I strongly value the power of intrinsic motivation in learningthat is, the power of learning for the sake of learning, rather than for external factors like good grades or others' approval. I believe that when youth and adults alike view school or learning as something to suffer through for a distant goal in the future (a "no pain no gain" mindset), their willpower eventually wears thin in times of stress and hardship. I feel that I have been successful in teaching this message to my students in the past, and indeed saw encouraging results come from it.

playing piano, singing, writing poetry, taking walks, playing with my cats