Ever wish your students were more motivated? If you’re like most of us, you have tried an array of rewards and punishments to motivate kids. There’s only one problem: it doesn’t work. At least it doesn't work well enough. People (yes, even students) aren’t motivated from the outside so rewards and punishments only work to a point. We are internally motivated. That’s why it's essential to engage and inspire students to be motivated to succeed in school (and life.)

If you’re ready to move beyond the reward/punishment model and embrace a whole new way to understand motivation, I encourage you to come back regularly. It’s time to challenge the status quo and create schools and classrooms based on what really motivates behavior.


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

What We Can Learn From Finland

While we test our kids into mediocrity, Finland has an entirely different approach to education. And entirely different results!
Read more in "What We Can Learn From Finland."

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Giving "Tickets" for Appropriate Behavior

Giving kids "tickets" for acting appropriately is part of the "catch them being good" mania that can be found in many schools. Ever wonder what such practices teach our students? Read "Giving 'Tickets' for Appropriate Behavior" to find out what harm I think we are doing.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Focus on School Success

You've heard all the criticism of schools and teachers. Turns out, there are a lot of exemplary schools out there. Read all about it in my post "Focus on School Success."

Saturday, August 13, 2011

If You Think Teachers Are Overpaid.....Just Wait!!!

If you believe Arne Duncan, teachers should earn more money that graduates of Harvey Mudd, whose graduates are ranked as the highest paid! If you believe Arne Duncan, I have some property you might be interested in buying. Read Duncan's disingenuous comments at "If You Think Teachers Are Overpaid....Just Wait!!!"

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Perseverance and the Relentless Pursuit of McNuggets!

Looking for a way to kill the natural enthusiasm for learning and the development a positive character traits? Read "Perseverance and the Relentless Pursuit of McNuggets" to see how one school applies the "tried and true" principles of external motivation.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Cheating on High-Stakes Testing: Can You Believe It?

The recent cheating scandal in Atlanta has people "shocked" and "appalled." Not me. If anything, I'm surprised there isn't more wide-spread cheating. You can get my take on the situation by clicking here.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

"Criminal Minds:" The Misrepresentation of Dr. William Glasser

Quotations that are incomplete or taken out of context can certainly result in the creation of inaccurate perceptions. Read how the TV show "Criminal Minds" misrepresented Dr. William Glasser, the creator of choice theory.