1 minute read
Find Your “Why”
The idea of a decrease in student motivation is not a surprise to staff and students alike, especially following Covid-19.
Though not exclusively responsible, drops in student productivity have been seen after Covid-19 and the return to traditional schooling.
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“Students went from school as they have known it to an environment where you could be wherever you wanted to Zoom for classes, have the ability to not engage in conversations and to do other things while Zooming for class,” Assistant Principal Mollie McNally said. “Then, we finally came back and [the] full-time and old structure was back in place. For some, it was exhausting to ‘do school’ again — [for] teachers as well. This year has felt like we are finally seeing students coming out of the Covid fog and really getting back to the routine of how we do in-person school.”
Sometimes, a supporting factor in a lack of motivation is caused by parents’ tolerance for their student to slack off.
“Last year, many students shared with me that if they didn’t want to come to school, their parents would just let them stay home,” McNally said. “Many of them were academically successful students who said their ability to stay home made it difficult to build up motivation. They would come out on top with their grades in the end, but the motivation was difficult.”
Despite the setback, McNally noted the staff and administration are progressing toward previous academic standards in the Blue Valley community.
“We are moving in a positive direction. Our teachers are top-notch — they are innovative, creative and most of all, they care about students and focus on building positive relationships,” McNally said. “Those things, coupled with continuing to provide learning opportunities that engage their students and connect them to the world around them, will continue to motivate students. Students have to continue to identify their ‘why’ and find their motivation as well. The responsibility for learning is not just on teachers. Students must also be accountable for engaging in their learning.”
