Tacky Box

When former Dallas principal Claudia Vega noticed the book deserts in her Oak Cliff community, she decided to change the story.

In this Oxygen for Educators episode, Claudia shares how she built Whose Books and ARCO—spaces where families feel seen, represented, and connected. Together, they’ve gifted over 5,000 books and hosted 170+ community events.

Her message to educators everywhere:
🌿 Notice what fuels you.
🌿 Edit what drains you.
🌿 Protect your humanity while you serve.

🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/claudia-vega/id1775510846?i=1000726451753

Claudia Vega Podcast Episode · Oxygen for Educators · 12/09/2025 · 1h 30m

Why does Tacky Box work? Because it reaches every student, every day—and strengthens the entire school community.

✨ Daily intervention for every student
✨ Expands the bandwidth of counseling and mental health teams
✨ Amplifies Tier 2 and Tier 3 efforts
✨ Builds self-regulation and agency
✨ Fosters safety, belonging, and an optimal learning environment

Learn more: www.tackybox.com

What does it really mean to be a lifelong learner in education?

In this conversation with Heather Junker, we dive into:
✨ Why educators never have it all figured out (and that’s okay)
✨ The balance of technology in classrooms
✨ How morale rises and falls with the season (or the paperwork pile)
✨ Why teamwork, parents, and community make the hard stuff lighter

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about real people, learning as they go, and supporting one another in a changing world.

🎧 Listen now: https://youtu.be/crbfvKr0xWc?si=7t8Sd_JJGAYHn_iU

Heather Junker SUMMARYIn this episode of Oxygen for Educators, we sit down with Heather Junker to talk about what it really means to be a lifelong learner in education. Hea...

Across campuses, anxiety, depression, and behavior incidents are rising....

-Educators are stretched beyond their capacity.
-Kids need more support.

Tacky Box gives students a simple daily routine for mental health support. Tacky Box Time builds emotional resilience, expands emotional vocabulary, and develops self-awareness and self-regulation in a safe, predictable format.

The result is calmer classrooms, fewer disruptions, stronger peer relationships, and students more ready to learn. It fits into the day in minutes with low prep and real support for teachers.

Learn more at tackybox.com

Brenda J. Scott’s journey from first-gen graduate to SMU Athletics leader shows how seeing students clearly builds belonging and confidence on Oxygen for Educators.

Watch the episode and share with an educator who inspires you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKCD-9bkxT4

Brenda Scott SUMMARYThis episode feels like sitting down for coffee with someone who’s walked the walk and really cares about people. Brenda Scott, now the Director of Cu...

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.

“Sometimes the most life-changing thing we can offer isn’t an answer—it’s simply showing up.”

This Oxygen for Educators episode will stay with you.... Educator + leader Tausha Nickleberry opens up about her story from a childhood marked by trauma and instability to a teen pregnancy at 16, and one caring adult whose quiet presence changed everything.

Her story is raw, courageous, and ultimately a love letter to educators. It’s a reminder that every moment of connection matters, and that hope can ripple further than we ever imagine.

🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/ZwO5TPtGGNM?si=X5qa9V9EYCwdrMzE

Tausha Nickleberry SUMMARYGet ready to meet a woman whose story will stay with you long after the episode ends. In this raw and transparent interview, Michelle Kinder sits down...

Helping children learn to pause, reflect, and regulate themselves builds the foundation for stronger relationships and healthier communities.

True leadership isn’t about doing more...it’s about showing up as your best self. Prioritizing rest and balance allows you to show up stronger, sharper, and more fully in every area of your life. In this impactful episode, we sit down with Dr. Shanon Zais, a visionary school leader who models what it means to lead with heart; honoring her staff, her students, and her own well-being, so everyone around her can thrive.

Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-shanon-zais/id1775510846?i=1000717845056

(also on YouTube, Spotify, and Audible)

Shanon Zais

Dr. Shanon Zais Podcast Episode · Oxygen for Educators · 18/07/2025 · 1h 10m

"Since implementing Tacky Box, the instruction versus dealing with behavior—there's no comparison."

Chelsey Lyons
Galloway Elementary School Mesquite ISD

Educators are carrying more than ever. Dr. Summer Rose says it’s time we carry them, too.

Dr. Summer Rose doesn’t just talk about mental health, she lives it, fights for it, and reminds us why it matters. In this conversation, she gets real about the weight educators are carrying, the urgency of supporting youth, and the lifeboats we can offer each other. This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the heaviness of this work and needed hope that holds.

Dr. Summer Rose SUMMARYIn this episode, we sit down with the radiant and deeply grounded Dr. Summer Rose, a clinical psychologist and leader at Communities In Schools of the...