The Self-Determined Teacher
Using the Behavior Principles of Motivation to Re-Inspire Your Educational Fire.
“The Self-Determined Teacher is like sitting down with a friend who reminds you why you started teaching in the first place — and then hands you a bunch of simple, brilliant ideas to make it fun again. Anissa’s stories are real, her tips are practical, and the whole book makes you want to jump back in with fresh energy. Inspiring and actionable, it’s a guide every educator will want within reach.”
-Anne Grady, international speaker and best-selling author of Mind Over Moment, 52 Strategies for Life, Love, and Work, Strong Enough, and the upcoming book EvolvAbility: How to Adapt, Lead, and Succeed in Times of Change
"What a breath of fresh air! The Self-Determined Teacher is a simple yet powerful read that helps educators refocus, recharge, and reconnect with their purpose. Watch out, teacher burnout—there’s a new sheriff in town!"
-Patrick Mulick, national keynote speaker and Special Education Director, Washington
"This remarkable and timely book is written from the heart as a love letter to every teacher that has ever lost their joy and passion for teaching. Anissa provides a realistic and practical roadmap to guide your way back to the joy that once was and can be again. The journey is filled with reflection, celebrations and hope!"
-Lisa Rogers, national educational presenter and the author of Visual Supports for Visual Thinkers
Do you remember why you became a teacher or educational leader in the first place?
You had a spark—a fire that lit you up and drove you to change the world, one student at a time.
But over time, that fire may have dimmed.
The evolving landscape of education has left many passionate educators facing unprecedented challenges: growing caseloads, increased student needs, limited instructional time, and overwhelming demands that chip away at daily motivation. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to reignite your educational fire.
In The Self-Determined Teacher: Using the Behavior Principles of Motivation to Re-Inspire Your Educational Fire, you’ll discover how the core principles of self-determination theory—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—can transform the way you approach your work and renew your sense of purpose.
Anissa Moore, an educator and national presenter with over three decades in the field of education, offers practical, research-backed strategies to help you:
Set realistic, achievable goals for yourself and your school year
Shift from mindset to skillset in handling daily challenges
Build stronger, more meaningful connections with students and colleagues
Increase autonomy, foster competence, and cultivate a lasting sense of optimism
Rekindle your passion for education and deepen your commitment to both your students and yourself
Motivation isn’t handed to you—it’s something you build, one intentional step at a time.
And you—and your students—are absolutely worth it.
-Anissa Moore, M.ED., BCBA, LBA
