A year ago, Marcus Wheeler won the State Division I Cross Country title in 15:36, a race he had not even qualified for the previous three years. A year ago he attended prom, was looking forward to graduation, and the next step in his future at Central Arizona College as a scholar and elite runner on an athletic scholarship. This same week last year, Marcus took his life, at school, …

Dr. Michael Gurian recieved an honorary doctor of letters in recognition of his contributions to gender neuroscience and efforts to improve education for children in disadvantaged communities this past weekend. His connections to Gonzaga began as a student, evolved as a faculty member and continued through the nonprofit Gurian Foundation he co-founded. Gurian, as a social philosopher and consultant over the past 25 years, has traveled extensively to colleges, schools, and conferences to bring …

Teaching and learning have always been embedded in my DNA. From a young age sitting in my mom’s high school French classroom, watching my Dad in the courtroom, and my step-mother lift families through social work in the depths of Detroit Public Schools, there wasn’t much conversation about a career path. It just was sort of an understood in my mind. I would teach. As my teaching career unfolded, I …

Part 1:  Social Media Apps As the technology changes, so must our efforts to protect our students and children. Social media apps can often turn a whole grade level at a school upside down, to say nothing of how it can devastate a family. We have recently learned the power of technology in my hometown, Phoenix, Arizona, in which a 14-year-old girl was prey via social media apps. Thankfully, the …

It is often said that “Boys should be boys”…..what does this exactly mean? Many boys go to school and flourish. They weave in and out of their social groups and do just fine. Some, however, struggle academically and socially, and never quite fit in that “man box” that culture and society ask of them. In this thought provoking interview, Rosalind Wiseman, author of ” Queen Bees and Wannabes” and “Masterminds …

An open letter to all parents and teachers regarding the subject of “aggression nurturance”.  We all know that boys and girls are definitively wired differently. They tend to tasks differently, play differently, and learn differently. In the last decade there has been a push to label lists of things “bullying” and “too rough” when these things are innately how boys play and explore their relationships with each other. We do a …

Our keynote and breakout sessions provide parents and professionals with best practices for working with students, clients, children, and one another. The practices and strategies can be utilized immediately in the home, school, or clinical setting to improve relationships, focus on skills, and shed new light on the inner worlds of boys and girls, and women and men. NEW OFFERING: TRAINING FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Lisa Bravo will focus on effective …

Let’s face it; I’m stupid. You know it, I know it, and my parents know it!” These words were spoken in anguish and anger to me by Chad, a 12-year-old student in my office. He reflected a profound problem that I could no longer ignore as a school principal. I had seen too many boys who did not succeed in school. I knew he was not stupid, and his parents …