After discussing motivation in class, I feel that the motivation theory that best fits me is goal theory. To me, when I have a goal, I perform to the best of my ability to meet requirements and do my best in order to reach my goal. For example, getting into UT was my goal after being deferred my senior year of high school. My freshman year of college was spent at Mississippi State, and I worked my butt off to get the grades necessary for UT to accept me. UT was my goal, and I had one year to prove that I could make the appropriate grades to be accepted into the college.

In special education, once the student is diagnosed with a disability, we have an IEP meeting in which we create goals and objectives for the student. Having these goals can not only motivate the student, but the teacher as well. I believe that I will be a good special education teacher because I will strive to do whatever it takes for my students to reach their goals. I will try my hardest to be a role model, be enthusiastic, show the student that I care while at the same time having positive expectations for my students. I also will teach my students that no matter what, no disability will interfere with their goals, as long as they put forth maximum effort.

In my future classroom, I will discuss with each student what their goals will be for the year. They will have a copy of these goals, and will keep track of their progress weekly. Once the goal is reach, I will provide some sort of reward, such as candy, ice cream, pizza party, as well as verbal praise from me. I believe that if the student keeps track of their own progress, this will also motivate them to keep pushing toward their goals.