“These lessons have been the miracle we needed.”
A fifth-grade student at a local elementary school in Tampa Bay was struggling at the beginning of the school year. “He refused to do his work, listen during instruction, and follow directions,” his teacher shared.
But something changed as the weeks went on.
Together with his teacher, Frameworks of Tampa Bay provided lessons and tools that taught him how to regulate his emotions. His teacher started using one of Frameworks’ feelings wheels to help him communicate his emotions to her.
She began to see what she describes as an 180-degree shift.
Today, the student’s mom keeps the feelings wheel from Frameworks on the dining room table. They use it together to talk about how he’s feeling and what he can do to manage his emotions.
During the 2025-26 school year, Frameworks served more than 7,600 students across Tampa Bay just like this one, through family workshops, school programming, mentor trainings, and teen leadership development designed to grow their emotional intelligence.
“Many of the challenging behaviors we see in schools are really children communicating the only way they know how. When kids experience big emotions, like frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, or overwhelm, without the tools to manage them, their reactions often get them into trouble. But when we teach students emotional intelligence skills and create school structures that support positive behavior, discipline incidents decrease. Students feel more successful, teachers feel more effective, and the entire school culture improves.”
— Becky Elliot, CEO, Frameworks of Tampa Bay
Every school year tells a story. This past year embodied what’s possible when we support teachers in helping their students build the emotional intelligence necessary to thrive in and out of the classroom.
Reaching More Students & the Trusted Adults Who Support Them
During the 2025-26 school year, Frameworks worked with parents, teachers, adult mentors, and students to bring emotional intelligence into as many classrooms and living rooms as possible. We define emotional intelligence as the critical skills necessary to navigate any emotion, conversation, or situation, no matter how difficult.
2025-26 School Year by the Numbers
“Frameworks has had a tremendous impact on our students, families, and staff, and their leadership has been a significant part of that success. We trust that every decision made will only create greater strength and stability. Academy Prep is incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with Frameworks. The work we do together has helped strengthen our school community and provided invaluable support to our families.”
— School director, Academy Prep Center of Tampa
Improving Student Behavior & Academic Outcomes
During the 2025-26 school year, Frameworks set an ambitious goal to achieve 50% of classroom teachers reporting an improvement in their students’ ability to self-regulate after implementing our programming.
Of the 185 school staff we surveyed, 81% tried an EQ strategy from a Frameworks workshop or coaching session and kept using it, with 82% reporting an improvement in their students’ ability to self-regulate — far exceeding our initial goal.
“I have one student with recurring behavior issues. The EQ strategies we’ve been practicing from Frameworks have given him more tools to deal with his emotions.”
— Kindergarten teacher, Broward Elementary
A Case Study from Twin Lakes Elementary
One of the more than 20 schools Frameworks partnered with during the 2025-26 school year was Twin Lakes Elementary in Tampa. In just one year working together, Twin Lakes’ principal reported strong growth in several key areas the school measures annually, which he believes is directly connected to their collaboration with Frameworks:
- School climate increased by 29 points to 76%, above the Hillsborough County average. School climate is the overall quality and character of school life, encompassing the physical, social, and psychological environment.
- Belonging, the extent to which students and staff feel that they are valued, respected, and connected members of their community, increased by 19 points.
- School leadership increased by 45 points to 83%. This refers to the quality of the working conditions, support, and relationships that principals and administrators provide to staff.
- Staff optimism about the school’s future reached 94% favorable.
“Our partnership with Frameworks has been a valuable part of our work at Twin Lakes as we continue rebuilding trust and strengthening relationships across our campus. We have seen positive shifts in staff morale, collaboration, and the overall climate of the school community.”
— Otis Kitchen, Principal, Twin Lakes Elementary School
Thriving Beyond the Classroom
In addition to partnering with parents and teachers, Frameworks also prepares teens to lead and succeed through our Teens In Action™ program. During the 2025-26 school year, we supported 111 high school students, providing opportunities to build leadership skills, volunteer in the community, and learn from community experts.
Here are just a few of the stories this year’s teens have shared with us, as many graduate ready to take on college and everything that comes next:
Emotional Intelligence Creates a Better Tampa Bay
Research shows that for every $1 invested in emotional intelligence programming, our community sees an $11 return. This year’s reach — more than 7,600 students, nearly 760 teachers, and 570 families — represents an investment in Tampa Bay that will pay forward for years to come.
The kids sitting in those classrooms are growing up in our neighborhoods right now, learning how to handle hard moments, build real relationships, and become the kind, collaborative, capable citizens our community needs. Soon, they’ll be in boardrooms, sitting at policy tables, and leading nonprofits. That’s what Frameworks is here for, but we can’t do it without you.
