Only secretly rebellious teachers have ever done right by our least advantaged kids.

Some people thought that if you put pressure on kids, parents, and teachers and schools, the pressure alone would produce results. It appealed to people who think the quick fix for education is to threaten people. It's not a left-right division.

Teaching is mostly listening, and learning is mostly telling.

It's the curiosity that drives me. It's making a difference in the world that prevents me from ever giving up.

A passion for learning...isn't something you have to inspire with; it's something you have to keep from extinguishing.

Only secretly rebellious teachers have ever done right by our least advantaged kids.

I take enormous pleasure every time I see something that I've done that cannot be wiped out. In some way ... I guess it's a protest against mortality. But it's been so much fun! It's the curiosity that drives me. It's making a difference in the world that prevents me from ever giving up.