Developing a School-Based Research Program

IBSC Research in Boys’ Schools Series

February 15 – 18, 2022

Hosted Online by St. Christopher’s School (United States)

On-Demand Class Bundle

Learn from this and two other past sessions in the research series when you register for the research on-demand class bundle. Learn more.

Hear from Kim Hudson, Laura Sabo, and Derek Porter as they share their experience of developing a research fellows program through The Center for the Study of Boys at St. Christopher’s School (United States). Current research fellows also share their experience with this school-based research program. Hudson, Sabo, and Porter explain why they developed this program, highlight how they have structured the program, and offer suggestions to schools about steps to take when developing a school-based research program. Registered participants also gain access to additional resources from the St. Christopher’s Center for the Study of Boys.

Access this first presentation in the research series on the IBSC Shorts platform from February 15 – 18, 2022. During this time you may interact with the presenters and other participants on the class discussion board to grow and learn together.

Who Should Attend?

Leaders and teachers in boys’ schools interested in developing school-based research programs

Format

Each topic in the series includes a 40-minute, pre-recorded presentation, followed by an asynchronous conversation with fellow participants and presenters on a discussion board. You have access to this content and conversation for four consecutive days. Comment on the presentation, interact with the presenters, share your own resources that may benefit others, and learn from the information global colleagues contribute. 

Registration

IBSC member rate: US $50

Pay by credit card only. This program is limited to the first 200 registrants.

Please note: Watch your email for login information for the IBSC Research in Boys’ Schools Speaker Series 24 hours before the presentation goes live.

Presenters

Kim Hudson

Kim Hudson joined St. Christopher’s School in 2006 as an upper school academic resource teacher. She was named director of the Center for the Study of Boys when it launched in 2014.

Hudson works to promote best practices in engaging and teaching boys through research, professional development, and programming. She also serves as a faculty advisor to the Peer Advisor Program and as a member of the Community Assistance Team and the Upper School Guidance Committee. Previously, Hudson worked as an elementary special education teacher in Hanover County, Virginia, a graduate assistant and course instructor at University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education, and an adjunct professor for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. She holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from University of Virginia. Hudson has garnered the Andrew Jackson Bolling III Faculty Award and the Armstrong-Jennings Award. She holds the chair of Distinguished Teaching and Collaborative Research.

Laura Sabo

Laura Sabo joined St. Christopher’s School in 2010 as a lower school instructional technologist. In 2014, she became one of the lower school librarians.

Along with nurturing a love of reading, Sabo works with her Learning Commons team to help faculty integrate technology and information literacy skills in the context of classroom curriculum. A strong believer in promoting a teacher-as-researcher culture, each year she also supports a cross-divisional team of St. Christopher’s faculty members as they conduct action research projects. Sabo first got involved with IBSC in 2012 when she investigated how technology inspires creativity in boys. In 2014, she became an IBSC Action Research advisor and spent the next six years coaching teams of international teacher researchers. In 2020, Sabo took on the leadership role of IBSC Action Research Program Coordinator. Previously, she worked as an instructional technologist in many Richmond-area independent schools and in the University of Richmond’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Sabo holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Mary Washington and a master’s of information degree from Rutgers University. In 2017, she received the Norma Alley Faculty Prize.

Derek Porter

Derek Porter has been instrumental in creating and refreshing the middle school curriculum since joining St. Christopher's School in 2013.

He designed the sixth grade social studies course, Global Thinking, and has made a significant impact on how history and current events are taught in the middle school. The hallmark of his career has been empowering students to become responsible global citizens who think critically. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, Porter is currently pursuing a doctorate at William & Mary’s School of Education, where he earned the DiPaola Family Scholarship, which is granted to doctoral students who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to PK-12 education. He has focused his dissertation on evaluating the effectiveness of the Saints Action Research Program. His essential efforts will shape the path forward for professional development offered by the Center for the Study of Boys.