When it comes to educating our children, it is important to consider motivation. As Maria Montessori once said, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.'” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the philosophy behind Acton Academy Hampton Roads and why fostering intrinsic motivation in our learners is a priority.
Intrinsic motivation is the drive from within, fueled by a genuine interest in and enjoyment of one’s chosen work. It is the desire to learn and work hard for personal fulfillment and mastery. Extrinsic motivation relies on external rewards or punishments to encourage learning, such as grades, praise, or tangible prizes.
At Acton Academy Hampton Roads, we prioritize intrinsic motivation for several reasons. Intrinsic motivation leads learners to pursue meaningful work, develop a deeper understanding of that work, set their own goals, and then accomplish them because they see value in it. Learners are more likely to overcome the obstacles, push through when the work becomes challenging, and gain personal satisfaction once they persevere. When learners are intrinsically motivated to learn, nothing can stop them. This sense of agency and responsibility is essential for developing lifelong learners capable of navigating the complexities of the modern world and preparing learners to thrive in an ever-changing and unpredictable future.
In contrast, extrinsic motivators can lead to a reliance on external rewards and a fear of failure. When learners are motivated by grades, praise, or prizes, they may prioritize the appearance of success over true understanding and growth. Extrinsic motivators can undermine intrinsic motivation, leading learners to lose interest in learning when there isn’t a reward at the end.
As Maria Montessori understood so well, the true measure of our success as educators lies in our ability to inspire our learners to pursue knowledge and excellence for its own sake.
LEARNER DRIVEN 
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