Summit for the Education of Young Men
Feb 11, 2026 9:00AM—2:00PM
Location
Harvard-Westlake Middle School
Cost Early Bird Pricing for Members (Available until January 22) $500 members; $425 group-rate 3+; $790 non-members
Categories Conference, Curriculum & Pedagogy, Intensive, Online, Social & Emotional Learning, Teachers
ABOUT THIS IN-PERSON SUMMIT
Join us for a day-long learning experience centered on supporting the healthy development of adolescent male-identified students and challenging problematic societal trends. In a unique collaboration, CATDC and Harvard-Westlake School are partnering with Professor Matt Englar-Carlson and Professor Ioakim Boutakidis from California State University, Fullerton, to shape a day of learning that bridges research, data, and actionable solutions. In cohorts, participants will integrate their learning, evolve their classroom practices, skills, and tools, and return to their schools with insights that have the potential to create immediate impact.
During this day-long program, participants will engage with Dr. Englar-Carlson, Professor of Counseling and Director and Founder of the Center for Boys and Men, and Professor Boutakidis, Professor of Child & Adolescent Studies at California State University, Fullerton, and Research Fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men, around the following topics:
- Well-being and boys: What are the challenges, why do they persist, and what are the ways to better understand the contextual factors that sustain the challenges, so that there is a better understanding of what healthy boyhood could be.
- Social Media and Attention: Discuss Social Media/Manosphere and what our current understandings are of its reach, scope, and impact. There will be an emphasis on raising appropriate concerns without engaging in a non-productive moral panic approach.
- Building Bridges to Growth and Connection in School Settings: Delve into the core elements of fostering thriving boys in school settings. By emphasizing the importance of connection—including the vital role of connection within a peer group—authenticity, and motivation, educators can create spaces where boys feel seen and valued. Discover actionable strategies that inspire hope and equip educators with skills to nurture positive boyhood.
Participants will:
- Engage with cohorts of educators committed to making systemic change in their institutions that strengthen support systems for male-identified students
- Cultivate an understanding of the depth and breadth of research supporting the healthy, holistic development of young men
- Learn how to counter problematic societal messages and trends that show up through media and are reinforced in interpersonal relationships
- Strengthen the ability to advocate for systems in their communities that support male-identified students during this critical time
- Develop their understanding of healthy masculinity in boys and male adolescents
AUDIENCE
This summit is designed for middle and high school educators.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson is a Professor and Chair in Counseling at California State University, Fullerton, where he also directs the Center for Boys and Men. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and core author of the APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men. He is the author of multiple books, including In the Room with Men: A Casebook of Therapeutic Change, Counseling Troubled Boys: A Guidebook for Professionals, Beyond the 50-Minute Hour: Therapists Involved in Meaningful Social Action, and A Counselor’s Guide to Working with Men. He is the co-chair of the APA Task Force on Boys in School, the clinical advisor for the men’s mental health app, Mental, and the AI therapy app, Pathos, and serves on Movember’s Global Men’s Health Advisory Committee and the advisory board for the Positive Masculinity Foundation. As a clinician, he has worked with children, adults, and families in school, community, and university mental health settings.
Dr. Ioakim Boutakidis is a Professor of Child & Adolescent Studies, having previously served as Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, Chair of the Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, and Associate Dean of Student Success at California State University, Fullerton. He is currently a Research Fellow with the American Institute for Boys & Men (AIBM) and also serves as a member of the APA Task Force on Boys in School, focusing on the academic challenges facing adolescents. His current research looks at the academic outcomes for adolescents and young men in secondary and post-secondary settings and what drives improvements. His previous research focused on improving academic outcomes for historically underserved students, designing, running, and assessing student support interventions designed to improve retention and graduation rates.
HOST AND PARTNER SCHOOL
CATDC partners with member schools to host our in-person programs, providing educators the opportunity to learn with peers in diverse settings. We are thrilled to partner with Harvard-Westlake School on this program, welcoming the larger independent school community on their campus for a day of learning and collaboration.
Cancellation Policy
Life happens. We understand that there will be times when you cannot attend a workshop that you have registered and paid for. We strive to be as helpful and flexible as possible when things out of your control happen. Please visit our FAQ page for detailed information about our cancellation policy and answers to frequently asked questions about enrollment and membership.