At his most recent seminar, “Boy, oh boy ... Let’s get reading and writing!” Justin Matott, author and anti-bullying advocate, was teaching teachers.

Matott is known for his work in schools with children. He has written several children’s books and visits many southwestern schools to conduct writing workshops with students. His said his main goals are getting boys interested in reading and writing, and breaking down the stereotype that those are not masculine activities.

On June 5, he held his latest seminar, but with teachers rather than elementary students in the audience. Matott was working with them to find find ways to help students see that reading and writing can be fun.

Matott said he is a “gym “rat and Harley rider, more widely recognized masculine activities. He also a sense of humor, childlike sense of fun and natural storytelling abilities that engage students when he speaks in public. Matott said this reinforces his message about preconceived notions about kids who enjoy reading.

“The students aren’t just watching an adult telling a story,” he said. “They are a part of it.”

Several teachers from Jefferson County Public Schools have invited Matott to give workshops.

This year at Coronado Elementary School in Littleton, students recited poetry that he had written. Then at the school’s oral interpretation festival, some students recited pieces they had written and pieces by their favorite offers, while Matott emceed.

According to a press release from the Jeffco Public Schools department of communication, Matott told the students, “you kids who have come up here and recited your pieces are some of the bravest kids in the school.”

At another district event this year, Matott spent the day at Hackberry Hill Elementary School in Arvada. At that appearance he addressed anti-bullying, using humor and his personal experience.

Matott said he had been bullied when he was in elementary school. He said that, as someone who experienced that and knew how damaging it could be to an individual, he has a good idea as an adult how to talk to students about bullying and stopping that behavior.

“When it’s real, and told by someone who has actually experienced it, it makes a much bigger impact,” he said.

LuAnn Feely, a teacher at Hackberry, wrote about Matott’s visit to the school in her blog. She said, “He brought enthusiasm, humor and excitement about writing to our students.”

Matott said when his workshops are aimed at teachers, his goal is to make them experience his program like their students do.

“I want them to see how the kids feel when they’re in the workshop,” he said. “I want them acting like fourth-graders, and letting their guards down.”