M is for Motivation

Do you believe in the potential for each student you teach? Think carefully - not most students or some students, high-achieving students or engaged students - but every student whose name appears on the class lists? Levine's poem below speaks to the heart of the teacher, but it was never written just for educators. Motivation overrides gender, ethnicity, learning ability, and age.

I had a student in my remedial classes, a young man who came from a disconnected family who had never valued education. I became this student's cheerleader and daily impressed upon him the power of learning everything he could to achieve his high school diploma. A simple aspiration for those who value graduate degrees, but not so simple for someone who had few people pushing him forward.

Mike graduated, reluctant and somewhat disinterested to the end. Several weeks into the next school year (in an era when students could still walk into buildings, wave at office staff, and go to classrooms), Mike appeared in my doorway during class. Unassuming and on a mission, he ignored the class I was teaching and strode to my desk. He parked one hip on the desktop and announced, "Well, I just had to come here first to tell you the good news!" Surprised, I responded, "Do tell, Mike!"

With all the pride a young man could show, Mike shared that because he had his diploma and a proven track record with part-time work, he had been given one of the town's new garbage trucks as his own to use as the newest sanitation officer. "With benefits, a 401K, and all kinds of stuff!" He was grinning from ear to ear and I had tears in my eyes. The first in his family to achieve and now, independent in every important way. He went on to talk about apartments, a new truck, and someday, a girlfriend. Motivation and a belief in his value moved this student to places he never knew he could go. He is still in this job and has become a shift supervisor. My own pride for him is boundless.

If you find yourself tempted to mention even once that a particular student just can't learn, it's time to rethink your commitment to education and make important changes. Every human being has a dream and you are in the most honored position to positively affect the dreams of so many vulnerable people. Do you have the courage to believe in their potential so they can meet their dreams? They are depending on you. You are their lifeline, guiding light, and motivation. I helped Mike to believe.

There is inside you

All of the potential

To be whatever you want to be;

All of the energy

To do whatever you want to do.

Imagine yourself as you would like to be,

Doing what you want to do,

And each day, take one step

Towards your dream.

And though at times it may seem too

difficult to continue,

Hold on to your dream.

One morning you will awake to find

That you are the person you dreamed of,

Doing what you wanted to do,

Simply because you had the courage

To believe in your potential

And to hold on to your dream.

Author, Donna Levine

Reflection: Choose a student facing failure in your class, based on persistent disengagement or current low grades, and offer that learner a chance at a dream today. Tomorrow, choose another...then another...and another. What will you do to motivate, connect, and facilitate his or her dream? Be specific because you can't motivate with generalities! We make a difference one person at a time.