What keeps you motivated?

            It’s the middle of the school year. You have been working extensive hours on lesson plans that help reach the wide range of students in your class. Several arguments and maybe even fights between your students have occurred this week.  It is now time for you to get ready for another day, but walking into your classroom today the excitement and motivation you usually have is just not there. What do you do?

There are always those days we need an extra boost to get us going in the morning and sometimes the boost we need to finish the day. During my first year teaching I found this day to occur several times, and I often referred to one particular passage given to me during my first education course. The following passage helped me remember the importance of my job, and just how powerful my excitement and determination can be in the classroom.

I close my eyes
And I can visualize
Things that may never be.
Unless, of course,
I take my dreams
...And turn them into reality.
Sometime in the future,
Someone may ask me,
"Who taught you your values,
Your skills, your determination?"
And I will reply,
"The same person who opened
Locked doors without the key,
Portals in my imagination,
Windows in my mind,
Holes in my seriousness.
"A teacher taught me."
Michelle Kao

Maybe your motivation comes from a person in your life, a picture, or a thought you must run through your mind. I would love to hear what motivates you during your tough days.