Pencil Box Solutions was officially founded in 2023, but its beginnings stretch back to 2020. That fall, founder and CEO Greta Schramm received a call from her principal during the height of hybrid learning—when some students were learning remotely and others attended in person under strict social distancing. Her principal challenged her to imagine how they could meet the urgent social and emotional needs of both staff and students in such a unique and difficult time. Together, they envisioned a dedicated Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist role that could have a powerful impact on their school community. From this role, Greta began creating weekly and bi-weekly videos for students and staff, shared during announcements and Morning Meetings. These early efforts became the foundation for Pencil Box Solutions, now dedicated to equipping educators and nurturing the emotional well-being of students.
At Pencil Box Solutions, we’re dedicated to equipping educators and children with social and emotional skills through our engaging videos. Our mission is to foster emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, and conflict resolution through access to supportive, easy to use video tools. We aim to be a trusted resource, based on current neuroscience research, for parents and educators alike, shaping a positive, healthy, and compassionate future for young minds.
Greta Schramm is a seasoned educator with 30 plus years of elementary experience, dedicated to prioritizing children's social and emotional educational needs at every grade level. Balancing her career with the responsibilities of being a mother of three launched adults, Greta continues to integrate and utilize evidence-based approaches to address the needs of elementary students, demonstrating her commitment to fostering the holistic development her students.
Tammy Hollingsworth, a veteran with over 20 years in design, production, and project management. Based in Minnesota for the past 25 years, Tammy's journey reflects her dedication as a single mother and her deep understanding of the challenges faced by teachers and parents. Her passion for making a positive impact on children's education, combined with a love for hard work and life balance, fuels her commitment to Pencil Box Solutions.
Jeff is our creative chameleon. He's an accomplished video editor with a knack for bringing Greta's visions to life and managing Tammy's endless stream of orders with ease. Whether he's cutting footage together in the editing suite or bringing a script to life in the voice over booth, Jeff infuses every project with humor, artistry, and precision. Aside from crafting brilliant videos for Pencil Box Solutions, Jeff is also a puppeteer, musician, and game enthusiast (video games, board games, role-playing games, you name it). Jeff's quick wit and creative spark keep our team and our projects bursting with life. Truly, he is mighty.
Sue Swensen keeps all of us in line literally. She’s got line items for every project, every purchase, and probably every coffee we’ve ever expensed. As our meticulous bookkeeper, Sue balances not only our business accounts but also a full and vibrant life. Her ledger is always on point, her spreadsheets are works of art, and her sense of humor is tax-free. Sue proves every day that in the grand equation of Pencil Box Solutions, she’s the sum of our parts and the one who makes sure we never go into the red (unless it’s with a red pen).
