Together, we are empowering children to live joyful, resilient, and fulfilling lives.

We are building a future where everyone can thrive — by giving our future generations the understandings, tools, and support they need to master themselves and respond to life effectively.

Work with us

Eighth graders learn mindfulness.

  • "Watching Marcello teach, nurture, form relationships and patiently guide students was nothing short of amazing to witness. Marcello will be a huge asset to any school system that welcomes him in."

    Mairead O, Elementary

  • "Marcello also initiated a morning meditation for staff, offering a calm and grounding start to our week. I participated regularly and noticed a significant improvement in my mood and overall outlook."

    Rebecca A, Elementary

  • "Marcello created a space where all kids felt seen and supported, balancing structure with compassion."

    Haylee M, Phys Ed.

  • "Marcello comes from a place of compassion and sincere concern for their emotional wellbeing. He not only supported the children but he was also there for any staff member that needed assistance or encouragement."

    Eileen H, Elem Para

We partner with schools and families to give our children what they need to thrive.

Working directly with educators, families, and community leaders — we help create vibrant school climates, cohesive home environments, and communities built on compassion, respect, and perfect righteousness.

Work with us

In-School SEL Programming

We partner with schools and district leaders to meet their unique needs with our MTSS Aligned, SEL & Mindfulness Programming built for providing our children and staff with the emotional intelligence they need to thrive— trauma informed, data driven and based on the 5 CASEL Core Competencies.

Family SEL Coaching

We partner with families and primary care givers to meet their child’s unique needs with in-home whole family emotional intelligence coaching, so that children and parents can effectively name, speak, process, and regulate their emotions — trauma informed, data driven and based on the 5 CASEL Core Competencies.

What children need to thrive:

Our children need more than good grades to have a fulfilling, resilient, and joyful life. In addition to a strong academic life they need excellent self awareness, the tools for effective self management, the ability to navigate their relationships and social lives with a conscious care, and the ability to make decisions with pause, peace, and power.

Project Oak’s approach is inspired by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) five core competencies:

1. Self Awareness

The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.

2. Self Management

The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.

3. Social Awareness

The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.

5. Responsible Decision Making

The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.

Learn more about CASEL

4. Relationship Skills

The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.

Second graders practicing a regulation exercise.

What the research says:

Hundreds of independent studies confirm: SEL benefits children, plus.

Child Wellbeing

  1. Participation in SEL programs is linked to decreased emotional distress, more positive attitudes about self and others, and fewer externalizing behaviors and discipline problems.

  2. SEL contributes to reductions in bullying and aggression.

  3. Students participating in SEL report an increased sense of safety and support, better relationships with teachers, and stronger feelings of belonging and inclusiveness in schools.

Future Readiness

  1. Students with stronger social and emotional skills are more likely to reach milestones including high school graduation , postsecondary enrollment and completion, and stable, full-time employment.

  2. Students who engage in SEL programs see consistent improvements in social and emotional skills, and stronger social and emotional skills contribute to positive lifetime outcomes up to 18 years later.

Academics

  1. Hundreds of studies involving more than 1 million students worldwide across PreK-12 offer consistent evidence that SEL has a positive impact on students’ academic achievement.

  2. SEL interventions that addressed the five core competencies increased students’ academic performance by 11 percentile points, compared to students who did not participate.

Adult Wellbeing

  1. Educators with strong social and emotional competence report higher levels of job satisfaction and less burnout. 

  2. Focusing on SEL can help educators build and maintain stronger relationships with students and manage classrooms.

  3. Teachers who teach SEL to students report feeling more effective at their jobs and lower levels of job-related anxiety.

Learn About Our Plan

From the Founder,

As a child, I grew up without the tools.

I suffered with generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, debilitating anxiety stomach aches, irrational thoughts and fears, and a social and academic life that reflected these internal conflicts. I didn’t know why I felt the way I felt— and most of the people around me didn’t have the answer either.

At 18, it consumed me.

After the moment I considered what life would look like without me, I had a thought that changed everything for me, “There must be more to life than this.” It sent waves through my body and in that moment a new journey laid itself out for me where I committed to learning everything I could about the mind, body, and spirit — not just to survive, but to truly live.

I studied Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University. I invested in my personal growth with years of seminars, therapists, coaching, and deep personal work. I trained in professional coaching myself — and slowly that thought from eighteen years old began to blossom into a lived reality.

There is more.

One thing became extraordinarily clear — that with the right emotional education, tools, and practices we can live deeply fulfilling, joyful, and resilient lives, from the outset. It became extraordinarily clear that so much of the suffering our children and adults face today can be avoided when they are equipped early with emotional intelligence.

We want our children to thrive.

We want them to understand their emotions, regulate their responses, build meaningful relationships, and move through challenges with confidence and clarity.

That’s why Project Oak was founded— to provide our children with the education, tools, and practice they need to thrive from the outset — giving rise to a regulated, aware, compassionate, and connected society along the way.

May we plant these seeds together, and watch them grow.

With Love,

Programs of the past..

  • “Marcello is one of a kind. Anyone that has the opportunity to work alongside him will be forever changed. His knowledge, positivity and willingness to grow himself and others is evident in everything he does. Marcello spent the year supporting students in my classroom in the area of Social Emotional Learning.

    Watching Marcello teach, nurture, form relationships and patiently guide students was nothing short of amazing to witness. Marcello will be a huge asset to any school system that welcomes him in.”

    – Mairead O., BPS

  • “I feel very fortunate to have been able to work with Marcello this year. I saw first hand how he was able to handle some of the most challenging situations, with our students who exhibit extreme behaviors. He comes from a place of compassion and sincere concern for their emotional wellbeing. He not only supported the children but he was also there for any staff member that needed assistance or encouragement.

    The students at Murphy developed a strong affection for Marcello and sought him out. He has the ability to change the energy the second he walks into the room. He would be an asset to any school environment.”

    - Eileen H., BPS

  • “His passion for emotional regulation and social-emotional development was evident in his ability to recognize student needs and respond with compassion and effective strategies. He quickly became my go-to colleague for support and insight, and I greatly valued his teamwork and perspective.

    In addition to his work with students, Marcello also initiated a morning meditation for staff, offering a calm and grounding start to our week. I participated regularly and noticed a significant improvement in my mood and overall outlook. His thoughtfulness and genuine care for the well-being of both students and staff made a lasting impact on our school community.”

    – Rebecca A., BPS

  • “When I speak with Marcello, I’m speaking with someone who really understands me. He hears what I have to say and makes me feel like how I’m feeling is valid. He helps me to see past what might normally trip me up or work through the details in my own head that I can get lost in. That might seem relatively insignificant, but it’s completely the opposite. Instead of getting hung up, I’m moving forward and growing.

    In short, he helps bring out the best in me (I got teary-eyed when I wrote that). My coaching relationship with Marcello has no expiration date because when I think about my life with him as my coach vs. my life without him as my coach—without a doubt, working with him is the better version. And what’s more worthy of my money than something that will improve my life, as a whole?

    I appreciate him not only for his impact on me, but for his impact (indirectly) on my entire family—my wife and young children—and all of the people in my life that are important to me.”

    — Jordan T.

  • “There are many positive attributes that Marcello embodies. He is knowledgeable of his subject matter and was able to make mindfulness meaningful to a group of 11 & 12 year olds. Through his extensive skill set, he was able to entice even the most resistant of students to participate in his meditation activities. Students who would not normally share out their feelings, were consistently volunteering to make themselves vulnerable because Marcello had created a safe space for them to let them know their voice was important because it was.  

    I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to have Marcello in my classroom this past year. I cannot recommend him enough and would happily speak to you to further to discuss his amazing skills and talents.”

    — Jamie W., NHPS

  • “From the very first day working together in the elementary PE setting, it was clear that Marcello was extremely competent, resourceful and adaptable… especially when it came to those navigating big emotions.

    He created a space where all kids felt seen and supported, balancing structure with compassion. His energy in the gym was always upbeat and positive, which helped create a classroom culture where students could thrive. Marcello was consistently attentive to every student, adapting on the fly when needed and always meeting kids where they were. As a coworker, he was reliable, flexible, and easy to collaborate with- someone you could always count on. He communicated well with both staff and students, making sure everyone felt on the same page. Working with him made the day smoother and the team stronger.”

    — Haylee M., BPS

  • “Marcello has been the most helpful, kind, and caring individual I’ve met in a very long time. Not only does he help my 8 year old son out but also myself. He has shed so much light on what my body has been trying to tell me and how my son deals with his emotions. He has become the best big brother to my son. My son loves him so so much and always looks forward to spend time with him. Marcello is such an amazing role model, teaching; patience, understanding, love, care, sympathy, ex.

    He has showed my son and I different ways to calm our bodies and respect its wishes. He has showed us what to do with emotions such as anger or sadness and how to get rid of it while still acknowledging it. There is never any judgement when talking with him and I feel so comfortable and at ease. My son doesn’t open up to many people but he has to Marcello. He has such a calming energy and his dedication to each and every one is amazing. My son and I always look forward to getting our Mr. L time. It’s always fun, relaxing, entertaining, and educational. Thank you for making a difference in our lives and always being there for us! Your a light everyone needs!”

    — Dana S.

  • “After the first meeting with Marcello we hoped he could help our son learn strategies to work through stressful situations. We accepted that he might not be able to participate in the previously enjoyable activities even with the work Marcello was doing with him.

    Yet, at the end of their work together we were overcome with gratitude at how Marcello was able to get our son to understand his emotions and the things that would trigger his anxiety. Marcello taught him how to self regulate and worked with us, as parents, on how to support our son when he identified a heightened level of anxiety.

    As a special education teacher myself within the Branford Public School System, it was reassuring to witness Marcello utilize in school SEL based approaches while also pulling from his own versatile tool set to give our son exactly what he needed.

    Now, even after the sessions ended, Marcello has made himself available to continue supporting our son as needed. Now our son is able to participate in the activities that he had to stop because of his anxiety.”

    — Meghan H.

Ready to get started?

Let’s work together to ensure that our children have the understandings, tools, and support they need to thrive while building an enlightened society for all of us.

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