About

The Center for the Study of Boys

was established by St. Christopher’s School in 2014, reflecting St. Christopher’s commitment to being a global leader in educating boys.

Vision

To be a global thought leader in best practices for educating boys, serving as a resource for educators and parents seeking expertise in raising boys.

Mission

Reflecting St. Christopher's commitment to being a global leader in educating boys, The Center for the Study of Boys is dedicated to promoting best practices in engaging and teaching boys through research, professional development, and programming.

Core Values

We respect, understand, and value the complexity and uniqueness of boys.
We provide opportunities for educators, parents, and the boys themselves to understand and reflect on their own journeys to manhood and to learn from the journeys of others.
We seek to understand the experiences of boys first and foremost through the boys’ voices and we honor the boys’ contributions to the work of the center.
We value partnerships with educators from around the world, knowing through this work we will expand the understanding of issues facing boys.

The Center for the Study of Boys Team

Dr. Kim Hudson

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Director of the Center for the Study of Boys

Kim Hudson joined St. Christopher’s in 2006 as an Upper School Academic Resource teacher. She was named Director of the Center for The Study of Boys when the center launched in 2014.
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Kim works to promote best practices in engaging and teaching boys through research, professional development, and programming. She also serves as the Associate Head of Upper School, focusing on student affairs. Kim serves on the International Boys' Schools Coalition Board of Trustees and is Chair of the International Boys' Schools Coalition Research Committee.
Previously, Kim worked as an elementary special education teacher in Hanover County, a graduate assistant and course instructor at UVA’s Curry School of Education, and an adjunct professor for the VCU School of Education. Kim holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from University of Virginia. Kim is a recipient of the Andrew Jackson Bolling III Faculty Award and the Armstrong-Jennings Award. Kim holds the Chair of Distinguished Teaching and Collaborative Research.

Dr. David Shin

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CSB Coordinator of Research

David is an educator with 18 years of experience teaching science and robotics, inspiring students to develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Throughout his career, David has been passionate about making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for learners of all ages.
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David earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from the College of William & Mary in 2021. His doctoral work focused on understanding how teachers’ ability to empathize with their students can create safe learning environments for all types of students. Beyond the K-12 classroom, David has contributed to higher education as a student-teacher trainer, working with educators at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Randolph Macon College, and the University of Richmond.

In 2024, David takes on a new role at the Center for the Study of Boys. With a deep appreciation for how boys learn and thrive in academic settings, David is excited to contribute towards the Center’s mission of supporting St. Christopher’s School boys and IBSC network schools with sound research to improve learning outcomes worldwide.

Laura Sabo

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Academic Research Coordinator

Laura Sabo joined St. Christopher’s in 2010 as a Lower School Instructional Technologist. In 2014 she became one of our Lower School librarians. Laura also supports faculty members as they conduct action research projects.
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Along with nurturing a love of reading, she 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 Laura also supports a cross-divisional team of St. Christopher’s faculty members as they conduct action research projects. She has been involved with the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC) since 2012 when she investigated how technology inspires creativity in boys. In 2014 she became an IBSC Action Research Advisor, and for the next six years, she coached teams of international teacher researchers. In 2020 Laura was named the IBSC Action Research Program Coordinator.

Previously, Laura has worked as an instructional technologist in many Richmond-area independent schools and in the University of Richmond’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Mary Washington and will receive a Masters of Information degree from Rutgers University in May ‘21. Laura was the 2017 recipient of the Norma Alley Faculty Prize.

Jen O'Ferrall

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CSB Coordinator of Parent Programming

In 2022, Jen joined The Center for the Study of Boys as the Coordinator of Parent Programming. With the Center’s mission in mind, Jen works closely with key stakeholders to identify and offer timely programming centered around the development of our boys.
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Previously, Jen worked in Henrico County Public Schools and as an Adjunct Professor for Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Radford University, a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and a Reading Specialist degree from VCU, and a post-master's certificate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Richmond. Jen was the 20th recipient of the Hawkin’s Hideaway Prize for Loyalty and Service.

Jen O’Ferrall joined St. Christopher’s as a fourth grade teacher in the Lower School in 2008. She joined the Lower School’s Academic Resource Team in 2014, and then transitioned into the role of the division’s Director of Student Life. In 2024, she joined the Upper School's Academic Resource Team as an Academic Support Teacher.

Casey Torrence

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Rites of Passage Coordinator

In 2024, Casey joined The Center for the Study of Boys as the Rites of Passage Coordinator. Casey has demonstrated her commitment to Rites of Passage (RoP) at St. Christopher's through her service to the RoP Committee since 2022 and through her instrumental leadership in developing and facilitating Rites of Passage for student retreats.
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Rites of Passage are designed to support our boys' social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being in order to facilitate the process of transitioning from one stage of development to another by facing challenges, internalizing individual and community norms and fostering a positive identity within themselves, their school and society.

Casey will work with The Center for the Study of Boys to develop a vision for Rites of Passage at St. Christopher's. She will partner with faculty across the three academic divisions to develop and implement Rites of Passage for our boys and support the research efforts of the Center in measuring implementation and outcomes of Rites of Passage.

Casey joined St. Christopher’s in 2014 as a member of the Upper School Academic Support Team and then transitioned to classroom teaching in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Casey was the recipient of the Armstrong-Jennings Award in 2023 and the Andrew Jackson Bolling Faculty Prize in 2020. Throughout her years, Casey has extensive experience as an outstanding classroom teacher, advisor, House Dean, climbing team sponsor and faculty sponsor of the Student Council.