IBSC Ideas Lab
Professional Conversations for School Counselors and Pastoral Staff in Boys' Schools
Starting May 1, 2025
IBSC Ideas Lab invites school counselors and pastoral staff at member schools to connect virtually using the free online tool Zoom. Limited to 14 participants plus the facilitator, this IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss relevant topics.
Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Before each session, participants engage with relevant resources to provide a foundation for discussions. Together we surface fresh ideas and build mutual support structures and enduring professional friendships.
Available exclusively to IBSC member schools, first-time participants who can commit to joining all three sessions get preference in registration to support the success of each small group. No more than two participants from one school may register for an IBSC Ideas Lab.
In the spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, IBSC Ideas Labs are not recorded, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves openly and share their experiences candidly.
Who Should Attend?
School counselors, educational psychologists, house directors, well-being coordinators, residential or boarding staff, chaplains and spiritual advisors, and other staff responsible for boys’ well-being beyond academics and co-curricular activities
Format
Participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Carrie Friend, director of counseling, St. Albans School (United States), facilitates each session.
Conversation Topics
Conversation 1
The Evolving Boy: Navigating Masculinity, Mental Health, and the Digital World
Thursday, May 1, 4:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM BST, 10:00 PM SAST
Friday, May 2, 6:00 AM AEST, 8:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
Join global colleagues as we spark a conversation around the shifting perspectives on masculinity, the challenges of mental health, and the influence of social media and technology. In this interactive exchange, share personal insights and strategies on how we can reevaluate traditional views of masculinity and promote healthy emotional expression. Discuss how digital pressures—from cyberbullying to the dynamics of online identity and the manosphere—affect boys’ well-being.
Conversation 2
Cultivating a Culture of Care: Boys’ Behavioral Well-Being
Thursday, May 8, 4:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM BST, 10:00 PM SAST
Friday, May 9, 6:00 AM AEST, 8:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
Gather with international peers to discuss the art of crafting a comprehensive culture of care in boys’ schools. Explore how the intersections of consent education, social-emotional learning, and proactive behavioral support create nurturing environments. Share best practices and innovative approaches for fostering empathy, respect, and responsible decision-making, ensuring every boy feels valued and understood.
Conversation 3
Academic and Emotional Alignment: Bridging the Gap for Boys' Success
Monday, May 12, 4:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM BST, 10:00 PM SAST
Tuesday, May 13, 6:00 AM AEST, 8:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
Connect with educators worldwide to explore the balance between academic support and social-emotional growth. In this collaborative dialogue, exchange ideas on integrating early intervention strategies, aligning academic and pastoral efforts, and identifying at-risk students. Emphasize a shared approach to cultivating environments where academic achievement and emotional well-being support one another, paving the way for holistic student success.
Registration
IBSC member rate: US $170
Refund Policy
IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received by April 17, 2025. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this time. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.
Please note: Watch your email for login information for this Ideas Lab by April 24, 2025. If you registered later than this time, watch for login information within 24 hours.
Participation certificates: Participants present for all three conversations will receive a certificate of participation within two weeks of the final session.
Facilitator
Carrie Friend
Carrie Friend is the director of counseling at St. Albans School (United States), a day school complemented by a select boarding program in Washington. Her remit extends across divisions, supporting students aged 9-18, alongside families, faculty, and staff. Beyond individual counseling, she shapes school-wide initiatives designed to bolster the social and emotional well-being of the St. Albans community. Friend also instructs a course in social psychology, contributes to the upper school admissions process, regularly addresses parents and colleagues, and partners with the school therapy dog, a program she initiated in 2019. This marks Friend’s 11th year at St. Albans. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from The George Washington University.