Here is my motivation: Written by one of my most challenging students last year

Every year my principal asks our 5th graders to write letters to past teachers that have impacted them.  I get some each year and they are nice to read.  I get excited when I see the letters in the mail box and cannot wait to see who wrote to me.  This year was the changing year for those letters for me.  I got one letter that I will share with you that changed the way I thought about my students and how what I do can change them.  This student was the most frustrating student I have ever had.  She made me mad enough to cuss secretly inside my head.  She was one of those kids that could push your buttons in 5 seconds flat if you let her.  Here is her letter to me. I will include my thoughts in parenthesis for you.

"Dear Mrs. Engle,
            When I first found out I got you as a teacher I was happy (SWEET!).  After I spent the first week with you I hated you. You were gonna be like every teacher I already had (Oh my...I felt like throwing up as soon as I read the words.  I actually had to reread to make sure that is what she said.).  No one ever likes me so I might as well act like it (That she did.)  Then one day you were so mad at me that you started crying when I went out to recess.  I felt happy at first that I made you cry, but then I got sad when I got home (I didn't know that she knew she made me cry.)  I wanted you to like me and not give up on me.  I thought you cared enough to give me another chance so I decided I was going to try hard the next day (and she did).  I decided to like you and learning because you liked me and cared about your own learning.  You explored topics and learned just like we did.  You even wrote stories, poems, and persuasive letters.  By the way...did your husband ever get you a puppy yet?  He needs to cause that was a good letter.  You had nine reasons so it should have worked (she paid way more attention than I ever thought and no my husband didn't care about any of my reasons.)    You and I had our moments but you always treated me like a person and just because I acted up one minute you gave me another chance like ten minutes later.  You hardly ever kicked me out and I didn't get many detentions.  You did let me stay after school and work and that was nice.  You have good snacks.   Keep buying the chocolate animal crackers and your kids will be happy (glad she liked them).  Have a good summer.  Good luck next year.  I will miss the only teacher that ever cared about me enough to keep after me (I felt horrible that she did not feel that other teachers cared about her because I know that they did.  She was not easy to show attention and love towards though.  I struggled with it all year long.) 

Sincerely,
Your Student

P.S.
Thank you for working with me and believing in me.  You thought I could do anything if I tried enough times and now I do to."

This got me fired up to keep it up when it is hard to do.  Keeping yourself motivated will help keep your students motivated.  If you do not care then they will not either.