Motivation

1. I am here because I have been inspired by several teachers throughout my education, particularly my high school choir teacher. I am also a mother and come from a line of educators (mother and grandmother). I want to give my own children the best education possible and I believe that the best way to do that is to be involved. I don't need to teach them every subject. However, if I am where they are and know what kind of standard the teachers must uphold, I will be able to help them get the best education possible.

2. My motivation comes from my self-determination, my family and my religion. I want to do well because it makes me feel good. I want to set a good example for my family and inspire them be what they want to be. My religion helps me keep things in perspective and to be grateful for little things and little successes.

3. I succeed because again, it makes me feel good when I accomplish goals or am successful. I feel especially good when my successes include others succeeding. I am not terribly competitive in sports or board games because most of the time there can only be one winner. I like it better when everybody can have fun and win at the same time.

4. I fail because I take my eye off the goal. Henry Ford once said, "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the Goal."(www.goal-setting-guide.com) Whenever I forget the big reason I am going to school or doing anything in life, it's because I take my eyes off the goal. As long as I remember and keep my eyes higher than my obstacles, I can do anything.

5. I think I have some great motivations to be in this class, but my mindset is in need of great reconstruction. I know that when I get in front of a class, I feel great. I am excited and energetic, but getting there is the hard part. As I stated earlier, I am a mother. My greatest goal in life was to be a wife and mother. I love my husband and son so dearly. They are the greatest things in my life. I have such a hard time leaving my son with his aunts to come to school because he and my husband are the most important things in my life. School and work come down the line. I need to change my mindset from feeling like I am failing them by leaving them to fend for themselves half the day and realize that I am helping them find greater successes in life because I am becoming educated and I am achieving goals and providing them with greater opportunities. This is but a small moment in our lives and we will be better for it.