Teaching is mostly listening, and learning is mostly telling.

The only thing they [government] want is better data. But data doesn't tell people someone is well educated. It's a vicious circle. There is some myth involved. Some of this attitude has a long history.

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

Mindset changes are not happening from change in legislation. Like desegregation. We legally got rid of legal segregation, but schools are still segregated. You can demand people have better math understanding, but it depends how you interpret math understanding, and what you want it for, and if you think everybody can and should have that.

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.

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