student motivation has always been an issue. i've taught pretty much every grade from kinder to high school to a community college and now a career college. i've always felt that the knowledge of the subject matter is always the best motivator. this, however, must be in conjunction with other factors of teaching; susch as, humor, empathy or leniency, understanding or caring. once a student see that you are willing to bend over backwards for them they do set to complete their work, and even try to please the instructor, and hopefully with that they learn what is necessary to graduate and succeed in their career choice.