Welcome to the TTR Blog

Blog posts are designed to accompany The Neurodivergent Toolkit & Workshop. But everyone can take something from each one and apply it tomorrow.

TTR Blog

Teacher guiding students with meaningful choices that foster autonomy, competence, and willingness instead of control.

From Control to Willingness

We have been told for years that students need tighter control. More rules. Stronger consequences. Yet the research behind Self Determination Theory points in a different direction. The goal is...

From Control to Willingness

We have been told for years that students need tighter control. More rules. Stronger consequences. Yet the research behind Self Determination Theory points in a different direction. The goal is...

Students engaged in classroom activities with meaningful choices that protect autonomy and build lasting motivation.

Motivation That Sticks

Students do not need unlimited freedom. They need meaningful choice inside clear boundaries. The moment learners can select a path that fits them, willingness goes up and resistance goes down....

Motivation That Sticks

Students do not need unlimited freedom. They need meaningful choice inside clear boundaries. The moment learners can select a path that fits them, willingness goes up and resistance goes down....

Teacher supporting student autonomy in a classroom without rewards, fostering intrinsic motivation.

Why Rewards Backfire: Autonomy, and the Classroom

As teachers, maybe we stop asking “How do I motivate students?” and start asking “How do I create the conditions where students motivate themselves?” That’s Self-Determination Theory (SDT): support autonomy, competence,...

Why Rewards Backfire: Autonomy, and the Classroom

As teachers, maybe we stop asking “How do I motivate students?” and start asking “How do I create the conditions where students motivate themselves?” That’s Self-Determination Theory (SDT): support autonomy, competence,...

The One Up One Down Reality of Teaching

The One Up One Down Reality of Teaching

Teachers hold the one up role. That role carries two jobs. First, create the conditions where students take ownership of motivation and responsibility. Second, represent the values of the larger...

The One Up One Down Reality of Teaching

Teachers hold the one up role. That role carries two jobs. First, create the conditions where students take ownership of motivation and responsibility. Second, represent the values of the larger...

How to Reflect on Student Roles Without Shame or Praise

How to Reflect on Student Roles Without Shame o...

How to help students reflect without performance anxiety or comparison, and how to reinforce regulation, identity, and safety through regular debriefs.

How to Reflect on Student Roles Without Shame o...

How to help students reflect without performance anxiety or comparison, and how to reinforce regulation, identity, and safety through regular debriefs.

Getting Student Buy-In for Contribution Roles

Getting Student Buy-In for Contribution Roles

A step-by-step guide to getting students to buy in to classroom roles and responsibilities utilizing intrinsic motivation, not manipulation.

Getting Student Buy-In for Contribution Roles

A step-by-step guide to getting students to buy in to classroom roles and responsibilities utilizing intrinsic motivation, not manipulation.