NEW APPROACH ALLEVIATES FEELING OF SHAME IN THE CLASSROOM MEET MATT VIGIL
What happens to students who are misunderstood or even shamed in the classroom ? If they are lucky enough to hail from Greenwood Village , Colorado , they may find themselves in the classroom of Matt Vigil , learning how to recognize their true value . Vigil is a teaching veteran who , three years ago , was asked to design a curriculum to help students who have experienced a traumatic classroom experience .
Teachers are human and sometimes don ’ t act fully in the interest of their students . What they say in the classroom can , unknowingly , carry huge consequences for students , opening the floodgates for feelings of low self-worth . These emotions can overwhelm a child , resulting in poor school performance as well as worrisome changes in personality .
Vigil creates a safe space for these students , where they can learn in an environment of acceptance and open discussion . Inspired by legendary educator Brené Brown , Vigil has become an expert in teaching these students how to cope with feelings that threaten their well-being and success in school . “ So much of Brown ’ s work resonated with me that I knew I had to use that as a starting point for my students ,” he says . He helps students learn the proper vocabulary with which to express their inner feelings and talk constructively about their experiences .
Many of Vigil ’ s students suffer in a pool of resentment that may fester for years . Residual thoughts of “ Did the teacher see me ? Hear me ? Do I even matter ?” can take years to “ unpack ,” says Vigil . “ Our entire purpose is to get them to
realize that someone does see them and hear them , and that they do matter .” His students are not on an Individualized Education Program ( IEP ) or a 504 plan — both of which make teaching accommodations for students with learning issues or disabilities . “ It ’ s really meant for the students who would otherwise fall through the cracks ,” says Vigil .
As a Master ’ s-level reading specialist , Vigil uses reading and writing tools to encourage students to express their resentments in a productive way . Students are allowed a safe space to process their negative selfblame , reflect on the actions of the offending teacher , and learn how to reduce conflict by owning their own positive and negative misperceptions .
Vigil includes parents in his program , communicating with them via email , and providing educational resource materials . Parents are typically first to witness tremendous changes in their child , often calling Vigil ’ s class “ life changing .” “ They see their kids pulling down the armor they ’ ve been carrying around for years ,” says Vigil . “ For the first time , these students are forming a constructive relationship with an adult mentor in an educational setting . They begin to feel a sense of belonging at school .”
Vigil believes that he has found his purpose in helping kids who have been shamed in the classroom . “ Shaming methods should have no part of the educational process ,” says Vigil . “ Instead , let ’ s embrace who the child really is , teaching them that we love them and that they matter .”
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