Dec 25-2
Sometimes, the most powerful moments in a school day are not loud or dramatic. They happen quietly in the space between reaction and response.
Like when a fourth grader named Maya clenches her fists, ready to shout at a classmate who just knocked over her project. But then she stops. She takes a breath. She remembers what her teacher calls her “reset strategy.” And instead of yelling, she asks, “Can you help me fix it?”
That is emotional intelligence in real life.
At Frameworks of Tampa Bay, we see moments like this every day. They are not the kinds of things that make headlines or show up on standardized tests, but they change everything about how children learn, grow, and connect.
Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to understand and manage our emotions, empathize with others, make thoughtful decisions, and build healthy relationships. When a student learns to name a feeling instead of acting on it, that’s EQ. When a teacher starts the day with a “feelings check-in” so her students can begin calm and focused, that’s EQ. When a high schooler notices a classmate struggling and chooses kindness, that’s EQ.
And while it may start small, the ripple effects are enormous.
Frameworks works hand in hand with schools and youth-serving organizations to make emotional intelligence a daily practice, not an add-on. In Hillsborough County and beyond, we partner with educators, early learning providers, mentors, parents, and community leaders to embed EQ into every setting where children grow.
- In schools, teachers weave Frameworks lessons into academic and daily routines, creating calmer, more connected classrooms.
- In early learning centers, we help caregivers nurture empathy and self-regulation from the start, when little brains are building the foundation for lifelong emotional health.
- Through mentor agencies, we equip adults who work one-on-one with youth, from after-school programs to Big Brothers Big Sisters, to model emotional awareness and resilience.
- With parents and families, we create workshops and resources that strengthen communication and connection at home, so emotional intelligence becomes a shared family language.
- Across community organizations, we provide training and coaching that amplify existing youth programs, helping children and teens develop both heart and skill as they navigate the challenges of growing up.
Together, these partnerships form a powerful network of support, a community where emotional intelligence becomes not just something we teach, but something we live.
One School’s Story
At Mort Elementary, one of our partner schools, teachers have fully embraced Frameworks’ lessons. In Ms. Jenkins’ third-grade class, students begin every morning gathered in a circle. They each share how they are feeling using a color from the “Mood Meter”: blue for sad, red for angry, yellow for happy, green for calm.
At first, the students giggled. But soon, something shifted. The simple act of naming feelings became a routine that set the tone for the day. “I started to see my students supporting each other differently,” Ms. Jenkins shared. “When someone said they were in the blue, another student would quietly offer to partner with them or say something kind. They began to self-regulate and care for one another in ways I had not seen before.”
That is what emotional intelligence looks like, connection, compassion, and courage in real time.
A Student Once Told Us…
“I used to get in trouble all the time. Then I learned how to pause. Now I think before I act. I still get mad, but I do not stay mad.”
That one sentence says everything about what Frameworks does. Emotional intelligence does not erase feelings. It empowers young people to navigate them with compassion for themselves and others.
At its core, Frameworks is about possibility. We believe every child deserves to grow up with the emotional tools to face challenges, form strong relationships, and believe in their own potential.
Whether we are supporting preschoolers learning to name their feelings, middle schoolers learning empathy, mentors guiding teens through tough decisions, or parents finding new ways to connect, Frameworks helps everyone who touches a child’s life bring emotional intelligence to the forefront.
When students learn to understand themselves, they show up differently in their classrooms, their families, and their communities. They learn to lead with both head and heart.
That is how change begins. One breath. One choice. One emotionally intelligent moment at a time.
Every day, Frameworks helps children and the adults who care for them build emotionally intelligent communities in places where learning and kindness grow side by side.
You can help us reach even more young people with these essential skills. To learn more or to invest in this critical work, please visit our website at www.myframeworks.org.
Cheers to 2025, it’s been a great year of growth and impact,
Elizabeth A. Reedy
CEO