When my older boys were in middle school, the campus always named a student of the month. That student’s picture would be featured in the local newspaper. The school would list academic and extra curricular accomplishments to accompany the photo. I never had to worry about being student of the month. I attended school everyday simply because my parents forced it on me. I was not one to play up to the teacher either. So student of the month awards evaded me .

Something happened when I was a junior in college. It occurred to me that I could do something with my life that I wanted to do if I would just settle down and study. What a novel idea. It took fourteen years of format education to reach that point, but I finally got there. I actually made straight “A’s” that semester. Miracles have not ceased after all! Education is all about motivation.

I have been going to Mexico on mission trips for 11 years now. Spanish taken in college coupled with Spanish I have picked up serving with police officers has been helfpul. But ultimately my Spanish skills are still really lacking. After returning from Mexico this year, several new friends have started corresponding with me on facebook. We both make generous use of google translator. That whole process generally ends up being amusing.

I am actually serious about learning Spanish for the first time. What has changed? I have Spanish speaking friends who want to communicate with me on a regular basis. I hate it that a language barrier holds us back. Why didn’t I pursue language training years ago? I suppose the motivation was just not there… Education is all about motivation.

There must be a moral to this story for educators. Discovering what motivates a student is paramount. You would think that leading mission trips to Mexico would be sufficient motivation for me to hone my Spanish skills, but my behavior shows otherwise! Factor in socializing and making news friends and it becomes a different story! I have this new found motivation! I am hoping that 2010 will be the year that I signficantly expand my Spanish vobabulary! Why would I not? It will enhance my abililty to be a socical creature and that is great motivation!