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| eLinks Successories Motivation 123 Staff motivation - ideas for motivating employees Google list of motivational ideas ______________________ Wise Words Wise Words Sun Tze's Art of War Although Sun Tzu's Art of War has nothing to do with inspirations, but ... I found it quite interesting might help you in one way or another. Read them and see what I mean. _________________ Free Resources The free site ______________________ Humor Take a Humor Break ______________________ |
| Motivation is the key to making things happen in your life. Whether large or small, all of your goals and dreams can be realized with the power of motivation..This index page is focus on motivation ideas |
| _______________________________________________________________________ Site contains a Collectioon of Ideas for Personal Reference |
| Index Page (Motivating Teachers) |
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| Motivating Teachers Roduction to the Industry Teachers are naturally in the business of motivating. Beginning a journey in teaching normally is based on intrinsic motivators, one of the most important motivators being the desire to make a difference. Teachers are one of the first lines of shaping the minds of those who will further carry the responsibility to build nations and build companies. Unfortunately, the goal to make a difference in the nation's youth is often not enough to provide the most effective reward for members of an industry that historically has been a provider of low salaries and very often low benefits and perks. Schools are now paying more and more attention to the needs of their teachers as fewer people are entering the field and more are leaving for better paying professions. GoalManager.com surveyed three secondary education teachers across the nation to take note of what teachers themselves find as great motivators and rewards for their profession. Motivational Tips Participation in decision-making: Often, there are several teachers who have greater longevity at a school than does a principal or superintendent. Teachers are equally in touch with students and parents and often want to participate in the decisions that affect them and their students directly. When they feel like they are participating in the governance of the school, they feel empowered and their sense of ownership increases. Freedom and independence: Give your teachers the freedom to make educational decisions and work "outside of the box" on occasions. Teachers often get locked into a certain educational method, such as teaching students to pass standardized tests, that they don't have the opportunity to really teach, or at least teach with a little creativity. Because teachers spend more "hands-on" time with the students, they often can determine the best path to success for their students. Challenge and opportunity for learning: As with any career, teachers need to continue to learn more about their field and feel in touch with their colleagues and the latest developments in the teaching field. They need an opportunity to share ideas and learn from other teachers. Supportive evaluations: As with any career, all employees like to know they are doing a great job and the possible areas where they could improve. Having a superintendent or principal sit in on a class, evaluating the students and the teachers, can often be a helpful tactic for classroom management and educational ideas. Keeping verbal contracts: "One of the most frustrating things about education is the constant change in hierarchy and, suddenly, a set of rules no longer applies. Unkept promises probably do more to tear the heart out of a dedicated teacher than anything else because it makes you feel used and abused and uncared for. The first incentive for teachers would be to keep verbal contracts. When other teachers see how others have been, they are discouraged from putting in extra time and effort to become better when they fear that the same thing might happen to them," says a junior high school teacher. Compensation for outside classroom duties: Extra burdens should have a stipend attached. "Teachers should be compensated for all outside classroom duties, especially state scholastic competitions. The last 6 years that I have worked for "the school", I coached 8 separate academic events and received not a penny more. I took students to State competitions three times, but no reward," says a high school English teacher. Giving teachers equal class loads and sharing responsibilities: "An employer can be sensitive to the needs of his or her teachers. Some jobs require so much more than others," declares a junior high English teacher. "They should discuss extra burdens such as sponsorships with the teachers and look to distribute the responsibilities evenly instead of always asking those they know will do a good job to do it, and each extra burden should have a respectable stipend attached!" Money! "Money counts for self-respect!" as one teacher points out. "Keeping the pay scale as high as possible in a school district helps to keep up morale. Although good teachers always do the best they can, it hurts to win regional scholastic events, get exemplary scores on standardized tests, and teachers in smaller school districts are making several thousand dollars more than we are each year!" Making more awards available and nominating teachers for awards and competitions. Possible rewards Below are suggested rewards for recognizing a teacher's efforts. Many of the ideas are actual suggested awards our three interviewed teachers would like to receive: Experiencing recognition: "Last year I was nominated me for the Humanities Award, and I can't tell you how much that meant to me. Although I didn't win it, it felt so good that he went to the trouble to recognize my efforts over the years, that it inspired me all over again!" Participating at state and national teachers' conventions: " I have always wanted to go to the State English Teachers convention or even the national one. That should be a standard routine convention just like for coaches and counselors, and the school would pay for it," says a high school English teacher. Scholarships for furthering education or studying abroad: Because teachers are in the business of education, it only makes sense that they would continually want to keep themselves educated and on top of their field. Educational basics like reading, writing, and arithmetic remain the same, but the manner in which they are taught changes as new strategies are developed. A well-educated teacher yields well-educated students. Participation in workshops and seminars. Perks: Absence from staff development day or teacher work days, according to one of the teachers, would be a nice perk, especially for veteran teachers. Gift certificates to restaurants. Principal or superintendent teaches your classes for a day. Rewards for student competitions: As one teacher from Texas pointed out, "For example, after you spend all weekend at regional UIL competitions, I think it would be nice to say to the old teacher -- take Monday off and it doesn't count against your sick or personal leave. That would be a nice reward!" A handwritten thank you note. Conclusion As an educational expert has put it, "A motivated teacher is one who not only feels satisfied with his or her job, but also is empowered to strive for excellence and growth in instructional practice." Creating an environment of motivation and learning, for students and teachers alike, is and should be a key goal for school principals, school board members, and superintendents. Focusing on building up the morale of your top teachers will raise the bar for everyone else. As they are most likely your leaders, they are most affected by praise and recognition. If they are motivated, that feeling transfers to the masses. Motivating teachers is not expensive and does not take a lot of effort. Intrinsic motivation of teaching only goes so far before teachers question their choice of career. Create a strong foundation of support, recognition, and motivation and your staff will prosper and your students will prosper. ________________________________________ |