Educators remind us that what counts in a classroom is not what the teacher teaches; it’s what the learner learns.

In outstanding classrooms, teachers do more listening than talking, and students do more talking than listening. Terrific teachers often have teeth marks on their tongues.

If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.

You have to give them unconditional love. They need to know that even if they screw up, you love them. You don't want them to grow up and resent you or, even worse, parent the way you parented them.

To control students is to force them to accommodate to a preestablished curriculum.

Trying to do well and trying to beat others are two different things. Excellence and victory are conceptually distinct . . . and are experienced differently.

Being a team player should not imply a demand for simple obedience and conformity.