Michel Thibeault

Athlete, Business leader, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Writer/Editor

With over 40 years of leadership in education and coaching, Michel has walked alongside hundreds of teachers and thousands of families navigating the challenges of children education. Michel’s mission is simple yet profound: to positively impact on the lives of one million children by reimagining how education nurtures both the mind and the heart. Whether it’s through school consulting, individual or small group coaching, his approach helps educators move from stress and conflict to calm and confidence so they can guide children with wisdom, patience, and love. What makes his work different? Michel blends mindfulness practices, neuroscience insights, and a deep understanding of how children learn and how to manage schools. This powerful combination helps prevent and resolve conflicts, leading educators to become the best version of themselves. This creates a ripple effect of resilience and joy in children’s lives. • Award-Winning Expertise o Education Expert of the Year – Thailand (Fluxx Events, 2025); o TEDx Speaker, Petaling Street, Malaysia (October 2024) o Leadership in Education Award – Dubai (2022). • Global Communicator: Can delivers programs in English, French, Spanish, and Thai. Michel’s journey spans every level of teaching from nursery to Grade 12, the principalship of a K–12 school in Canada, and 13 years as Primary Principal and Mindfulness Director at Panyaden International School in Thailand, where he worked with teacher to integrate mindfulness into everyday school life to support optimum wellbeing and positive school culture. His core belief is that we must first equip teachers and school leaders with the tools of a mindfulness-based approach to education before they feel confident guiding students through the process. Michel’s career also reflects a deep connection to nature and experiential education. In 2004, in Canada, he founded the Centre for Leadership and Adventure in Nature (CLAN). There, he designed and led outdoor programs and specialized camps for youth with behavioral challenges, learning differences, and giftedness. Michel’s journey, from coaching ice hockey at 17 to shaping the future of mindful education worldwide embodies his lifelong conviction: when adults thrive, children flourish.

Education, leadership, the environment, wellbeing

Reimagining Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU3I6PfHjb4&t=189s

Coaching, Education, Mindful parenting and teaching, Mindfulness

After watching countless TED talks online, I finally attended Chiangmai TEDx event in February 2024. The talks, the atmosphere, the conversations, everything was so inspiring. Little did I know that one lady I was talking with was the organisor of TEDx Petaling Street, in Kuala Lumpur. She was there with her team. After I gave them a tour of the school on a Sunday morning, they invited me to give a talk in KL in October 2024. That fantastic experience led me to join the Chiangmai organisers so I could pay it forward and help other speakers share their ideas. It was an honour to coach a few of those speakers for our November 15 event.