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August 05, 2011

George Avila

Author: NYSUT Communications

My name is George Avila and I teach at the Rockland County BOCES. I have established a token economy to encourage student progress in learning Spanish and Spanish culture. I named my token economy “bodega dollars,” meaning store dollars.

I motivate my students not only to work hard in my class but also to work hard in other classes. My token economy works by paying my students “bodega money” for class participation, homework, respecting peers and helping other students. Toward the end of my class, I give my students the option of purchasing snacks or saving their bodega money. When one of my students reaches 2,500 bodega dollars, I reward them with a $25 dollar gift card.

I want to teach my students that with hard work and determination, they can accomplish anything they want!