You are on page 1of 2

CAN ONE

TEACHER MAKE
A DIFFERENCE?
WHO WE ARE
NEW WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE







By Professor Steven Reiss, Ph.D

09/04/2013 Can One Teacher Make a Difference? Yes! | Psychology Today
www.psychologytoday.com/blog/who-we-are/201209/can-one-teacher-make-difference-yes 1/2
StumbleUpon
0
Tags: academic careers, bdn, education resource, mail, ohio state university, professor carl,
psychological characteristics, psychology professor, resource room teacher, risk children, risk
kids, school aged children, school populations, searsport maine, special education resource
room, special education teacher, state university professor, steven reiss, university of new
orleans, weems
My colleagues and have been trying to construct a reliable method for
assessing the motives of any elementary school student, third grade or
higher. The first two efforts encompassed three years of work and failed.
Two years ago, Keith Dunson, a teacher in Maine, stepped forward to
volunteer his assistance with a third research study. Dr. Carl Weems of
the University of New Orleans and constructed a rating scale. Keith put
in quite a bit work to collect data. His efforts paid off: We have a new
assessment tool coming, one that should make possible a
comprehensive assessment of what motivates a child in school. Soon we
may have powerful new methods for learing what is motivating problem
behavior in school, including underachievement.
Maine's state newspaper reported Keith's story. t is a story of a teacher
who stepped forward out of dedication and idealism: bangordaiIynews

Subscribe to Psychology Today now and get a free issue!
1 Reader comments join the discussion here!

New ways of thinking about people
by Steven Reiss, Ph.D.
Can One Teacher Make a Difference? Yes!
Classroom hero
Published on September 20, 2012 by Steven Reiss, Ph.D. in Who We Are
Previous Post
They Fired Steve
Jobs
Next Post
Key to All
Relationship Quarrels
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe to Who We Are
Steven Reiss is Emeritus Professor
of Psychology and Psychiatry at The
Ohio State University.
more...
Arguing in a broad sense is an activity fundamental
to all close relationships.
Terri Apter, Ph.D.

Related Articles
Sorry, But... Your
Exceptional Child
Might Not Be "Gifted"
Gifted Education: A
Day in the Life
Education: Race to the
Top?: Part
Giftedness and
Classroom Boredom:
Maybe t's Not All Bad
The Brain Bank
Find a Therapist
Search for a mental
health professional
near you.
CIty or ZIp
Find Local:
Acupuncturists
Chiropractors
Massage Therapists
Dentists
and more!
CIty or ZIp
LIke 3
Share Share
16 basic desires make us individuals
Science? Anti-capitalism deology?
A mental game for athletic
excellence
The Other Side of the Controversy
We are individuals more than some
social psychologists know

RecenIosIs
More of Who We Are bIog
Most Read Most Emailed
1
How Real Life Change Happens
by Jeff Wise
2
50 Common Cognitive Distortions
by Alice Boyes, Ph.D.
NosIopuIar
Home Find a Therapist Topic Streams Get HeIp Magazine Tests Psych Basics Experts

You might also like