The Power of Positive Reinforcement

I am a dual certified teacher with an undergraduate degree in Religion with Dual minors in Psychology and Theology. I have a Masters in Education with 40 graduate credits in Public Health. Perhaps not a big deal to some, but, quite an about-face for me, since I had no intention of going to college. Those who know my commitment to education may find it surprising that as a high schooler, I did not plan to go to college. I wanted to go to work. So I took business machines, typing, shorthand and medical terminology. I took and passed to regents exams that I did not study for. I did not take a third exam which would have qualified me for a regents diploma. So what happened? My 11th grade history teacher happened. It was the spring of my junior year. He wanted us to write an essay on the topic of our choice. 

I chose to write about abortion. Off I went to one of my favorite haunts -- the library. I borrowed books on the pros and cons of abortion. I read up on the thoughts of right to life groups and individuals that thought a woman had a right to choose. Finally, I went to the local clinic to interview a gynecologist that performed abortions. I look and listened while he explained what dilation and suction, dilation and curettage, the methods he used to perform abortion. He did not talk about the late term abortions. But, I had already read about them, so I did not bother to ask. After he showed me around and patiently showed me the equipment and explained the procedures. We sat down to complete the interview.

I ask him how he felt about performing abortions. He did not think that there was anything morally wrong about performing abortion. He showed no emotion as he talked about end the lives of the many precious little persons who could have become major contributors to society, regardless of where they were born. I look at his deadpan expression and asked him one more question. "If your daughter became pregnant, would you let her have an abortion." This doctor who routinely performed abortions on young women of all ages in one of the poorest neighborhoods in New York City said, "No." 

I had all I needed to complete my paper. I wrote about what I read, what the doctor showed me and what he said. In my conclusion, I said how I found it interesting that this doctor would not let his daughter have an abortion, but he performed them every day. After I submitted my paper, my history professor sat me down after class and said, "You should go to college." He went on the explain why he thought so. That simple statement from my teacher changed the course of my academic life. From that time on, I was on a mission to go to college. While it was too late to change my track, I  made the decision to apply to colleges and although it was a long and challenging road, I did finish school. Who knows, I may even get a PhD one day!

As a teacher, you can make a difference in the life of a student. Perhaps like my history teacher, you may make one simple statement that plants a seed in the mind of a student that will germinate and grow and grow. Substitute teachers, whose assignments are obviously transient in nature, can still make a difference. Be positive. If a student is doing well, or shows potential in a particular area of study or ability, why not tell them? You may be the only positive voice that they hear that day. You never know. Do not underestimate the power of positive reinforcement.

TeachersPayTeachers - Positive Behavior Support (for a 3rd Grader) PowerPoint:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Positive-Behavior-RTI-A-Case-of-An-Amotivated-3rd-Grader-1253167