“‘Education & Wellness, using Arts & Science to bring forth mindfulness, clarity and creativity’”
Sheila Anwari
Founder & President
Therapeutic Arts Science and Growth Mindset (TASGM)
Sheila founded Therapeutic Arts Science and Growth Mindset aka (TASGM)
an acronym her children chose, with the intention of spreading education, and showing that wellness can be found within the realms of arts & science. She also wanted to share that meditation can be done in different ways and not needing to following only one discipline of meditation, which may not work for everyone. ‘The arts are already therapeutic, but if we can show individuals how to use the already existing tools we have within reach to help practice releasing anxiety and stress, wouldn’t you want to learn how to do this in a fun way?
Growing up Sheila spent a considerable amount of time babysitting and a lot of her teen years were spent volunteering at children’s camps and Reston Hospital. Being the oldest child and oldest cousin in a large family, she needed to find creative ways to entertain them. She took on many leadership roles in High School and College and while growing her post collegiate career, she ended up in Technology Project Management. She has taught pres-school, teens, and adults in many subjects, but her journey led to the idea of TASGM.
With a variety of experiences and skills including being a Reiki Master Teacher and Integrated Energy Therapy Practitioner, Sheila has focused on growing TASGM as a Therapeutic Art Life Coach. In 4 years, and what began as a small experiment, TASGM has grown and evolved. Sheila also designs, executes, pilots, shares and accepts feedback for all the workshops and curriculum. Her background education includes a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University and an MBA in Technology Management where she has used her science background and experience to modify workshop curriculum to include more science related curriculum and loves to demonstrate that the idea that art and science go hand in hand. She is passionate about teaching meditation, mindful-ness and the value of using art & science as tools to help free minds from stress, anxiety and negative thoughts. Most of all she enjoys the workshops because they are also designed to help invoke creativity and imagination, encourage confidence and motivation and to inspire ideas and curiosity and to have fun while learning.
Sara Sharifi
Developmental Psychologist & Lead Instructor
Sara is passionate about making a difference in the community, especially children and teens lives. She is doing so by helping them explore their creativity and teaching self confidence and emotional self regulation. She has a master’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and years of experience teaching all ages, K-12 and college students. She also has extensive experience working with survivors of brain injury. Sara has worked with students with a variety of social and emotional needs both in the classroom and in the foster care system. Her mission is to provide a safe space (or therapeutic environment) for healing and emotional growth.
Zayna Osmani
Lead Instructor
Zayna finds joy in the arts and science. She has participated in TASGM activities since its inception 3 years ago. She continued as a volunteer in the program, helping other participants. And now she is a lead instructor. One of her favorite curriculums to lead is the Poetry & Storytelling workshops. Her dream is to pursue a degree in Psychology and to help others learn tools to help with stress management. Zayna enjoys music and creative writing and hopes to include her own creative curriculum for TASGM!
Ryan
Assistant Instructor & Mentor
Meet Ryan, a remarkable 14-year-old who dedicates his after-school hours and summers to being an assistant instructor and mentor at the Therapeutic Arts Science and Growth Mindset (TASGM) program. Passionate about making a difference, Ryan leads movement meditation sessions, guiding his group to find inner peace and focus. His empathetic nature shines through as he works one-on-one with students who need extra support, using therapeutic arts and science projects to boost their confidence and creativity. Ryan’s commitment to helping others and his leadership skills make him an invaluable part of the TASGM team.
“If you could learn in a way that also helps you heal, would you?”
— anonymous
