Motivating Disengaged Students Equals Success

Motivating disengaged students is essential for fostering learning and achievement. When students feel motivated, they persist longer, engage more deeply, produce higher-quality work, and perform better in class. But how do you motivate a student who seems to have given up entirely?

‘My dad killed my mum’ he announced in class

A few years ago, I taught at a school in Australia where disengaged students were a common challenge. One day, a student—let’s call him Dave—was placed in my class mid-year. As he walked in, he announced, “Hi, my dad killed my mum.”

Dave had been expelled from other schools, and his development was far behind. He carried a lot of fear and anger and hated school. At first, he refused to learn, but I knew that with patience and the right approach, I could make a difference.

2 minute a day strategy that works!

Dave’s barriers weren’t just academic—they were emotional. To help him feel safe, I didn’t push him to participate. Instead, I used small steps to build his confidence. For tasks, I offered alternatives that upheld his dignity, such as presenting a simpler version of the activity in a conversational way suited to his year level. No Year 5 student wants to feel singled out with a Year 2 textbook.

One of the most effective strategies I used with Dave was the 2-Minute-a-Day technique. Every day, I spent two minutes chatting with him about something he was interested in. It could be anything—his hobbies, a game he liked, or even just a funny moment from his day.

This strategy, which I learned during a training session in 2001, always seems to work. When you dedicate two minutes a day for ten days, you start to build trust and connection. Over time, Dave’s barriers began to crumble, and he became more open and engaged.

Love Conquers All

After a few months, Dave wasn’t the same disengaged student I first met. He laughed more and became well-liked by his classmates. One day, I overheard a conversation between Dave and his younger brother.

His brother asked, “Dad’s coming out of prison—why don’t you want to leave school and go with him?” Dave replied, “I want to stay because my teacher loves me.”

It was a moment of clarity for me. Even though Dave eventually left the school, the connection we built had made a lasting impact on his view of learning. Sometimes, love, care, and patience are the most powerful tools we have.

Motivating disengaged students

Motivating disengaged students isn’t easy, but it’s always worth the effort. For me, it starts with creating a classroom environment where students feel valued and supported. Behaviour management becomes easier when students are engaged and connected.

Here are a few strategies I’ve found helpful:
Adapt Your Materials – Tailor tasks to your students’ abilities while maintaining their dignity.
Build Relationships – Use the 2-Minute-a-Day strategy to show genuine care.
Foster a Sense of Belonging – Activities that build social skills and connections can make a big difference.

Nick Woolf’s 2×10 Strategy, which encourages educators to spend two minutes a day for ten days building relationships, is a practical approach to motivating disengaged students. It’s all about making small, consistent efforts to connect.

Keep trying, keep learning

Not every strategy will work for every student. As Chris Holmes writes in his article, What to do about disengaged students: wisdom begins in wonder, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But the key is to keep trying, adapting, and showing students you care.

Motivating disengaged students is about more than just teaching. It’s about understanding their needs and creating an environment where they feel seen and supported. Share your experiences below. Have you had a similar challenge with a student? Let’s learn from each other!