Motivation to Learn: Transforming Classroom Culture to Support Student Achievement (Classroom Insights from Educational Psychology)

Michael Middleton is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department at the University of New Hampshire where he researches and examines the relation of classroom and culture to adolescent identity and motivation in diverse community settings. Currently, he holds the John and H. Irene Peters Professorship in Education to support his teaching, research and service and has been a recipient of a UNH Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. Primarily, his teaching focuses on the preparation of educators to meet the complex demands of classroom teaching. Early in his career, Michael was a high school mathematics teacher working with at-risk youth. He currently lives in New Hampshire with his son. Kevin Perks is a program and research associate with Learning Innovations at WestEd who works with schools and districts across the country to support motivation, engagement and achievement in such areas as standards-based education, literacy, and educational reform. Most recently, Kevin has been working with districts to support the implementation of the Common Core State Standards across all content areas. Kevin began his career in Ohio where he taught at a private school dedicated to addressing the needs of under-served learners with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Since then he has taught a variety of subjects from K-12 to the university level. Kevin currently lives in Maine with his wife and daughter.