Here I sit… blank paper in front of me…like some Coventry school student that has been asked to write an essay.  The assignment has been given, the minutes allotted are ticking away, and the words will not come.  Just like the students, my world is filled with adventures, distractions, drama, and a plethora of other possibilities. (Not only that…but the outside calls, as the sun shines brightly, unlike all of those rainy days during July!) The space is not ideal, the noises creep into my mind, and yet the pressure to produce grows.

 

How do we motivate young people, similarly challenged, in our classrooms?

 

I visited several classrooms just this morning to validate to our students our academic learning priorities. From the Coventry Grammar School to Coventry High School, we have evidence of exceptionally skilled teachers and para-educators providing exactly the right kind of motivational strategies, encouragement, real life meaning, and situational relevance to their charges.  The students saunter into the classrooms with various levels of “cool strutting” depending on their age and developmental stage.  From there, staff must provide the conduit linking Connecticut State Standards to the realities of that child’s world. 

 

In the “olden days” there was a lot more support for “do it because I said so” than today.  Now, in addition to adult authority, we motivate students with authentic connections, group work, active engagement, technology, and real life purpose. Our classrooms are alive with student discussions, smart boards, computers, projects, and hands-on activities.  Our virtual learning lab at the high school and the new computer lab at the grammar school are great places for you to visit should you wish.  There will even be a greater technological impact in the classrooms of the future.

 

Student motivation is a topic for extensive exploration, much beyond the confines of a Dispatch.   As many as a quarter of American youth are floundering without purpose well into their late twenties.  William Damon’s extensive research and recommendations regarding young people and their sense of purpose can be further explored in his Path to Purpose.  It is a good read should you wish to learn more.

Frankly, student motivation for task accomplishment has aspects quite similar to adult motivation.  Is the task meaningful? Is there a high enough level of concern for accomplishment? Are the skills necessary for accomplishment available?  Is cost/benefit consideration understood?

 

Please know that the staff at Coventry Public Schools specializes in motivational strategies.  In addition, we aim to develop the internal drive in our young people such that they take the sense of purpose with them even when the adults are not around.  It is that internal sense that will serve them well. 

 

Task accomplished…and now the sunshine calls!

 

Donna

 

PS: Do you have questions or comments for the Superintendent?  Look for the schedule of upcoming sessions of Donuts with Donna on our website at www.coventrypublicschools.org.