Bro Do You Even Learn?- Unpacking Masculinity in Schools

What does it mean to be a boy in today’s classrooms, and what happens when dominant ideas of masculinity collide with expectations of schooling? Drawing from my graduate research, this session explores how gender norms impact student engagement, achievement, and classroom culture. Together, we will explore how schools both reinforce and resist narrow versions of masculinity and how this affects not only boys’ learning but the dynamics of the classroom as a whole. Participants will gain insight into how dominant masculinity influences boys’ experiences of schooling, consider practical ways to challenge and reframe limiting gender norms, and leave with strategies for building inclusive environments that center belonging and authentic engagement. This session is for educators who want to better understand the “boy crisis” discourse while moving toward more nuanced, research-informed, and justice-oriented practices.