Since implementing Tacky Box, the instruction versus dealing with behavior—there's no comparison.
Chelsey Lyons
Galloway Elementary School Mesquite ISD
Proven Impact
Reduce Behavioral Incidents by 66%
Light Lift for Teachers, High Impact for Students
10 Years; Over 120,000 Elementary Students Served
For Elementary Schools
Supports Tier 1, 2, 3
Daily self-reflection cultivates self-awareness and strengthens self-regulation, foundational skills for emotional intelligence and long-term success.
The Powerful Personal Choice + Repetition
Daily self-reflection cultivates self-awareness and strengthens self-regulation, foundational skills for emotional intelligence and long-term success.
The Urgent Need to Combat Bullying
One in five students report being bullied at school. This alarming statistic underscores the need for immediate and effective interventions to create safer and more inclusive environments for everyone.
Read the Book:
Read Max's Magnificent Choice to Students before the assembly.
Watch the Show:
During the assembly all students and staff watch Tacky Box Time!
Decorate the Box:
Students receive and decorate their very own Tacky Box!
Daily Tacky Box Time:
Incorporate 5 minutes of Tacky Box Time into the campus daily routine.
What Your Peers Have To Say
"I can see this thing going nationwide. I can see it going viral, because it has all the great elements. It has grassroots support, it has stakeholders, it has a process, and it has a product. And that product is a Tacky Box. You put all those things together and it's going to work. I think this will be a model for the country because it is genuine, authentic, it is something that is home-grown and it is something that works. It gets the students excited and what’s even more exciting is it got our counselors excited about it."
Dr. Michael Hinojosa,
Former Superintendent of Schools, Dallas ISD
"As adults we often forget to remind students how to love one another, and instead pick on their downfalls. I am always looking for ways to implement a positive learning environment and model to children what it means to be kind. Tacky Box was the perfect example for my children to use in everyday life, not just in school. Knowing that my children not only had fun but had also learned a valuable lesson made this teacher’s heart swell! I cannot wait to use Tacky Box in my classroom again next year!"
Alexa Locke,
Team READ Instructor, Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard
"It is our opinion that the Tacky Box materials will assist our educators in creating a kinder world and more respectful school culture by enabling students to correct their own inappropriate interactions with peers. We are excited about partnering with the Tacky Box organization to build a caring school climate and ultimately a more respectful society."
Dr. Sylvia Lopez,
Former Director of School Counseling, Dallas ISD
Why Tacky Box is So Desperately Needed
There's a Rise in Anxiety, Depression, and Behavior Incidents
“The statistics are telling; there is an urgent need for intervention with a creative (and not overwhelming) solution. Mental health issues among children have been on the rise, with symptoms of anxiety and depression doubling during the pandemic. The consequences of inaction are substantial, as the quality of peer interactions and school climate significantly influence a child's overall well-being and long-term success.”
Educators are Extended Beyond Their Capacity:
“We must seek novel approaches that do not merely add to the already substantial burdens carried by the adults in our education systems. Instead, recognizing the prevalence of burnout within these professions, we must seek approaches, like Tacky Box that can be implemented easily and affordably.”
Kids Need More:
“Tacky Box is more than support and encouragement for kindness; it is about creating a safe environment where children can thrive. It helps children feel safe and connected, which, in turn, enhances their receptivity to learning and creativity. Tacky Box goes beyond threat mitigation; it actively fosters connection and community.”
Why It Works
Daily intervention for every student.
Expands the bandwidth of the counseling and mental health teams.
Amplifies Tier 2 and Tier 3 efforts.
Develops a sense of agency in students.
Fosters a culture of safety, belonging, and an optimal learning environment.
"…children’s nervous systems constantly scan for signs of safety or danger. When they feel safe and connected, their brains are primed for learning. Tacky Box® reinforces these ‘signs of safety’ by equipping children with tangible tools to regulate their interactions, reducing negative social exchanges that trigger stress responses and disrupt learning. This proactive approach fosters a school culture that supports both emotional well-being and academic success."
"Necessity is the mother of invention."
This old adage was fully realized for Chris Phelps, the day her daughter Emma, then halfway through her kindergarten year, nonchalantly used her first four letter word. Shocked and unprepared for the moment, Chris panicked –then got creative – and Tacky Box came to be. Tacky Box was a mom’s impromptu attempt to help her daughter choose her words and actions carefully. And, thanks to Emma’s choice to be kind, it worked.
It started with a four letter word and evolved into a collaborative effort to make the world a kinder place, one child at a time.
Chris Phelps
Tacky Box Founder & CEO
FAQ's
They might! That’s a sign they are processing words they are hearing in the world and choosing how they want to show up differently. It is critical that children do not feel constrained or policed in how they use their Tacky Box as a processing tool. If a child is using Tacky Box Time in a way that is disruptive to others, that should be addressed to get them into a more productive head and heart space.
Please let them. At the end of announcements during daily Tacky Box Time, students will be reminded that some worries need the attention of a trusted adult. Please reinforce this message and encourage students to seek out a trusted adult when needed. Tacky Box is an essential and effective tool, but it is no substitute for the care and support of an adult helping a child make sense of a challenging situation.
The easiest and most seamless way we’ve found to implement Tacky Box Time is by adding it to the end of morning announcements. The announcement team simply downloads the video or audio, closes out announcements, and Tacky Box Time begins. It becomes a natural part of the campus routine—teachers don’t have to do anything, students engage in their Tacky Box Time, and then the day begins.
However, we understand that every campus is different. That’s why we work closely with counselors to ensure Tacky Box Time is implemented in a way that best fits each school’s unique needs and schedule.
You bet! This is up to the individual classroom leader, but we highly encourage use during the day when needed. We suggest teaching students to always grab a strip of paper and write down what they need to, and at any time, they can lock it in the box in a non-distracting manner. Practice this so that they know what it feels like and looks like. Model, model, model!
Professional Development
Self Regulation Starts with the Adults in the Building
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How do you reset your nervous system?
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Do you prioritize these activities regularly?
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Do you acknowledge when you're struggling?
Michelle Kinder, M.Ed., LPC, helps educators explore their own nervous systems, gaining insight and knowledge to ensure that the adults in the building are in tune. This ensures their efforts to support students are effective and amplified.
"Any and all efforts fall short if the adult in the room isn't attending to their own nervous system."
Michelle Kinder, M.Ed., LPC, Ripplemaker Chief Mental Health Officer
Oxygen For Educators Podcast
Oxygen for Educators focuses on thought-provoking, unscripted conversations full of actionable ideas to fuel the important work of educators.
