Rewarding a good answer in the classroom is not entirely erratic thinking. Starting from the principle that people are moved by that energy that drives them to achieve their goals in the most efficient way possible, which we call motivation, that hurricane that passes through you and feels the need to move somewhere that resonates with you or interests to motivate.
If we review history, in Ancient Greece, we find that Socrates and his disciple Aristotle began to make sense of the answer to the question: Why do human beings do what they do?
José Antonio Marina (2011) defines it as “Motivation = desire + value of the objective + facilitators of the task.”
Starting from these premises, the teacher has used the award as a motivational engine in the classroom for students who do not believe in the possibility of developing and enhancing their abilities over the years. But,
Is it the best way to motivate students to learn?
What advantages and disadvantages do constantly rewarding students provide?
These are questions that we have been asking in the search for efficiency and effectiveness in the training of students.
I am a Kindergarten teacher in the state of Texas. Every day, we face the difficult task of educating children with different learning and motivation needs. We are constantly searching for tools to achieve the miracle of learning for these children in this first school stage. We wear ourselves out looking for methods and techniques to get their attention and ensure they take ownership of the academic content and values that will serve them throughout their lives.

If I were to describe a typical day of classes in my classroom, I am ready to begin the learning journey where I implement different techniques to get their attention in any of the subjects I teach. Furthermore, when trying to do it the conventional way, I realize the lack of motivation and apathy that often occurs (some cry, others want to play, others want to go to the bathroom to escape the content). In short, it is challenging to motivate them, especially if we are in the middle of a Hagerty class where there are no audiovisual or other resources other than the sounds of the letters. Facing this recurring problem, "I take the magic wand" solves all my attention problems for my students, which is nothing more than granting points to win prizes. From that moment on, the magic began; motivation took over the class, and everything began to work as I had ideally planned.

Faced with this reality, they face a big problem: Unmotivated children who only become motivated if they receive a stimulus that invites them to mobilize. What should be a natural, logical, and transformative process in your learning?  Children sometimes undergo a fixed mentality where we are all complicit, and escaping the carrot methodology is challenging.

In search of an alternative to change this reality, I began her master's degree in Digital Learning. I discovered Carol Dweck's theory of "Fixed mindsets " and " Growth mindsets, " which could provide a possible solution to the problem.”
Why consider it as an alternative to my problem?
A change of mentality is not a new concept in all stages of life and its social diversity. However, it is paramount in today's fast-paced world, where individuals and organizations constantly pursue success. It is fascinating to see that people who achieve the goals they set are not necessarily those with a higher, but rather those who have exceptional characteristics: perseverance, passion, and courage. Therefore, I am redirecting myself toward achieving a growth mindset in my classroom and personal life.
Dr. Dweck proposes that a growth mindset is a path, a process that we constantly work on. To begin with, it would be appropriate to identify when we have a fixed mindset and how we face the challenges of our daily lives.

​

• How do we react when students do not notice or understand a problem?

• How do you react when you receive criticism?

•   How do we respond when someone is as successful as we would like to be?

​

This is when we choose what mindset we will develop  (Dweck, 2015, p. 3). We are all a combination of many circumstances. We may have a growth mindset in our personality and a fixed mindset in intelligence. In some ways, we are victims of this phenomenon that limits us from being successful in what we do. Nevertheless, the most important thing is not to believe that we will have a growth mentality today but to form it throughout our lives with constant work. The world is a whole of entrepreneurs whose beginnings could have been better. 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

Today, an open door invites me to enter and assume that the inner voice of a fixed mentality only has strength if we let it pass. It is not easy, but who said it would be easy? Assuming that the growth mindset is being optimistic in the face of every challenge and action, it is simply giving myself and allowing myself to try again.

     "Not yet." It was a theory I did not know before. However, as I listened to every word of Dr. Carol Dweck explaining the power of the word Not Yet. A hurricane of emotions and feelings revolutionized my body. Moreover, it was a practice I unconsciously did in my first year as a teacher.
Faced with the unexpected news of the death of a kindergarten teacher in October 2022 and after having been without a teacher for more than two months, he arrived at a classroom where sadness, distrust in himself, and absence of routines. Rules and motivation were the norm. Seeing Dario arrive at the beginning of the school year crying because his shoes are untied, forgetting about Wednesday's folder, or not being able to write his name to say Teacher, have you seen what reading level I am reading at? E (first-grade level). I saw how they could barely write his name and then compete with each other to write a note to the Teacher.

I am complicit in the power of the word. However, which in my class is translated as "Superpower." Identify your superpowers, believe in them, and unleash them. Listen to your inner strength and show how valuable you are. These were some of the reflections I told them, and incredibly, those children were transforming that place (the class) into a space we never wanted to leave.
Today, to that experience, I add the theory of Dr. Carol S. Dweck. I would begin by introducing the phrase: "The Students have a chance to get smarter," I would explain to my students that Intelligence is not a quality exclusive to a particular person; it is something that is cultivated, watered, and worked to achieve. 
That will be the motto in my classroom. It will be the message that I will carry everywhere I go.
I could have a plan, but I want to take advantage of every circumstance. The day in an educational community is full of perfect moments to practice and promote a growth mindset. During methodological preparations, when my work colleagues do not recognize meritorious work in the Celebrations session. When someone has a different perspective and makes corrections, The students believe that the possibility of becoming successful is unattainable (reading, writing, and phonetics workshop). Alternatively, teacher, could you help me when a student tells me? Can I not do it? Change should be made drop by drop to achieve impact in this transformation, persuading and being empathetic in each situation you face.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

The world looks big before our eyes, and the possibility of changing it is difficult for us. I will have the goal of leaving a mark on my students. They can remember me once they are good men and women, and thus, I will begin to change my little piece of the world, causing a growth mentality in everything I do.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​