Why We Support Teacher Training in the GBG
- Erin Gallagher
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Jay Walkers supports teacher training in the Pax Good Behavior Game® (GBG) because there is decades of research to show that students exposed to the GBG experience immediate, mid-range, and long-term benefits compared to those not exposed, including long-term protection against suicidal ideation and substance use disorder.
How Do We Know?
The GBG has been used by teachers as a classroom management tool for nearly 50 years. In that time, there have been more than 250 studies on its effectiveness. A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University shows that the game creates up to an hour of additional daily learning time by reducing disruptions. It also leads to long-term improvements in students' mental and physical health.
Is It a Curriculum?
The GBG is not a curriculum. It's a classroom management tool that complements existing curricula. It does not require teachers drop their current lesson plans or find extra class time. It simply offers an alternative to how teachers manage the classroom during existing instruction.
Is It Hard to Learn?
The GBG is not hard to learn! It can be mastered in one 2-day training session (six hours total).
Applications for the Danny Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund are now being accepted!
Jay Walkers is offering 5 Scholarships for Elementary School Teachers to be trained this summer in the Pax Good Behavior Game® (GBG).
Eligibility
Teachers must be certified elementary education and contracted to teach in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Elementary teachers from anywhere in the U.S. may apply. However, preference will be given to Virginia teachers.
Eligible teachers must be available this summer for one of the following 6-hour blocks of training:
OPTION 1: July 7-8
OPTION 2: Aug 3-4
About the Pax Good Behavior Game®
The GBG is a research-backed classroom game that reduces disruptions so students spend more time learning.
In addition, students exposed to the program in elementary school show lower risks for a range of negative life outcomes later in adolescence and adulthood.
Some of the future-life impacts are:
Reduced drug and alcohol abuse
Reduced psychiatric and behavioral disorders
Lower violent crime and incarceration rates
Reduced suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
Higher graduation and college-entry rates
Better self-regulation and social-emotional functioning into adulthood
The GBG is upstream prevention and answers the question we got from Jay's P.E. teacher, Mr. Craig, nearly 8 years ago: "Isn't there something we can do in elementary school that could help prevent suicide?"
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 15, 2026
About Mr. Craig
To read the story on how Mr. Craig inspired this effort, please check out the two-part blog post on our website.
About the Funding
This opportunity is made possible for teachers by the Danny Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund through Jay Walkers. It is inspired by and dedicated to P.E. Teacher, Danny Craig (1970-2020).
The funds for this scholarship were crowdfunded by the Jay Walkers community and by Danny Craig's friends and family through the Mustangs Baseball Club, Inc.
Comments