International Kindness Reset: Who Are We—and What Are We Doing?
Testimonials
Due to the Pocket Guide Implementation and training I feel like the staff grew a bit closer because we got to see a different side of each other than we were previously used to.
I noticed a lot of changes as a result of using Connect with Kindness Curricula. It became the most important part of all the schoolwork. It was wonderful.
Our environment became more welcoming and positive because of the Pocket Guide.
These curricula elevated a culture of kindness in our society. Now students share with each other more readily.
Surprised that students could show kindness in so many simple ways as a result of using these curricula. Now students are focused on making someone happy.
The parents and grandparents were very pleased with these curricula and they noticed changes in their students at home.
The project represented an opportunity for children to grow with greater emotional awareness, learning to be more attentive and caring towards others. This type of education not only strengthens relationships within the school, but lays the foundation for a future in which respect and kindness are fundamental values creating more beauty around us.
Meet Our Founders
Amy N Spangler, M.Ed, MN, USA
Founder and Co-Executive Director
As a lifelong public-school leader, Amy has had a significant impact on countless learning communities for more than 30 years. A “trailing spouse”, Amy has been afforded the opportunity to serve schools in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, and Minnesota as well as in the international school community of Tokyo, Japan. She actively holds administrator’s license in Oregon.
Tatyana V Tsyrlina-Spady, PhD, WA, USA
Founder and Co-Executive Director
Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady, PhD, is a distinguished academic with an extensive background in education. Formerly an Adjunct Professor at Seattle Pacific University (USA) and Professor Emerita at Kursk State University (Russia), she also holds the title of Vice-Provost Emerita at the Regional Open Social Institute (Russia). Tatyana is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Russian-American Education Forum, an online journal.
Our Partners
International Korczak Association
Warsaw, Poland
Secondary School “August Cesarec”
Ivankovo, Croatia
The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Alizawa Secondary School
Kupiskos region, Lithuania
Education and English For You
Cote d’Ivoire
Children – Artificial Intelligence RƐlationship
University of Turin, Italy
Ludoteca La casa sull’albero – Savigliano
Toy Library, Italy
IKR’s Mission & Vision
IKR’s mission is to provide high-impact, kindness-based educational services and customized materials to professionals, organizations, and communities that assist children and vulnerable adults.
IKR’s vision is to reset all organizations we serve by fostering kindness, empathy, and compassion, triggering a ripple effect, and thus transforming prevailing behavioral norms in society.
Furthermore, IKR is actively engaged in organizing international and national projects aimed at fostering kindness as a universally embraced value. Through these initiatives, IKR seeks to create a positive and inclusive impact on individuals, communities, and societies at large, with the goal of building a world where kindness is not only taught but widely practiced and celebrated.
Join us and our partners on this journey of kindness as we strive to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities worldwide. Together, let’s embark on a collective effort to reset the world with the universal language of kindness!
News Corner
Global Kindness Map: A New International Initiative!
International Kindness Reset (IKR) is delighted to announce the launch of Global Kindness Map, an exciting new international project!
Building on the success of International Expressions of Kindness, this initiative invites children and young people ages 3–21 from around the world to notice, practice, and share kindness through art, photography, writing, music, video, and other creative expressions.
With a growing network of coordinators in 30 countries, the project celebrates kindness across cultures, languages, and generations.
Submissions are now open through February 28, 2027, and inspiring contributions are already arriving!
Every act of kindness has a story. Together, we can make those stories visible around the world!
🌐 Explore the project and participate: https://globalkindnessmap.org/
At the Association for Moral Education Conference in Madrid
International Kindness Reset was proud to participate in the 2026 annual conference of the Association for Moral Education (AME), held in Madrid, Spain.
IKR cofounders Amy Spangler and Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady presented a joint session titled “Re-Weaving the Social Fabric: Why Kindness Matters Now.” The presentation addressed a timely and important question: Can kindness become an educational response to social fragmentation? Drawing upon IKR’s international work, the session explored how kindness-centered educational practices can foster belonging, strengthen relationships, and help rebuild the social connections that are essential for healthy communities.
In addition, IKR presented a conference poster highlighting several emerging Kindness School Models. The poster showcased diverse approaches to implementing kindness as a school-wide framework and reflected lessons learned from schools and educational partners in different cultural contexts.
The conference provided a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world who share a commitment to nurturing moral development, compassion, and the common good. Tatyana and Amy are grateful for the conversations, collaborations, and inspiration that emerged from this year’s gathering.
Kindness Meets Knowledge in Florida!
Kindness education is already taking root at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy in Florida! Following training provided by the founders of International Kindness Reset (IKR), the school’s teachers and staff have begun implementing our Connect with Kindness curricula across different age groups.
Even more exciting, the school is taking steps toward becoming a Certified Kindness School!
We are thrilled to see kindness education moving from training into everyday classroom practice and look forward to supporting the school on this journey.
As a member of the Charter Schools USA family, Lakewood Ranch Prep embraces a principle that beautifully reflects our shared vision:
“At CSUSA schools, kindness meets knowledge.”
We couldn’t agree more—and we are excited to see this partnership flourishing!
Learn More
Our Curricula
Child-Generated Teacher-Friendly Supplementary SEL Curricula
Our Projects
Meet our Kindness School pilot teams!
Kindness School Concept
A Kindness School is an educational institution that fosters a distinctive culture centered around the daily acknowledgment and promotion of acts of kindness as the fundamental norm of behavior.