Motivation

Why am I here?

I am here at UVU because three of my siblings attended this school and really enjoyed it. They suggested that I come here and I took them up on their advice. I am here in in the education program because I want to be a teacher. When I was in middle school and high school I saw the positive influence that teachers can be in the lives of their students. I realized that I want to do that and impact my student's lives. I also have a love for history and want to teach something that I am passionate about. I am here in this program to learn the tools necessary to become a great teacher and how to teach. I am here in this class because it is a requirement for my major. I also am in this class because I have heard from friends that although this class is a lot of work, I will learn a lot of important information that will help me as I prepare and become a teacher. I am in this class because I want to learn all that I can to be a good teacher before I enter the field.

What motivates me?

The feeling I have when I succeed and do well motivates me to continue to do well. I am also very much motivated by positive feedback and compliments. When I am told that I am doing a good job it makes me happy and motivates me to work even harder. This is especially true in my job as a nanny. When my boss tells me how much they appreciate all I do for their family and how much they appreciate me it makes me want to be better, to clean the house more, to take the kids out, to do more fun activities. It even makes me more excited to come to work and gives me a better attitude. I am also motivated by competition. I am a very competitive person and enjoy winning and competing.

Why do I succeed?

I succeed because I put in the necessary effort. I work to do well in my classes and in other areas of my life. I am happier when I am successful therefore I try to succeed at all times. Failure is something anyone enjoys and so I work to succeed so I do not fail. I also believe that I succeed because of the example of my parents. They are both successful, confident people and through observing them throughout my life I have become a successful and confident person as well.

Why do I fail?

I fail because I can be a procrastinator. I also can be a little lazy. Another problem I have is not prioritizing well.

Do my goals in my course contract reflect mastery goals or performance goals? What does this say about me?

I believe that my goals in my course contract reflect mastery goals. My goal to not procrastinate will be something I carry on with me throughout my life. It is not about getting good grades, it is about making life easier for me and being able to put forth better work because I am not doing it in a hurry. If I can master this goal I will reduce so much stress. Assignments and test will not make me nervous or anxious. My other goal, to really learn and understand the material so I can be a great teacher is definitely a mastery goal. I want to learn this information so I can be better for my students, not so I can get an A in this class. My mastery goals tell me that I display self-regulation and that I am more likely to undergo conceptual change.

How do I need to change my mindset and motivations for this class in order to become a great teacher?

I need to work on not being so motivated by positive feedback. Other than that I feel my motivations and mindset for this class or good to help me become a great teacher. As times goes on though I may realize that I need to do some reevaluating and make some changes to my mindset and motivations.