WELLBEING & GENDER IN SCHOOLS
Dr. Brendan K. Hartman
Research-based presentations and programs for all educators and learning organizations.
Well Researched. Thoroughly Tested. Real Results.
Dr. Brendan K. Hartman’s work bridges peer-reviewed mixed-methods research, classroom experience, and real-world implementation to help schools support student wellbeing with clarity and care. Brendan’s experience includes:
- Current Visiting Scholar in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Fraser Valley, BC.
- Former Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Education (Both at the University of the Fraser Valley and at Trinity Western University).
- Led a Canadian government-supported program for at-risk male youth.
- PhD in Education, University of Edinburgh — research focused on social-emotional development, gender equity, and masculinity in educational contexts.
- MA in Special Education where he created, led, and evaluated a social-emotional intervention and mentoring program.
- Former secondary school teacher across a wide variety of subject material.
- Secondary School Department Head for Aboriginal Perspectives and Worldviews
Common Challenges Schools Face
When it comes to boys, masculinity, and wellbeing, these are the most frequent concerns schools bring forward:
boys struggling silently
- Mental health challenges (e.g., substance use, screen overuse, gambling)
- Disengagement from academics and school life
- Loneliness and isolation—paired with a quiet desire for connection and guidance
Concerning Behaviors Emerging Loudly
- Echoing harmful online influencers (e.g., red-pill, black-pill, manosphere content)
- Aggressive or disrespectful language and behavior toward peers and staff; safety concerns
- Lack of empathy, accountability, and relational skills, especially in group dynamics
- Growing gender divides in peer relationships
Boys Feeling Like “Problems” Rather Than People
- Feeling misunderstood, vilified, or unfairly assumed to be in the wrong
- Fear of making mistakes, asking questions, or expressing honest opinions
What kind of culture do you want to strengthen in your school — for students and staff alike?
By partnering with Brendan, you will:
- Deliver staff professional learning that is practical and well-received
- Strengthen SEL and wellbeing initiatives so they resonate with more students
- Support healthy, balanced gender and equity conversations
- Improve student engagement in ways teachers can sustain
- Build positive school culture with clarity and care
What a Day with Dr. Brendan K. Hartman Can Look Like
The following schedule is an example of how a full-day, in-person visit could be structured to support students, staff, and families.
Every school is different.
1. During the School Day
Assemblies (All-School or Grade-Specific)
E.g., The Goldfish Gen(d)eration: How Gender, Emotions, and Social Pressures Shape Your World. An engaging, high-impact session exploring how gender norms, emotional suppression, and digital culture are shaping student wellbeing, relationships, and identity. Students leave with language, awareness, and a clearer understanding of themselves and each other.
Student Workshops & Real Conversations
Smaller, interactive sessions designed for both targeted groups and/or opt-in student-led conversations. These can be tailored to specific groups (e.g., leadership students, grade level cohorts/classes, affinity groups, mixed-gender spaces, sports teams etc.) or opened up as guided conversations based on what students most want to talk about. These sessions are grounded in the real topics* students are already thinking about but don’t always have space to explore, including:
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
Stress, anxiety, anger, loneliness, body image, sports betting, and supporting friends - Relationships, Dating & Sex
Breakups, red flags, consent, masculinity expectations, and communication - Social Media, Porn & Online Influences
Algorithms, comparison, addictive behaviours, unrealistic expectations, addressing red-pilled and black-pilled talking points - Gender, Identity & Cultural Tensions
Masculinity, feminism, LGBTQ+ topics, racism, intersectionality - Polarization & Controversial Conversations
The topics students are already debating—but often without the tools to do it well.
Students don’t just receive content—they engage in real conversations. Dr. Hartman brings the structure, insight, and facilitation to make those conversations meaningful, respectful, and safe.
*Topics are drawn directly from patterns across hundreds of student workshops and conversations.
Drop in Hour
A flexible, informal space where students or faculty can connect, ask questions, or continue conversations in a more personal setting.
2. After School
Faculty & Staff Workshop
E.g., Gender-Conscious Social-Emotional Learning: Supporting Students in the Age of Masculinity, Media & Polarization. A practical, research-informed session for educators focused on the specific needs of their community. This might include:
- Understanding how gender norms shape student behaviour and wellbeing
- Responding to emotional shutdown, conflict, and disengagement
- Navigating sensitive or polarized topics in the classroom
- Building emotionally safe and relationally strong learning environments
Includes access to 40+ ready-to-use resources, tools, and frameworks for immediate classroom integration.
3. Evening Session
Parent & Caregiver Talk
E.g., Raising Resilient Children in a (Dis)Connected World: What’s Really Going On — and How to Support Them
A clear, accessible breakdown of the social, emotional, and gender dynamics shaping today’s children & youth—paired with actionable strategies parents can use right away.
These talks focus on three key areas:
- Awareness — what kids are exposed to online and how to navigate it
- Conversations — how to talk about hard topics effectively
- Together — the actions kids need from us, and what we need from each other to create real change
+ Common Customizations
- All-Boys or Boys-Focused Programming
- Mixed-Gender / Whole Community Approach
- Middle School vs. High School Adaptation
- Athletics & High-Performance Environments
- Faith-Based or Values-Aligned Schools
- Specific Focus Areas (e.g., mental health, emotional intelligence training, academic support, sports teams, relationships, social media, masculinity, gender equity, bystander skills)
No two schools will experience the same program because no two student communities are the same.
- A single or multi-day workshop/public speaking event on social-emotional development, empathy, team dynamics, mental wellness, and/or gender dynamics.
- Can include parents, staff, and/or students.
- Includes cursory recommendations for next steps PLUS 40-page toolkit for gender conscious social emotional program for male students and youth.
- “Essentials” package PLUS ongoing regular interventions and support for staff and students.
- Dive deeper into emotional intelligence training and gender equity practice through role playing.
- Includes regular interventions with staff/students AND customized assessment with multi-faceted action plan.
- “Momentum” package PLUS system-wide consultation, surveys, program research and efficacy studies.
- Fully customized to your context.
- Can include impact measurement, 1-on-1 or small group coaching, and custom curriculum PLUS ongoing virtual groups facilitation.
With a PhD focused on masculinity, culture, and wellbeing, Brendan has worked with dozens of schools across North America – from K-12 and graduate programs – in a wide variety of organizations, and with countless youth to address gender dynamics in ways that are thoughtful, accessible, and most importantly… actionable.
“We need to stop viewing boys as problems to be solved.”
Dr. Allyson Jule’s (my MA supervisor at the time) words have stayed with me since she first shared them in 2015. In the years since, I’ve seen how conversations around gender can leave educators feeling cautious, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward in ways that are both supportive and institutionally sound.
My work exists to support clear, research-informed conversations about gender that strengthen student wellbeing, accountability, and connection—without shame, polarization, or oversimplification.
Thousands of students have experienced the benefits of the adults around them being equipped with language, tools, and confidence to engage these issues thoughtfully. Whether in classrooms, staff teams, or school communities, my work will help you navigate gender and culture in ways that support healthy development and positive learning environments.
Simply put: I offer grounded, hopeful pathways forward—for the wellbeing of all students, yours included.
Let’s connect.
Book a Free Consultation Call with me to discuss wellness and gender in schools.