…want us to be successful. I really believe that.
In The Will to Learn, I made an argument I believe with every cell in my body: all students *want* to want to care about learning. They want to be motivated. And they want this for the same reason I prefer eating a great meal to being electrocuted. Motivation is a pleasant experience; demotivation is painful.
So yes, I know we've got students who don't act like they want us to succeed. Even at this mid-point in the school year, I've still got kids coming to me at the start of class and saying, “Are we doing anything today? I hope not.” (Mind you, we've “done something” every single day of the entire school year; mind you, I've told them a hundred times that our time is too precious to waste.)
But I remain confident that students *want* me to be good at my job. The lion's share of them genuinely desire good teachers — folks who care, who are passionate, who know what they are doing.
They may not always act like it, but trust me: they're rooting for us. They're rooting for you. They're rooting for me.
Let's keep at it with that in mind.
Teaching right beside you,
DSJR
PS Is PD at your school needing a little midwinter spritzer? My new Value Belief Mini-Course has ten practical lessons that help with both teacher morale and student motivation. Group viewing licenses are an affordable way for schools to bring my approach to your meetings. Watch a brief, substantive lesson; engage with one another via the group reflective application prompts (facilitator guide included), and notice the good feeling that comes with refocusing on the fundamentals.
Learn all about it here; any questions, just be in touch here.
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