According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a person may only be able to move up the pyramid if they satisfy the needs at the bottom first.

Self-Actualization Needs: In order for this level of needs to be reached, all of needs below must be met. Once those needs are fulfilled, the teacher would be motivated to reach her fullest potential by sharing her knowledge with her students.   

Self Esteem Needs:  The teacher's lack of motivation may be due to a poor teacher-student relationship. To create a positive climate in which the teacher would be motivated to teach, the students must show her respect.

Love and Belonging Needs:  Another possible cause of the “instructor amotivational syndrome” is that the teacher may not feel accepted in her school environment. In order for the teacher to feel comfortable and willing to teach, she must be surrounded by supportive and friendly colleagues.

Safety Needs: The teacher must feel safe in her environment. If the teacher felt threatened by her students or her surroundings, she would be too preoccupied to concentrate on teaching a class. In addition, if she is experiencing job insecurity, she may not be motivated to continue teaching.

Humanistic theory came about in the 1960s as a counter to Freudian psychology and behaviorism. Rather than focusing on past trauma or strictly observable behavior, humanistic psychology focuses on current environmental influences, the need for love and acceptance, and personal growth. Humanistic psychology says that humans will always strive to achieve their maximum potential.

One of the most well-known aspects of humanistic theory is Abraham Maslow's concept of self-actualization, our need to reach full potential. Maslow based the idea of self-actualization on similar traits shared by productive people; those traits included self-awareness, self-acceptance, spontaneity, love, and the ability to not be paralyzed of the judgement of others. Maslow said that these people were problem-centered rather than self-centered. 

An important aspect of humanistic perspective, and our personalities, is self-concept. Self-concept is important in self-awareness, being true to ourselves, and working for that goal of self-actualization.

Self-actualization is part of the hierarchy of needs, which includes physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs, as represented below.

Self-actualization, according to Maslow, is an impossible goal. No one has ever had complete understanding of themselves, no one has ever stopped growing emotionally or intellectually.

Carl Rogers is another prominent thinker of the humanistic perspective. He said that growth was nurtured by others being open with their feelings and genuine, and by being accepting, what Rogers called the "unconditional positive regard," or being expressive without judgement. He also believed empathy nurtured growth as well, by sharing our feelings. 

Citing:

Myers, David G. Myers' Psychology for AP. New York, NY: Worth, 2011. Print.