MOTIVATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION

The present study aims to examine and define the motivational orientations within the teaching profession, emphasizing the factors that stimulate and encourage individuals to choose and remain in this field. Pedagogical motivation is thoroughly considered through the lens of the theoretical models of A. Maslow, F. Herzberg, and the "Job Demands-Resources" (JD-R) model, which highlights the connection between working conditions and motivation. The study focuses not only on intrinsic motivation but also on external factors that can provoke and reinforce it. A large number of active teachers and students training to become future educators participated as respondents through a pedagogical research method in the form of a survey. The results indicate that the combination of internal and external stimuli determines the sustainability of teachers' motivation. The necessity of improving working conditions and creating a favorable educational environment is emphasized in order to encourage long-term engagement among those surveyed.