Carrie’s TEBlog

In response to Katie’s response for the motivation article I totally agree with motivation being a self-fulfilling prophecy. I think she makes a really good point about measuring performance on current ability. True grades matter from the past, yet current ability is the most important. If a person can learn and improve their skills then they have accomplished the most important goal. The key is to teach them to be continuous learners and stay motivated. She brings up a good point though, that sometimes students are labeled off the bat as bad students. This I think is one of the worse things teachers can do. Even when I worked for a day care I saw this labeling going on. Everyone knew who the trouble makers were and who you would have to punish. Before they even stepped foot in the room they we already being put on the bad list. In America we have the saying “innocent until proven guilty”. Why does this not apply to a classroom? All labeling does is hurt a students chance of growing and improving. Our society loves to stereotype, but as teachers it is our job not to do so. Labeling only gives teachers an excuse as to why they are failing to help a student. Students need to be shown they can succeed. As teacher we need to look for ways to help them succeed and learn how to better themselves.