A School for Boys?

A few years ago I read Bring Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. I posted my thoughts and convictions about it, but still haven't done much by way of change in the school system. I feel like now that my son is 3 time is closing in on me to be the change I so desire. I don't even know exactly what that change looks likes, but I know that what's happening now in both public and private schools isn't working for boys. And I don't want to just sit back and complain about it. I thought that as a parent coach I could lead Continuing Education Classes for teachers, but after calling a few local districts and offering a course on how to better manage boys in the classroom no one was interested. As a graduate student I befriended one of my professors who had developed what she called The ADHD Classroom Management Kit. I then took it and adapted to my own general education classroom. It was a very fun and effective way to manage the class as a whole regardless of any dissibilites. All the students enjoyed it and it made my life easier. The problem was that other teachers didn't want to implement it because it does take more time and effort, but I figure you are going to spend the time either way, either constantly punishing or consistently managing. When you choose constantly punishing the child doesn't learn because he isn't taught how to replace 1 bad behavior choice with 1 good one and will eventually give up and quit making the effort towards good behavior. I also put together a Cool Down Kit for students in the classroom. I only had 1 teacher ever want to use it and she loved it and found it quite helpful. Other teachers saw it as a reward for bad behavior rather than a way to teach coping skills. I just feel like what I've learned as not only a parent coach, but also as a parent combined with these kits that I am sitting on a gold mine of effective classroom management that doesn't just favor girls. These things could not only build boys' self esteem, but also make teachers' lives easier.

So that all said, my friend, who was a behavioral specialist, took me aside recently while we were at our children's swim lessons and suggested that we start a school for boys. I was taken aback to say the least, but then as she began to talk (in that lovely british accent of hers) it all made perfect since and didn't seem that far fetched and crazy after all. It has been weighing on my mind. Maybe this was the change I've been looking for. Maybe instead of trying to change the system from the inside we should make our own change on the outside! How? When? Where? I have no clue, but I'm willing to put more thought into it and find more people to help us. Please pray for us as we know not what we are doing. :)