Students are motivated by rewards and gifts. Many researchers have conducted studies and found this to be true. Here at Wade Hampton, teachers mostly utilize the rewards technique of giving out candy when questions are answered or providing extra credit options. Mr. Shinpoch came up with a unique reward for his first semester US History students. He promised them that if they made above an average of 85 on the EOC, one class could shave designs into his hair and the other could apply makeup to him. Obviously, many students snatched up the opportunity to embarrass their teacher. After the EOC results came back with an impressive average, Mr. Shinpoch kept his promise.

During the makeup process.

Did his promise of a reward actually make his students study more? Junior Lauren Putman declared, “I didn’t really study for that reason alone, but I did think it’d be really funny. In a way, it unconsciously motivated me.” Historically, students have always responded well to food and extra credit. This escapade gave students a different kind of motivation; humor. Teachers, take some notes and crack some jokes.