In this week’s episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Gina Riley, an educational psychologist and Clinical Professor of Adolescent Special Education at Hunter College. While talking with Gina, I learned a lot about positive psychology, self-determination theory, and cognitive evaluation theory. I know what you’re thinking. Those are some fancy words. Believe me, I didn’t know what any of that meant. But have no fear! Gina did an amazing job of breaking it all down into straightforward, easy to understand information, along with actionable advice for parents. If you are looking to help the teen in your life increase their motivation, recognize their strengths, develop competence, find their autonomy and become a better decision-maker, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.
About Dr. Gina Riley
Gina’s journey started when she was twenty years old and a single mother, having to go to work and school. She decided to study psychology because that was her passion and her love. She earned her Bachelor’s degree when her son was 2 ½ and then went on to earn her Master’s degree. When she started thinking about topics for a Master’s thesis, Gina’s son was four years old so she was involved in the Leche League and some attachment parenting groups, and that led her to be interested in homeschooling and unschooling. Gina had no idea at the time that it was going to be their path. In fact, she thought that it wouldn’t be their path. But Gina started hanging out with more homeschoolers and started doing research on different types of education.
While reading the Sunday NY Times one day, and found the
theory of self-determination, developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. It was
the year 2000 and positive psychology was the big thing in the psychological
world and Gina really connected with the whole sense of intrinsic motivation,
doing what you love, and doing what you’re passionate about for most of your
life. For Gina, that tied in naturally with homeschooling and unschooling, but
it also tied in with life. Gina didn’t want to do anything that she didn’t want
to do. She only wanted to do things that she loved, things that she was
passionate about, and doing things that she felt would be worthy of leaving her
son with caregivers. This is when Gina started falling in love with intrinsic
motivation while at the same time thinking about school options for her son.
Because he was five and curious and fun, Gina decided to try homeschooling. It
was challenging because she was also working and going to school, but somehow
it all worked out.
Gina did her Master’s thesis on self-determination. While earning her Ph.D., Gina studied intrinsic motivation in homeschoolers, homeschooled her son, and did some adjunct work. Her dissertation was on cognitive evaluation theory and intrinsic motivation. Gina then landed a job at Hunter College in New York as an adjunct professor. She was then hired full-time to coordinate and run the adolescent special education program, while also doing research on homeschooling and unschooling.
Episode Highlights
- Focusing On What’s Right Rather Than What’s Wrong
- How To Increase Teens Intrinsic Motivation
- Helping Teens Recognize Their Strengths So They Can Develop A Sense Of Competence
- Letting Go of Parental Fear And Allowing Teens To Find Their Autonomy
- Have Your Teen’s Back No Matter What To Instill A Sense Of Relatedness
- Open and Accepting Conversations Are Key To Building Teens Decision Making Skills
- Freedom and Choice May Help Alleviate Anxiety and Depression
- There Is No Such Thing As Laziness
- Expecting Teens To Know Their Purpose Is Unrealistic
- Helping Teens With Special Needs Learn Better Decision Making
- Gina’s Advice To Her Teenage Self
Resources
Gina’s Book: Unschooling, Learning Beyond the Classroom