Teacher motivation
To thrive in education, teachers need to be deeply motivated, not just skilled. Studies show that when teachers are motivated, it benefits not only their own well-being and job satisfaction but also student achievement, classroom relationships and long-term school success.
Despite this, many teachers around the world seem to be leaving the profession early. Why might this be the case? Research points to low salaries, lack of support and a drop in professional prestige as common reasons. As such, if we want better education outcomes for both students and teachers, we must start thinking seriously about how to retain teachers and keep them motivated.
A promising approach: practice-based learning
One powerful way to boost motivation in student teachers is through practice-based learning, also known as experiential learning. This strategy allows student teachers to learn not only about teaching but to practice teaching in real-life or realistic scenarios.
Unlike more traditional means of education that rely solely on textbooks or lectures, trainee teachers can develop and test their skills in authentic classroom environments. This allows them to build confidence and adaptability by tackling the real challenges of teaching, such as managing behaviour and responding to student questions on the fly.
Connecting motivation and practice
But how exactly does this method boost motivation? At its core, practice-based learning gives future teachers a chance to see their growth in action. It helps them feel more competent, gives them a sense of autonomy, and connects them with peers and mentors — three ingredients that are crucial for sustaining motivation.
Additionally, research shows that student teachers are more likely to feel prepared, confident, and committed to staying in the profession when they get to rehearse core teaching practices in safe, supportive environments. Although more research is still needed, current findings suggest that this approach holds great promise for boosting early-career teacher motivation.
The science behind motivation: Self-Determination Theory
To understand why this works, we can turn to Self-Determination Theory, a widely respected theory in psychology. Self-Determination Theory tells us that people are most motivated when three basic needs are met:
- Autonomy – Feeling like you have control over your choices.
- Competence – Believing that you are capable of achieving your goals and making an impact.
- Relatedness – Having a sense of belonging and feeling connected to others.
In this case, practice-based learning is argued to naturally support all three needs. This is because this strategy allows student teachers to make independent decisions, develop their teaching skills and build strong relationships with others. In short, this type of training doesn’t just prepare them for the classroom – it also helps them feel like they belong there. Consequently, when student teachers feel fulfilled in these ways, they’re more likely to be motivated to stay and inspire the next generation of students.
The research on practice-based learning and self-determined motivation
To investigate the effectiveness of the practice-based learning strategy in increasing student teachers’ motivation to remain in their teaching professions, researchers from Waler Sisulu University in South Africa conducted an intervention study with 89 student teachers.
Participants were either assigned to the practice-based learning group or to a control group (which continued their education as per normal without the practice-based learning intervention) and completed a questionnaire measuring their levels of motivation before and after the intervention period. The study’s main finding was that the practice-based learning intervention boosted the student teachers’ motivation.
How you can boost teacher motivation to stay
Based on the results of the study, here are two practical takeaways to use when supporting your early-career and student teachers:
1. Use practice-based learning strategies to train future teachers
As shown, learning by doing is much more effective than just listening to lectures or reading textbooks. This parallels the superiority of more active techniques (like Retrieval Practice and Spacing) over more passive methods (like rereading and cramming) when looking at study strategies.
Another way to achieve practice-based learning strategies might be to develop teacher professional vision by providing live video modelling for student teachers. If you’re interested in this, check out the Teaching Unpacked series on our Teacher CPD Academy for more details.
2. Find ways to minimise burnout
Helping teachers feel motivated at the start is really important, but so is making sure they stay well and supported throughout their careers. As teachers take on more responsibilities, they can become tired or overwhelmed. Schools and leaders need to look at ways to reduce stress and support teacher wellbeing, so great teachers stay in the job for the long run. If you’re interested in learning more about how schools can tackle teacher burnout, check out this helpful blog.
Final thoughts on teacher motivation
Motivated teachers are more likely to thrive, stay in the profession and make a lasting impact on their students. Practice-based learning offers a practical and powerful way to build this motivation from the start. By giving future teachers real-world experience and meaningful support, we can help them feel more confident, capable and connected – key ingredients for their long-term success in the classroom and beyond.
