Educating the 21st Century Man

Kerry BrennanHeadmaster, The Roxbury Latin School (MA)

President, IBSC

Brad GioiaHeadmaster, Montgomery Bell Academy

Vice President of the Americas, IBSC

Why a School for Boys?

• Journey from Adolescence to independence positively developed together between parents and school in tandem.

• Global citizens developed through teaching critical skills, especially writing and communication, as well as exposure to ideas and opportunities beyond themselves and their school community.

• Experience adventure, leadership, service and curiosity in ways that stretch and challenge young men.

Why a School for Boys?

• Unique environment develops lifelong relationships with peers and faculty.• Culture of honor, empathy and respect surround the boy in a character-driven

environment.• Breadth of interests explored in ways that promote diversity, empathy and a well-

rounded boy, who participates in and appreciates a wide realm of interests from the arts to athletics.

Boys schools know how boys…

• Learn• Manage time• Forget things• Eat• Play• Feel• Forge healthy relationships

Boys schools celebrate…

• Teamwork• The Arts• Competition and collaboration• Hard work• Excellence

Boys schools develop…

• Leadership• Character• A love for learning• Empathy• Friendships

David FausHeadmaster, St. Paul’s School (MD)

Why do we care?Because we believe our boys can/will be a force of good in the world.Service to others/ part of something bigger then themselves

Why be a gentleman?Good Citizen – purpose of education (Aristotelian)Leads to a better life

10 Eternal truths of the Gentlemanly Life

1. A gentleman says “please” and “thank you”, readily and often.2. A gentleman does not disparage the beliefs of others- whether they relate to

matters of faith, politics, or sports team.3. A gentleman always carries a handkerchief, and is ready to lend it, especially to a

weeping lady, should the need arise.4. A gentleman never allows a door to slam in the face of another person – male or

female, young or old.

Continued…

10 Eternal truths of the Gentlemanly Life Continued

6. A gentleman does not make jokes about race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation; neither does he find such jokes amusing.

7. A gentleman knows how to stand in line and how to wait his turn.8. A gentleman is always ready to offer a hearty handshake.9. A gentleman keeps his leather shoes polished and his fingernail clean.10. A gentleman admits when he is wrong.11. A gentleman does not pick a fight.

How To be a Gentleman by John Bridges

What is most important today for our boys?

Where are our boys most vulnerable?

Cultural influences working against boys:• Suicide• Alcohol and drug abuse• Sexual violence / consent• Family systems / structure• Shifting economy• Workplace Competition• Unclear signals about what it means to be a man• Pornography

How do we teach it?

How do we teach it?

• Instill an ethos of respect and trust school wide• Adult modeling• Curriculum – health and wellness• Honor Code• Parent partnering• Assemblies and other gathered occasions• Seizing teachable moments in current events• Rainbow Crusaders – LBGTQ awareness and support

We hope to provide each boy with a tool kit which will enable good decision making.

Some Specifics - Programming

• Distracted Driver Program – students 9 -12 and Parent program• (UMD Shock trauma Center and SPS Grad)• Adolescent Depressions – evening program for Students and Parents• Cyber Bullying Program – students 9 -12 / Parent Program• Healthy Masculinity – 11th– 12th graders (2 days). “What’s it mean to be a man”

(Frank Strasburger –Growing Up – Bowdoin College Men's Group)• One Love Foundation – all school and 11th grade program, Escalator• Brain Development in the Adolescent – student and parent program• Sex and Sexuality – 10th grade, student and parents, Dr. Andrew Sawyer, Univ. of MD.• Transition to College – 12th grade and parents, Loyola University Dean of Freshman

Chris PostHeadmaster, Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

IBSC Board Member

Emotional Health and Personal Well-Being

• Three most destructive words for a boy• Create a culture where our boys are “…remarkably happier than their peers.”• Emphasis on self-awareness and relationship-building, utilizing what we know boys

need• Peer to Peer Mentoring• Rituals: Advisory, Seminars and Retreat Programs• One Love Foundation

Peer to Peer Mentoring

• Changing Family Dynamics• The Genesis of Laker Corps and Laker Buddy• Inter-generational and Intra-generational• Closing Convocation

Rituals: Advisory, Seminars, and Retreat Programs

• Inspiration from lower school ‘homeroom’• Transitional issues• Freshman and Sophomore Seminars• The Senior Retreat

Partnership with the One Love Foundation

• Student led interest• First school-based student club in nation• Emphasis on healthy relationships• School wide “One Laker One Love” Day• Woven into fabric of school life

IBSC 2016-17 EventsUK/Europe Creative and Performing Arts Conference

Royal Grammar School (Guildford, England) – 4 July 2016

Single Gender Education: A Course for Teachers New to Boys’ Schools Online School for Boys Course: 25 July – 19 August 2016

ABSNZ: Senior Leadership in Boys’ Schools Conference for Deputy and Assistant Principals, Developing Character in Young Men

Pullman Hotel, Auckland (New Zealand): 8-9 September 2016

Academic Care: Exploring the Links Between Wellbeing, Resilience and Academic AchievementScotch College Melbourne (Australia): 14 – 15 September 2016

Helping Boys Cope with a Rapidly Changing WorldEton College (Eton, UK) – 28 September 2016

Single Gender Education: A Course for Teachers New to Boys’ Schools Online School for Boys Course: 10 October – 4 November 2016

Building Leadership in Schools for BoysOnline School for Boys Course: 17 October – 11 November 2016

IBSC 2016-17 Events2016 Conference on Coordinate Education

St. Paul’s School for Girls and St. Paul’s School (Baltimore, MD): 22-24 October, 2016

Teachers New to Boys’ Schools Conference The Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury, MD): 27-27 October, 2016

Admissions and Marketing ConferenceMontgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, TN): 2-3 December 2016

Global Inspiration NetworkOnline School for Boys Course: 1 January 2017

Character Education ConferenceMontgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, TN): 27-28 January 2017

The Family-School Relationship: An Examination and Study of Differing MethodologiesViaró Global School (Barcelona, Spain): 10 March 2017

Africa Regional ConferenceSt. Andrew’s College (Grahamstown, South Africa): March 2017

IBSC 2016-17 EventsTeachers New to Boys Schools

Scots College (Sydney, Australia): 12-13 April 2017

Wellbeing ConferenceCrescent School (Toronto, Canada): 28 April 2017

Enhancing the Lives of Boys through The ArtsSelwyn House (Canada): 4-6 May 2017

2017 ABSNZ Conference for Headmasters and Head BoysNew Zealand, May 2017

2017 IBSC Annual Conference, Beyond Innovation: Creativity, Discovery, & Engagement The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland (Baltimore, MD) – 25-28 June 2017

The IBSC 5th Annual Student ForumThe Boys’ Latin School of Maryland (Baltimore, MD) – June 2017

Single Gender Education: A Course for Teachers New to Boys’ Schools Online School for Boys Course: 17 July – 11 August 2017

Building Leadership in Schools for BoysOnline School for Boys Course: 17 July – 11 August 2017

2017 IBSC Annual Conference

IBSC Research

IBSC Action Research

International Boys’ Schools Coalition

www.theibsc.org