How to motivate any special education student

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It is very, very, very rare for a youth speaker to write this kind of report. Many youth speakers and educators do NOT have the time to articulate what strategies and methods they use in

the classroom that work. Please take the time to read it carefully. In fact, if you are – as I hope – very interested in finding out the box and proven ways to educate any student in

special education, then

I urge you to get comfortable, ask not to be disturbed, and STUDY this report – it IS that important! It reveals vital information that you NEED to know!

Jamahl Keyes-The Magic Motivator Presenting The Keynote At The National Teachers Association Conferenece

“How To Motivate Any Special Education Student Of The 21st Century To Want To Learn.”

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Dear Fellow Educator:

It’s shocking but true.

Every day, teachers, instructors and educators get frustrated in the classroom trying to motivate and reach that one student that gave up on not only their school work but life. Teachers, instructors, and educators get burned out very fast and many develop health problems all do to not having the right strategies and methods to motivating the special education student of the 21st century.

Finding the right method to motivate a student that doesn’t want to be motivated is a DIFFICULT and STRESSFUL job. There are so many details that must be attended to. But here is the undeniable truth:

THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF THE STUDENT LEARNING HINGES ON THEIR MOTIVATION TO WANT TO LEARN

I realize that you might not believe that right now but think about it for a minute. When is the

last time you remembered YOURSELF being inspired or motivated to want to learn something new? Something, someone or a combination of both motivated you to want to learn therefore it was fun to learn.

Finding and applying ways to inspire and motivate a student in special education is the “key” to a successfully and effectively reaching them...

In just a minute, I’m going to reveal some methods and strategies to motivating the special education student of the 21st century, but first let me answer a couple of

questions that are probably on your mind:

Who Are You And Why Are You Sharing This Information?

My name is Jamahl Keyes-The Magic Motivator and I’m a youth speaker, trainer and curriculum writer. For the past 20 years my unique presentations consisting of interactive learning, real life stories, motivation, comedy, and audience participation have helped school systems, educators, teachers and administrators including Notre Dame University, Concept Schools, South Bend Community School Corporation, The Madison Center and South Bend Parks and Recreation position their

“Your program really touched some points that we have been alking to the students about all year, your program was great and educational.”

Mr Mathew Urbanski(Dean Of Students Gateway Science and Math Academy 8th - 12th Grade)

www.jamahlspeaks.com



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instructors to be successful.

I’m sharing these methods and strategies to motivating special education students for two reasons:

REASON #1: If you end up implementing some methods that are dated and non- relevant to the students of this generation it not only hurts the students of your facility but it hurts the educational system as a whole. Odds are, if the dated methods and strategies your educators apply stinks, they’ll be very reluctant to want to teach with passion and fervor.

REASON #2: I HATE to see students not reach their full potential. It puts a black eye on the profession of education.

Okay, now that you know who I am and why I’m doing this, let’s talk about how to motivate the special education student of the 21st century.

Motivating Tip #1:Exposing!, What is required of you and

them.

Many educators feel that if they keep pounding over the head of the student that they

are in charge and they better do what they are told to do that that student will magically respond.

While that is true with many students a lot of student that are in special education have been disappointed and let down in many situation throughout their lives so telling them what they need to do may trigger them to be oppositional defiant.

True Story:

When I first started my teaching career at Navarre Middle School I would on a weekly and for some student’s, daily basis ask them what they expect from me and tell them what I expect from them. What I noticed by doing this is

that the student made an effort to do better.

Motivational Exercise: When you first meet the student ask them, What do you expect from me in this class. For many students (depending on age and learning disorder) it will be hard for them to articulate fully what they expect from you and for others they may not know what to expect. So be prepared to hear some positive responses and even negative responses from students.

By doing this motivational exercise you will find it easier to discipline the student and redirect them in a positive way. By simply reminding them what they said about what is

“We’ve had problems in the past with speakers coming in and not connecting, Jamahl came in and not only connected with the students, he also connected with the staff as well.”

Mrs. Cari Knowlton(School Counselor-JD Floydd High School)




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expected from you and in return what is expected from them.

Motivating Tip #2:Teaching them, with a

topic of interest.

Wow! This is a biggie.

Of course all teachers and educators have a curriculum that they must follow to teach the student. However, have you ever considered using things of interest to help them along in math, science and even language arts?

After doing this her grades went up rapidly and she even graduated with honors FROM COLLEGE!

Motivational Exercise: Have your students create a chart of interest for the classroom. Schedule a time for them to share their interest with the classroom. (By spotlighting

the student it will give them something to look forward to.)

After they present their interest to the classroom have a question and answer session with the class on how their interest applies to school.

Motivating Tip #3:Ensure the students that there is a element of fun.

In this social media hungry, music video playing I want it now online culture it is a must that every teacher uses fun out the box methods and strategies to reach the students in special education.

True Story:

Magic tricks have always been a passion of mine, I actually started learning magic tricks because of my mother (who was a school teacher for 41 yrs) used magic books to help me learn how to read and comprehend.

“We really enjoyed javing Jamahl-The Magic Motivator the students and parents loved him.”

Mrs. Shaheed-Carson(Principal Snacks Crossing)




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Motivational Exercise: All of us have a passion; use your passion in your teaching. By doing this your students will find themselves having fun and learning at the same time.

For Example:If your passion is tennis, introduce a concept or method using tennis.

Motivating Tip #4:Enable your students to showcase the finished

product.

Everyone wants to be acknowledged and students especially want to showcase their efforts. Many schools acknowledge the students that are on honor role, perfect attendance and so on.

But we must, as educators allow students on a daily basis showcase their efforts.

True Story:

I once had a student that I was trying to reach and motivate to do well for the grading period I would on a daily basis do the classic pep talk and rah! rah! speech….And I didn’t reach him.

After the awards assembly I noticed the student was down and was ready to give up so I came up with a new game plan.

After every homework assignment, test and even quiz, I had the student showcase his work either to me, his mother, the staff or someone he knew in the community. By doing this, I

noticed the student was very much motivated to do his best and finish any assignment small or large after he was done.

Motivational Exercise:

Create a weekly time for students to be showcased. Create a place in the classroom where a student is showcased not for a great grade but for completing a assignment that was given.

Create a showcase folder that has the names of 3 people that the student may want to showcase their work to.

Motivating Tip #5:Implement “transparent”

learning climates.

It is a must that educators create a environment encourages these three elements positivity, challenges and risk taking. Let’s face it, if our students are to be successful in school and life they must be taught by these three elements.

True Story:

When I was put over a at-risk group of students at Jefferson Middle school I was told by the principle to put in place some methods and techniques that would encourage students to take risk.

To my surprise after 4 weeks in the program the students productivity in school work went up 15%. After further investigation I found that they were more productive because




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“Jamahl you are amazing, you have an open invitation to speak to my class whenever you are in my city. You have a great, wonderful and much needed way of educating and entertaining as well.”

Mr. Anthony Douglas Careers Teacher & J.A.G. Job’s After

Graduation Instructor Washington High School)

they were not afraid to TAKE A RISK…

Motivational Exercise:

Start the habit of telling your students that it is alright to be wrong as long as they continue to work towards being right.

When your students make a mistake with their school work, tell them what they did wrong by enforcing what they did right two times.

For example:

I like the way you wrote this out but your answer is wrong. Keep writing out the problem like that.

**************************** Well, there you have it. Obviously, if you’re a seasoned educator you may have already known some of the motivation methods revealed in this report. But I hope you found a few gems that you can use to motivate your students.

If I can help you or you want to contact me, please call 866.230.9808.

Best,

Jamahl Keyes-The Magic Motivator

P.S. For more details about my programs go to www.jamahlspeaks.com or call me at 866.230.9808.




