in a world dominated by AI. Transform your future with Luminara Academy’s unique programs. We help you cultivate:
- Emotional Intelligence: Learn how to understand, manage your emotions and build effective relationships.
- Leadership: Grow the skills that make you the leader that inspires, develops and empowers others.
- Communication: Learn the tips and tricks of verbal and non-verbal communication. Leverage EQ to understand how to shift your communication style in response to different situations.
- Confidence: Build the confidence to showcase your strengths and open up the door of possibilities.
- Resilience & Mindset: Develop the courage and mindset to push through the challenges and fulfil your potential!
- Time-Management: Get organized and learn the strategies to prioritize to get things done efficiently!
Testimonials
Reviews From Happy Learners
We’re dedicated to empowering our youth with holistic, practical skillsets to navigate tomorrow’s world. Here, you’ll discover inspiring stories from our students and parents, highlighting the transformative impact of our educational approach.
Discovery Zone
The heart of curiosity and exploration at Luminara Academy. Here, we’ve curated an enriching collection of resources, thought-provoking articles, and insights from our very own blog. This space is designed to spark curiosity, facilitate deep dives into the world of essential life skills, and offer fresh perspectives on holistic development for young kids.
Unlock your brilliance at Luminara Academy!
Who’s It For?
We offer programs for individuals of all ages, beginning from the ages of 9 to young adults and those in early stages of their career!
What Do We Offer?
Cultivating mindset and interpersonal skills – the currencies of tomorrow’s world.
Why Join Us?
The future is unpredictable, but your ability to navigate it doesn’t have to be.
Why Act NOW?
In today’s rapidly evolving world, schools and universities face increasing pressure to prepare students not just academically, but for life beyond the classroom. Failing to invest in essential life skills like emotional intelligence, leadership, and conflict resolution can leave students unprepared for real-world challenges.
The cost of doing nothing is clear: students who lack these critical skills may struggle with interpersonal relationships, workplace dynamics, and leadership roles. Over time, this can lead to higher dropout rates, increased stress and anxiety, and lower overall student success.
But the impact doesn’t stop there, teachers and student services bear the brunt of these challenges. As more students struggle with emotional regulation, collaboration, and problem-solving, educators face higher levels of stress, while student services are overwhelmed with providing additional support. This strain ultimately affects the learning environment and student outcomes, leading to burnout among staff and decreased institutional effectiveness.
Doing it yourself or doing it wrong can also lead to missed opportunities and wasted resources. Without the right tools, educators may find it difficult to effectively teach these skills, leaving gaps in students’ development. This not only impacts the student’s future but can affect the reputation of the institution as a leader in holistic education.
At Luminara Academy, we aim to partner with schools and universities to bridge this gap, ensuring students graduate with both the academic and interpersonal skills needed to thrive in today’s world. The right investment now sets students, educators, and your institution up for long-term success.
Meet the Founder
Welcome! My name is Michelle Machado
The driving force behind Luminara Academy. As a mother of two, my children are my world, and like any parent, I envision a future for them filled with endless possibilities. My life’s journey has taken me through six countries, each introducing me to diverse cultures, beliefs, and experiences that have deeply shaped my perspective and purpose.
Holding a PhD in Education and an Executive MBA, I’ve accumulated over 15 years of extensive, hands-on experience in various educational environments around the world, from Australia to Hong Kong, and the UK to Canada. My academic journey and professional career have been driven by one relentless pursuit: to understand and foster the holistic development of young minds.
But it was motherhood, coupled with my global experiences, that led to a significant insight — our current educational systems are missing something elemental. Yes, STEM skills are key, but they’re only part of the equation. Our kids need more to truly thrive in a world where human skills are just as important as technical abilities. They need resilience to overcome challenges, empathy to forge connections, adaptability to embrace change, and cultural sensitivity to find their place.
This revelation was the starting point of Luminara Academy. I established this platform as a guiding light for parents seeking more for their children; more depth, more understanding, more skills that prepare them for life. At Luminara, we’re committed to bridging this gap, offering programs that integrate essential life skills with the ability to think ahead and adapt. We’re not just preparing kids for tomorrow’s careers; we’re nurturing resilient, empathetic, and globally conscious individuals ready for life’s beautifully unpredictable journey.
Join me at Luminara Academy. Together, let’s shape a future where our children are equipped to lead, innovate, and inspire, no matter what the future holds.
Summer Programs 2024
Foundational skills for Pre-Teens (9-12)
Our week-long adventure is crafted to instill vital life skills through fun, interactive, and hands-on activities. Focused on nurturing communication, teamwork, resilience, and emotional literacy, this program is the stepping stone your child needs to confidently navigate the complexities of growing up in today’s fast-paced world.
Key Learnings/Takeaways:
- Effective Communication: Cultivate the art of expressing thoughts clearly and listening actively.
- Teamwork: Learn the importance of collaboration and contributing to a group effectively.
- Resilience: Develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks with a positive attitude.
- Emotional Literacy: Gain a better understanding of their own emotions and those of others’, including how to build empathy. n how to connect with others and empathize.
EQ-Led Leadership (13-18)
Our one-week program is designed for young individuals eager to step into the realm of leadership with an edge. This unique program intertwines the core principles of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) with essential leadership skills, communication, and teamwork, creating a well-rounded learning experience for participants.
- Understanding Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Discover how emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of impactful leadership, blending self-awareness with empathy and social skills.
- Leadership Styles Exploration: Uncover unique leadership style and learn how to adapt it to various team dynamics and situations.
- Effective Communication Skills: Develop the art of active listening, constructive feedback, and persuasive communication, essential for any leader.
- Conflict Resolution Strategies: Gain practical strategies to effectively navigate and resolve conflicts with emotional intelligence.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Experience the value of teamwork and learn collaborative skills crucial for successful leadership.
- Personal Leadership Development: Reflect on and develop your personal leadership style, identifying strengths and areas for growth.
Smart Skills Toolkit (10-15)
Our program is an innovative blend of key skills and knowledge areas vital for success in the digital age. Aimed at teenagers, ‘Smart Skills Toolkit’ offers a comprehensive curriculum covering Financial Literacy, Digital Citizenship, Time Management, Health & Wellness, and Project Management.
Key Learnings/Takeaways:
- Financial Acumen: Explore money mindset, earning, saving, smart budgeting and spending.
- Digital Wisdom: Gain insights on digital safety, responsible internet use, and managing social media’s impact on mental health.
- Effective Health and Wellness: Explore physical health, nutrition, mental well-being, stress management, and mindfulness habits.
- Time Management: Develop strategies for prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and balancing various aspects of life.
- Project Management Essentials: Learn bascis of project planning and execution.
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Your thoughts and inquiries are valuable to us. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to learn more about Luminara Academy, we’re here to connect. Reach out, and let’s start a conversation that could shape the future of holistic education. By submitting this form, you will be automatically added to our mailing list.
Parent
5 star google review