The Effects of Motivational Strategies to Increase Teachers’ Commitment and Enthusiasm

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore motivational strategies that can be used to increase faculty and staff’s motivation in a small private Montessori school, located in New Jersey. Ten members of the faculty and staff participated in this action research project over the course of six weeks. Pre-data collection included an online motivational quiz that identified each faculty and staff member’s top three motivators. Short term goals were created by the participant with the administrator in a pre-conference based on the motivator results of each individual’s pre-test. The administrator used the motivational strategies of each faculty and staff member throughout the research to support them on their short term goal. Data was collected on each faculty and staff member through a weekly conference and reflection journal, as well as a daily job expectation and negative talk tally. The results of this action research suggest that using individual motivators for each faculty and staff member increase employee motivation and enthusiasm in the workplace. The action research project was done at the beginning of the school year when the faculty and staff are the most enthusiastic and motivated. I would like to continue my research throughout the school year, analyzing any significant changes in the data