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.

The Story Behind the Role

Q: You spent 25 years as a teacher and assistant principal in schools across Tampa Bay. How does your experience in the classroom help you in your CEO role at Frameworks?

Becky: My many years as a teacher and assistant principal taught me something that continues to guide my work every day: kids learn best when they feel like they belong.

I know firsthand how hard it is to be a teacher and a school leader. There are always competing demands, limited resources, and never enough time. But I also learned that when we invest time in students’ emotional development, everything else becomes possible.

Children reach their full potential when they feel known, valued, and connected to a community. They need to feel safe enough to ask questions, take risks, make mistakes, and try again. They need trusted adults who see them, believe in them, and are there when they need support. They need consistency, predictability, and opportunities to build confidence and independence.

That’s why I am so passionate about emotional intelligence. When students learn to understand and manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, show empathy, and solve problems, they are better equipped for school and life.

As CEO of Frameworks, I bring both my experience and my heart to this work. I believe schools can intentionally create the conditions that help young people thrive. Supporting students’ social and emotional growth takes time, but it’s the most essential work that makes all the other learning possible.

Q: Most people know that emotional intelligence is a good thing, but many don’t see it as critical as academic success. What exactly is emotional intelligence, and why is it the sole focus of everything you do at Frameworks?

Becky: When people hear the term emotional intelligence, or EQ as it’s commonly referred to, they often think about being nice or getting along with others. Those things matter, but emotional intelligence is much bigger than that. It’s the set of critical skills necessary to navigate any emotion, conversation, or situation, no matter how difficult. Emotional intelligence is what enables us to understand and manage our feelings, build healthy relationships, make responsible decisions, show empathy, and navigate challenges effectively.

The reason emotional intelligence is the sole focus of our work at Frameworks is that EQ is the foundation for everything we want for young people. Think about what’s required to succeed in school: managing frustration when work is difficult, staying motivated, working with others, resolving conflicts, asking for help when needed, and bouncing back from mistakes. Those are emotional intelligence skills.

After years as a teacher and assistant principal, I came to see that academic success and emotional intelligence aren’t competing priorities. They’re deeply connected. The students who thrive academically are often those who have learned to regulate their emotions, persevere through challenges, and build positive relationships with peers and adults. When schools intentionally develop and nurture these skills, research shows that students succeed personally, academically, and one day, professionally.

Q: Was there a moment — a student, a situation, a conversation — that changed how you thought about emotional intelligence and what kids actually need?

Becky: Yes. When I became the assistant principal of a school serving children from prekindergarten through eighth grade, I was responsible for student discipline. What I quickly realized was that many of the challenging behaviors we see in schools are really children communicating the only way they know how.

Again and again, I saw students who were overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, embarrassed, or hurt, but didn’t have the words or skills to express what they were feeling or what they needed. They were experiencing big emotions without the tools to manage them, and their reactions often got them into trouble. That experience completely changed how I thought about behavior.

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with this child?” I started asking: “What is this child trying to tell us?” and “What skills are they missing?”

I also realized that it’s not just students who need support. Teachers are managing classrooms full of children with different emotional needs, and many have never learned how to recognize emotional triggers, de-escalate situations, or help students build emotional regulation skills. They’re doing incredibly important work, but they need tools, too.

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.

Emotional intelligence isn’t something “nice to have” or something separate from learning. It’s often the key to unlocking a student’s ability to learn, connect, and thrive. And that’s what ultimately led me to the work I do today at Frameworks.

A Vision for the Future & Tampa Bay’s Youth

Q: Frameworks partners with parents, teachers, youth organizations, and business leaders. What do you see as the greatest opportunity to support Tampa Bay’s youth right now?

Becky: The greatest opportunity is helping all the trusted adults in a child’s life pull in the same direction. Kids thrive when they hear consistent messages and experience supportive relationships at home, at school, in after-school programs, and throughout their communities. No single adult or organization can do it alone. When we build a community-wide commitment to helping young people develop emotional intelligence, the impact is powerful.

Q: What do you wish more business leaders in Tampa Bay understood about the kids who will be entering their workforce in the next few years?

Becky: I wish more business leaders understood that emotional intelligence is not separate from workforce readiness. It is the key ingredient.

The young people entering the workforce in the next few years have grown up in a world that is changing faster than any previous generation. They are going to need technical skills, of course. But they’re also going to need the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, adapt to change, solve problems, manage stress, and build healthy relationships. Those are all emotional intelligence skills.

That’s one of the reasons Frameworks’ mission matters so much. The skills we help students build in schools, like self-awareness, empathy, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and resilience, help them succeed far beyond the classroom. They’re the same skills that equip people to become effective employees, leaders, teammates, and community members.

The business community has an incredible opportunity to be part of that development. When business leaders invest in young people, mentor them, and help create environments where they can learn and grow, they’re helping build the future workforce and the future of Tampa Bay.

Q: What’s the one thing you most want to accomplish or set in motion during your first year as CEO?

Becky: What I hope to set in motion during my first year is a broader community commitment to emotional intelligence as a foundation for helping young people thrive.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen that kids do their best when they feel connected, supported, and equipped with the skills to navigate life’s challenges. I’ve also seen that no single teacher, parent, school, or organization can do that work alone.

I would love to bring more people into this conversation and help build a shared understanding that emotional intelligence isn’t extra; it’s foundational.

If a year from now we’ve strengthened partnerships, expanded our reach, and inspired more adults across Tampa Bay to see themselves as part of this work, I would feel like we’ve set something meaningful in motion.

Getting Personal: Leadership & Life

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’ve received that has shaped how you lead?

Becky: One piece of leadership advice that has really shaped me comes from Brené Brown: “Clear is kind.”

As a teacher, assistant principal, and now CEO, I’ve learned that avoiding difficult conversations doesn’t help people grow. Whether you’re working with students, staff, or partners, people deserve honesty, clarity, and respect. Being clear about expectations, feedback, and decisions is one of the kindest things a leader can do.

Another idea that has stayed with me is that strong teams are built on trust and vulnerability, not perfection. The best leaders don’t have all the answers. They create environments where people feel safe asking questions, sharing concerns, learning from mistakes, and bringing their best ideas forward.

That’s the kind of culture I try to create at Frameworks. I want people to know where we’re headed, understand their role in getting us there, and feel supported along the way. Amazing things can happen when people feel valued, trusted, and connected to a shared purpose. 

Q: Do you have a personal mantra that inspires you?

Becky: A phrase that has guided me throughout my life is, “Unto those that much is given, much is expected.”

For me, that means achievement or success is not as important as how we use the opportunities we’ve been given. I often ask myself: How can I use what I’ve been given to create opportunities for others?

Whether I was working with students in a classroom, supporting teachers and families as an assistant principal, or now leading Frameworks, that question keeps me grounded. It reminds me that leadership is really about helping others discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their potential.

Q: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

Becky: Most people don’t know that I’m incredibly competitive when it comes to games.

I love games of all kinds, and for years I played competitive bridge. What I enjoy most isn’t necessarily winning, although I do like to win. It’s the strategy, problem-solving, and constant learning. Every game is a puzzle, and there’s always something new to figure out.

So, while most people know me through my work in education and emotional intelligence, they might be surprised to learn that if there’s a game night, I’m all in and am probably playing to win!

Q: What would your former students be surprised to learn about who you are today?

Becky: I actually hope they wouldn’t be surprised by anything at all.

Of course, they might be surprised that I’m leading an organization like Frameworks, but I hope they see a connection between what I do today and who I was as their teacher.

The things I’m passionate about now are the same things I cared about in my classroom. I wanted my students to feel known, supported, and capable. I wanted them to believe in themselves, build strong relationships, and develop the confidence to take on challenges.

Today, I have the opportunity to work on those same goals on a larger scale. Instead of supporting the students in my classroom, I get to help schools, educators, and communities create the conditions where more young people can thrive.

So if one of my former students heard that I lead Frameworks, I’d love for their reaction to be, “That makes sense. That’s what she was always about.”

Understanding the Differences Between Empathy vs. Sympathy

The key differences between empathy and sympathy come down to two things: our intention and the impact on the other person.

Sympathy is feeling concern or compassion for someone else. It can include statements like, “I’m sorry you’re going through that.” These expressions are well-meaning and show care, but they often keep a safe distance. Sympathy allows us to acknowledge another person’s feelings without fully engaging with them, which can feel comforting to us but doesn’t always provide the support the other person needs.

Empathy, on the other hand, is about feeling with another person. It involves trying to understand their perspective and emotions, being aware of how they feel, and responding in a way that communicates understanding and support. Empathy is connection-focused. Instead of keeping a safe distance, we move toward the other person, offering attention, understanding, and care. Unlike sympathy, which can feel more like an acknowledgment of someone else’s struggle, empathy invites us to put ourselves in another person’s shoes and truly share in their emotional experience.

As psychologist Carl Rogers has said, “Empathy is seeing the world through the eyes of the other, not seeing your world reflected in their eyes.”

Examples of Empathy vs. Sympathy in Action

Let’s look at a few examples to understand the difference between sympathetic and empathetic responses in real-life situations.

Example 1: If a friend loses their job

• Sympathy: “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. That must be tough.”
• Empathy: “I can only imagine how stressful that must be. How are you feeling?”

Both responses show care, but the empathetic response invites your friend to share their emotions and lets them know you’re present with them.

Example 2: If someone is dealing with a serious illness

• Sympathy: “I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
• Empathy: “I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through, but I’m here to listen and support you. What’s most challenging for you right now?”

Both responses communicate care, but empathy shows you’re willing to sit with difficult emotions and truly connect.

Building empathy takes time and practice, but it’s a skill we can all develop.

Benefits of Building Empathy

Research shows that people who practice empathy experience many benefits, including:

How Kids & Adults Can Develop Empathy & Compassion

As adults, we can develop empathy by:

• Actively listening: Pay attention without interrupting or offering advice.
• Asking questions: Find out what others need instead of assuming a solution.
• Building emotional intelligence: Strengthen self-awareness and emotional regulation. Self-awareness helps keep the focus on the other person, while emotional regulation allows us to tolerate uncomfortable feelings without withdrawing.

Activities to Build Empathy in Children by Age

One of the most important jobs adults have is promoting empathy in children. Try these activities based on the age level of the children in your life:

Young Learners

• Model empathetic behaviors: Name and share your own emotions to show how feelings look, sound, and feel. For example: “I can see that you’re sad you can’t play with your friend today. I feel sad when I can’t see my friends, too.” This helps children recognize feelings and connect with others.
• Use picture books: Talk about how characters might feel and why, and relate it to children’s own experiences. For example: “I can understand why the crayons wanted to go on strike. If I felt like no one wanted me around, I might feel that way, too.”

Elementary School Children

• Practice perspective-taking: When talking about school events, ask questions like, “How do you think that person felt? Why?” or “Have you ever felt this way? What happened?” It’s okay if your child feels differently from someone else. The goal is to help them understand others’ feelings and build connection, not to make everyone feel the same way.
• Read fiction books: Fiction opens new worlds and stories that help children learn about others, build empathy, and see situations from different perspectives. Reading allows them to experience challenges beyond their own lives, which supports understanding and connection with the people around them.

Adolescents

• Service learning and volunteering: Just like reading about people different from ourselves, volunteering provides real-life experiences to learn about others and broaden one’s perspective.
• Reflective journaling: Journaling helps teens explore their own perspectives and consider another person’s feelings. One simple prompt is the Three Whats: 1) What happened? 2) So what? 3) Now what? These prompts encourage reflection and meaning-making from experiences.

Empathy & the Other Four Skills Children Need to Succeed

Empathy is one of the five core competencies of emotional intelligence: the set of critical skills necessary to navigate any emotion, conversation, or situation, no matter how difficult. Emotional intelligence is the foundation every child and adult needs to be successful in just about every other aspect of their lives, from learning to read to succeeding in the workplace.

Frameworks of Tampa Bay is the leading nonprofit dedicated to equipping every child in our community with emotional intelligence, so they can grow up to be kind, collaborative, and capable citizens. Learn about the other four skills and how to help the children in your life build their emotional intelligence.

Sources

Corliss, J. (2021). Want to feel more connected? Practice empathy. Harvard Health Publishing.

Greater Good Science Center. (n.d.). Empathy definition: What is empathy? University of California, Berkeley.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Sympathy vs. empathy: What’s the difference?

Schumann, K., Zaki, J., & Dweck, C. S. (2014). Addressing the empathy deficit: Beliefs about the malleability of empathy predict effortful responses when empathy is challenging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 107(3), 475–493.

Zaki J. (2020). Integrating Empathy and Interpersonal Emotion Regulation. Annual review of psychology, 71, 517–540.