Motivation Blog

1.Why are you here (in the teacher education program, in this class, at UVU)?
I figured out what I wanted to do with my life only after I already got a degree in something else. I then tried to do that thing, without the training (on a Letter of Authorization, a program which I'm sure works for some), and failed. I say I failed, while others come up with excuses for me but whatever it is, I need the education for the profession I now know I love. Had I not had that random experience of doing something I was not completely ready for, I wouldn't have known that this is where I am supposed to be.
2.What motivates you?
Initially I think of really good teachers and coaches who have made my life really good over the years. But when I think hard about the things I succeeded at when I was young, I realize I succeeded mostly because things came naturally. I succeeded in school and athletics because they were easy and the encouragement of others may not have had as much of an impact (their negative displays toward me did though, but I had very few of those). I realize now that when I've done things that were hard, I didn't succeed, unless the motivation was from within. During different times it has been because I felt an obligation to a group or person, because I didn't want to look bad, because I wanted to be better than, etc. From those very small minded, though legitimate ways of thinking, I have come to, hopefully, more solid motivations and one is that I can see the image of the person I want to become and I want to be that me so much that I am willing to take the high and low roads, easy or difficult classes or experiences, to become her. I've spent to much of my life thinking of what I'm not and now I'm so excited about what I am and what I will be and that is motivating.
3.Why do you succeed?
I succeed when the inner motivation to do what I'm doing outweighs the struggle it will take to get there.
4.Why do you fail?
I fail when I don't buy into what I am doing and so have no ownership of my work. I also fail if I don't understand or forget the importance of what I am doing. Not in a prideful way, but in an honest "my daddy said I could be anything I wanted to be" sort of way, I feel that there is really nothing I can't do if put my mind to it. That is a reason my failures are so frustrating because I hate the feeling of knowing I could have done better, but didn't.
5.How do you need to change your motivations and mindset for this class in order to become a great teacher?
My mindset needs to change so that learning for me is part of a process of becoming a better more whole person and is not just another assignment or class. I need to get better at seeing the big picture. My motivation for learning needs to come naturally because what I do is enjoyable and I need to regect the stigma that learning is boring or involves a lot of desk time. I need to do this not only for my learning but so I have that perspective ready to pass on to my students.