Exploring Boys' Education

Join Caitlin Munday, research fellow—professional learning at The Scots College (Australia), as she hosts two group interviews about establishing cultures of innovation and research in boys’ schools.

In the first interview, Ian Lambert, principal of The Scots College and chair of the IBSC Research Committee, explains the power of research-rich school communities and IBSC’s commitment to this valuable research. Committee members Kim Hudson, director of the Center for the Study of Boys at St. Christopher’s School (United States), Tom Arbuthnott, deputy head (partnerships) at Eton College (United Kingdom), and Hugh Chilton, director of research and professional learning at The Scots College, bring fresh perspectives about cultivating an innovative research culture at school.

Each guest describes how their school developed its research center and offers tips on how you can do so, too. Delve into the challenges schools frequently encounter when establishing cultures of research and innovation and growing genuine expertise in school communities. Find out how the IBSC Research Committee supports schools invested in research—including yours. Furthermore, their conversation touches on creating research communities within IBSC.

In the second interview, Munday connects with Michael Fellin, headmaster, and Sandra Boyes, executive director of professional learning and research and head of lower school, for Crescent School (Canada). Both school leaders detail the journey of creating the newly launched Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education. Listen to this sage advice to help your school establish a similar research hub.

We welcome your voice notes in response to Exploring Boys’ Education episodes. Leave a comment or highlight how you’re using the podcast in your school. Please send WhatsApp voice notes to Bruce Collins at +27 71 8911 898 or email voice memos to [email protected]. We’d like to feature as many of your voices as possible in future podcast episodes. · · The Center for the Study of Boys · St. Christopher's School · · The Crescent Centre for Boys' Education · · IBSC

Join IBSC Director of Membership Engagement Bruce Collins as he hosts conversations about IBSC online learning with course facilitators.

Dive deep into what it means to be a boys’ educator. Gain insight into the successful practice of teaching boys as we explore the purpose and nuances of the IBSC online classes that launch October 15, 2019, and February 10, 2020.

Hear from leading psychiatrist and best-selling author Shimi Kang, CIRCLE Director of Education Brad Adams, retired head of school Joe Cox, Academic and Universities Director at Harrow School (United Kingdom) Charles Bailey, and online learning pioneer Brad Rathgeber. Dr Shimi Kang · · IBSC Online Classes · · One Schoolhouse · IBSC

Join IBSC Director of Membership Engagement Bruce Collins as he hosts conversations about the IBSC Action Research Program with the IBSC Action Research advisor team and 2019 IBSC Action Research Award honorees.

In the latest episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education podcast, Margot Long, coordinator of the IBSC Action Research Program, describes this unparalleled professional development opportunity offered by IBSC since 2005. Meet the team leading this global learning opportunity, which has engaged more than 420 teachers and administrators worldwide in cutting-edge research projects conducted in boys’ schools over a two-year period. Di Laycock also shares some of the history of the program and highlights the need for rigor in teacher-led research.

Hear directly from action researchers about their firsthand experiences with the program, including 2019 IBSC Action Research Award honorees Peter Bonds and James Kearney.

Take advantage of this opportunity to conduct research at your school. Apply for the 2020-21 IBSC Action Research cohort to investigate Boys and Technology: New Horizons, New Challenges, New Learning. Get more details on our website. Apply by November 1.

Remember, IBSC member schools can access all the past IBSC Action Research reports in IBSC Member Center. In particular, check out James Kearney and Peter Bonds’ research reports and posters.

Please share your feedback with us at [email protected]. If you want your idea featured on a future episode, send a WhatsApp voice note to +27718911898.

IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education music composed and performed by Tom DiGiovanni. Apply for Action Research · Action Research Reports · James Kearney's Report · Peter Bonds' Report · IBSC · IBSC Action Research Infographic — PDF (572.3 KB)

Join IBSC Director of Membership Engagement, Bruce Collins, as he hosts conversations about the importance of boys’ wellness with Hal Hannaford, headmaster, Selwyn House School (Canada); Sonia Lupien, director and founder, Centre for Studies on Human Stress; and Ned Hallowell, renowned psychiatrist and New York Times best-selling author.

At the 2019 IBSC Annual Conference in Montréal, Hal Hannaford emphasized the vital importance of connecting with other boys’ educators. Now he shares his vision of why all boys’ schools need to create welcoming spaces that focus on wellness. One of the most important roles of boys’ schools is to foster meaningful connections in our communities.

The engaging Sonia Lupien builds on the conversation by explaining on the scientific impact of stress on children and teenagers. She highlights ways schools and teachers can ameliorate the impact of stress in boys’ lives. Lupien speaks about the power of meaningful relationships, recognition of individual talents, the signs of stress responses in students, stress response and gender, and losing mobilized energy.

Ned Hallowell, an expert in treating ADHD and dyslexia, describes what he means when he says, “I don’t treat disabilities, I help unwrap gifts.” The Harvard-trained psychiatrist offers his advice for teacher of boys as they engage with boys who face challenges. He details how to recognize and deal with students who might be struggling with so-called learning disabilities, including navigating prejudicial responses to these. Hallowell also speaks about the power of connectedness to create safe spaces for the boys we teach.

IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education music composed and performed by Tom DiGiovanni.

Music inserts by Molly Johnson and her band were used with permission. Selwyn House School · Dr. Sonia Lupien · Centre for Studies on Human Stress · Dr. Ned Hallowell · IBSC

Join Sherry Rusher, dean of faculty at St. Albans School (United States), in the inaugural episode of the Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast as she hosts a conversation with Adam Cox, author of “Cracking the Boy Code”.

Rusher and Cox highlight how the current climate finds boys under heavy scrutiny—and boys’ schools even more so. They explore what boys’ schools and boyhood represent and challenge the perception of what is really happening in boys’ schools. Cox enumerates effective ways to engage boys in responsible citizenship and respectful relations, and both share examples of what boys’ schools are doing successfully in this regard. They illuminate how boys find their most authentic selves and how schools can create genuine forums for exchange. Cox offers insight into how boys’ schools can encourage listening, empathy, and vulnerability in boys. Both experts agree that weaving character development into every facet of school life creates an effective way of engaging boys in meaningful discussion and helping them find purpose in adolescence. Cox asserts that, in many ways, boys’ schools answer the challenges boys frequently face. IBSC