Go Beyond the Sticker Chart!

Michelle Hollander
Director of Educational Content

News

Teq Supports District Implementation: Beyond funding guidance, Teq provides turnkey grant alignment, hardware staging, and certified PD coaching via OTISpd.com to ensure 100% classroom adoption.


Go beyond the sticker chart! Check out our engaging virtual PD course on OTIS for educators.

While sticker charts may appear to be harmless fun, there are a variety of reasons why educators should consider pivoting away from them. Let’s dive into practical strategies that rise above external rewards to build a lasting framework. It’s time to go beyond the sticker chart!

Why Pivot?

Ultimately, sticker charts can highlight student inequalities and undermine intrinsic motivation, while only providing short-term compliance. Authentic ambition is the result of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as described by the Self-Determination Theory. When these needs are met, people feel intrinsically driven rather than externally pressured, leading to greater well-being, persistence, and personal growth.

Students feel motivated to take ownership of their learning goals and strive for growth, especially when they believe they can improve and succeed. Further, having strong relationships only benefits students in feeling connected to their learning and helps build both purpose and meaning in their work.

Tips & Tricks

In the OTIS session, Beyond the Sticker Chart: Building Intrinsic Motivation in Early Ed, we’ll explore the steps that educators and families can use to help boost student potential.

Go beyond the sticker chart! Here’s a sneak peek of some effective tips and tricks:

1. Build autonomy by giving student voice and choice. Consider choice boards to spark inspiration!

2. Use specific, process-based feedback that focuses on effort and strategies, not just outcomes, to build confidence and competence!

3. Connect tasks to the real world and student interests while maintaining check-ins and collaborative learning environments.

Join Us!

Small changes can have a lasting impact, and there are many resources available to support you along the way. Tune in, and we’ll show you how!

Don’t forget to check out our Edu Resources section for even more support materials.


For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more content on the Teq Talk blog or our YouTube channels OTIS for educators and Tequipment.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and support with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology and strategies that spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening!

Follow us on social:

  edteq           Twitter icon  OTIS4educators  |  Teq Products  |  iBlocks         facebook icon  MyTeq        LinkedIn icon  Teq 


Related Articles & Other Recommended Reading

Beat the June Burnout: 7 Low-Stress PD Sessions to Prep for Next Year
The countdown is on! Whether you’re a teacher officially on break or school is still in session, we’re celebrating another successful year. You’ve earned the time off to relax and maintain your skills with OTIS for educators! We’ve got tons of engaging PD courses all year round and have curated courses that will perfectly pair […]

[ READ MORE ]

Catch Teq at ISTE 2026!
Teq is ecstatic to attend the annual International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Live26! We’re excited to connect with educators and leaders alike to integrate cutting-edge edtech solutions that transform classroom instruction. Taking place from June 28th to July 1st, 2026, this top-notch event is being held at the Orange County Convention Center in […]

[ READ MORE ]

Go Beyond the Sticker Chart!
While sticker charts may appear to be harmless fun, there are a variety of reasons why educators should consider pivoting away from them. Let’s dive into practical strategies that rise above external rewards to build a lasting framework. It’s time to go beyond the sticker chart! Why Pivot? Ultimately, sticker charts can highlight student inequalities […]

[ READ MORE ]