Hillview Teacher Promotes Power Without Patriarchy

Boys will be boys, but if ignored, seemingly innocent boyish quirks can evolve into serious societal issues.

Kim Staff, History teacher at , is committed to providing at-risk boys with the emotional nourishment to become well-adjusted men.

“Developmentally, the boys are just behind,” Staff said. “We haven’t necessarily taught our boys coping skills because they’re more obtuse in behavior.”

Staff is applying for the Jeanie Ritchie Innovation Grant, a grant that promotes creative improvements in the classroom, in order to continue her afterschool program Power is Ours: Becoming a Man. The program began in 2007.

In the past, Staff has developed programs for both boys and girls but said because the educational system structure is geared toward girls, young men need special attention.

“We live in a world of patriarchy,” Staff said. “If we haven’t empowered them properly, boys and men are a whole different beast.”

The history teacher will be applying for approximately $5,000 of the grant to fund her program that will utilize positive empowerment to instill self-esteem in male students of Hillview.

Her unique visions for education have gained her support in the , notably, from board member

“Kim is like a teacher, big sister, counselor and life coach rolled into one,” Lambert said. “The students know that she is there for them if they need her.”

Staff is intricate with developing a positive program that utilizes poetry, folk tales, documentaries and guest speakers, Lambert said.

“The program teaches students the responsibilities and joys of becoming a mature man in our society,” she said.

Lambert also praised Staff for her open availability to her students during the school year and summer, days, nights and even weekends.

“Kim's commitment to the students is unwavering and our district is fortunate to have such a wonderful mentor for our students who need some extra support,” Lambert said.

The program focuses on archetypes of masculinity as theorized by Carl Jung.

“Boys think in black and white, girls have more gray,” she said. “The archetypes work so weel because they’re concrete.”

Of the four archetypes, the King, the Warrior, the Magician and the Lover, Staff said for this age group she focuses on the archetypes of the King and the Warrior.

“The King represents the complete male psyche,” Staff said. “He is responsible and empowers himself by empowering others.”

The character Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird most appropriately exemplifies the King, Staff said.

“The Warrior is able to determine when to fight and when to not fight,” Staff said.

Though Staff in no way condones violence, but believes that boys sometimes need to be allowed to be aggressive. But these archetypes are not meant to stereotype the boys, which Staff said has become a detrimental factor in popular media.

She used the sitcom Two and a Half Men as a prime example as to how the media can produce harmful stereotypes as glorified masculinity.

“One is the pimp player and his brother is the lame nerdy guy,” Staff said. “So, you’re either a hot shot or a total loser.”

By bringing boys into an environment where they can openly express themselves openly yet in a masculine way can free them from those stereotypes, Staff said.

The program, which omits female students, has always been directed by Staff, a woman who doesn’t necessarily describe herself as androgynous but said she is unafraid to have masculine characteristics. Staff said, as a woman, her ability to direct the program has never been questioned.

“The whole thing makes absolutely no sense,” she laughed. “But I come across as very safe to people.”

Staff said the majority of the boys in the program have been from East Palo Alto. But any male student is welcome to join the program.

As sons transition into manhood, their attitudes toward society and themselves will greatly influence the future.

“If we have boys who are individuated and in touch with themselves the whole world would be different,” Staff said.