Do Teachers Need Motivation Too?

A lunch hour meeting was called. Teachers were not happy.

“This is my only free time! Why would they call a meeting now?” some complained.

I dutifully made my way to the staff room where the meeting was to be held. As I went in, the Vice Principal handed me a container of pencils and said, “You are the first to arrive! Choose any two pencils.”

I immediately began to smile. I felt encouraged and happy. I took my time choosing my prize.

I sat and watched as teacher after teacher forgot about their annoyance at having a lunch hour meeting and got excited about choosing a pencil prize.

This was over six years ago.

I have thought about this day often as over the years at home and abroad, I have watched similar reactions from teachers at all ages and stages of life. Teachers are never out of pencils, so why was a pencil prize such a significant experience? I have come to the conclusion that the prize does not matter. What matters is the feeling that getting a prize evokes. The feeling you get from realizing that your hard work, your effort, your sacrifice is acknowledged and appreciated.

Many theorists have tried to explain the power of motivation. Where I believe they all agree is that we all need motivation in some form.

Motivation doesn’t have to come from a prize, it can be an encouraging word, a card, a pat on the shoulder, support. However it is presented, it can have a positive effect on the individual receiving it.

So to answer the question Do Teachers Need Motivation Too? I would say yes they do! Teaching can be a very challenging, stressful, and often thankless job. Give them a prize, please! Hint, hint, teachers love stationary.

 ~ Janice Wright

    July 24, 2020