Koontz Elementary Taps Emoti Labs to Launch Groundbreaking SEL Pilot, Becoming the Official "Lurnsters Hub"
- Nov 17, 2025
- 2 min read
New program combines "Emoti Science"—a revolutionary teacher training methodology—with live shows and "tons of puppet fun" to transform school culture.
SALISBURY, N.C. – November 17, 2025 – Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary School today announced a transformative, school-wide partnership with Emoti Labs, the "Scientists of Big Feelings." In a pioneering move, Koontz will pilot the innovative Emoti Science framework and serve as the first-ever "Lurnsters Hub," a creative center for SEL development.
This new program, spearheaded by Emoti Labs' embedded SEL Program Director, James Catoe, is designed to provide teachers with a new, clinical framework for classroom management while engaging students in a way that is both educational and incredibly fun.
The partnership is a key component of Principal Dr. Marsh's vision to turn Koontz Elementary into a national model for positive school culture and innovation.
"We are always looking for innovative, evidence-based ways to support our students and staff," said Dr. Marsh. "In Emoti Labs, I believe we have found a 'gold mine.' This isn't just another program; it's a new way of thinking about behavior, connection, and learning. It’s the partner we need to help our students and teachers thrive, and we are excited to be the flagship school for this work."
The program's foundation is Emoti Science, a proprietary methodology developed by Emoti Labs. Over the coming year, Koontz educators will receive intensive, ongoing Professional Development in this new framework. They will be trained to move beyond traditional "command-and-control" tactics and become "Classroom Facilitators"—learning to scientifically diagnose and mitigate student behaviors by understanding their root causes, or what Emoti Labs calls the "Psycho-Emotional Profile."
For students, this partnership means learning has never been more engaging. As the official Lurnsters Hub, Koontz will be a center of creative energy, piloting the Lurnsters SEL curriculum. Students will participate in interactive "pull-out" groups that use the Lurnsters digital platform and—most excitingly—live puppet shows to teach core concepts. This isn't "sit-and-get" learning; students will actively engage with fun characters to learn about self-awareness, emotional regulation, and how to become "Scientists of Big Feelings" themselves.
This new, school-wide Tier 1 initiative led by Emoti Labs is a direct partnership with Koontz Elementary administration. It is designed to operate as a distinct, foundational program, separate and apart from the vital, ongoing case-management work provided by Communities in Schools. Emoti Labs will focus on universal (Tier 1) teacher training and supplemental (Tier 2) SEL instruction, complementing the existing support structures within the school.
About Emoti Labs, LLC
Emoti Labs, "The Scientists of Big Feelings," is a social-emotional learning and development firm that provides clinical, evidence-based frameworks to retrain classroom management. Through its proprietary Emoti Science methodology, Emoti Labs trains educators to mitigate behavior by understanding its root causes.
About Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary School
Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary School, part of the Rowan-Salisbury School System, is a community-focused school dedicated to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and positive character in every student.
Media Contact:
Emoti Labs
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