Module 5. chapter 12

Chapter 12 sparked a lot of interest while reading about Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Though this dates back to the 1970’s it was interesting to read. Self-actualization is Maslow’s term for self-fulfillment, the realization of personal potential-”being all that you can be.” Each of the lower needs must be met before the next higher need can be addressed (p.448). As I understood where he was coming from and how he looked at ones needs using examples of when children are hungry they will not perform at their best of academic levels. We as teachers have to take that into consideration for every single student. We need to realize they are all going through different things at home, personally, and at school. Getting to know your students will be the best way to decide what their next level of needs are. Though Maslow has great things to read and take in there is a new theory that is very interesting. Self-determination theory suggests that we all need to feel competent and capable in our interactions in the world, to have some choices and a sense of control over our lives, and to be connected to others-to belong to a social group (pp.500). With this new theory states that we as humans want to master what we are given and continue to master as we move along. When students succeed and have self-determination in the classroom which also then sets the students up for success outside of the classroom and into their future. I feel as a teacher it is our responsibility to help students plan actions to accomplish self-selected goals. I know in the classroom I am currently in all of our students have their own IEP’s which then gives them their individual goals to accomplish. I notice how amazing students feel and how not only their grades but their attitudes change. It is very rewarding when children feel successful and as a teacher you can give noncontrolling positive feedback to.