Motivating Students

Anyone that has taught in the classroom has experienced the problem with motivating some students. You always have students that will do anything you ask, ones that do what you ask most of the time, and then the ones that no matter what you do, it's hard to get anything out of them. It is frustrating, but you have to look at each individual student to see what is going on with them. For different reasons, they don't come to school or they don't complete work or turn anything in. Most of the time, there is an underlying reason for this behavior. We just don't know what it is. These students sometimes do not have any support at home and are pretty much raising themselves or the family unit does not exist for them. As a teacher, I have found that you have to let them know that you are interested in them and want them to do well. Most students need praise and encouragement. They need to know that you are there for them. Sometimes you find out after they have graduated and moved on that you made a big impact on their lives. If you're really lucky, they get a chance to tell you face to face!