Abstract
This project has been undertaken with the purpose of challenging and changing the harmful expectations of gender norms and hegemonic masculinity imposed on children. I argue that in order to make a better future, in terms of gender equity, educators must challenge and question sexist and misogynist ideas that reflect United States imperialism and white supremacist patriarchy. In part, this means that educators should understand the historical context that constructs gender and its intersections with capitalism and racism. To address these issues, I have crafted a professional development course for K-12 educators that can be integrated within their teaching practices. Moreover, this professional development course seeks to facilitate better teaching for educators by providing an outline on how to communicate these concepts through a critical pedagogical lens. Ultimately, the goal of this development course is to challenge societal norms regarding gender, patriarchy, and toxic hegemonic masculinity.