My mother was an English teacher who decided to become a math teacher, and she used me as a guinea pig at home. My father had been a math teacher and then went to work at a steel mill because, frankly, he could make more money doing that.

It is part of the work of education to have substantive relationships with your students.

When you give of yourself, it's draining.

Most people don't realize that it's not just minorities who don't do well in science and engineering - quite frankly, you're talking about Americans.

There is something exciting about being in an environment in which it's really cool to be smart.

I began to understand the challenges that first-generation college students and students of color have in college.

I wanted to find ways for colleges and universities to become involved with public schools to help young people prepare for college.