Human life is inherently creative. It's why we all have different résumés. … It's why human culture is so interesting and diverse and dynamic.

To improve our schools, we have to humanize them and make education personal to every student and teacher in the system. Education is always about relationships. Great teachers are not just instructors and test administrators: They are mentors, coaches, motivators, and lifelong sources of inspiration to their students.

There is no system in the world or any school in the country that is better than its teachers. Teachers are the lifeblood of the success of schools.

The real role of leadership in education ... is not and should not be command and control. The real role of leadership is climate control, creating a climate of possibility.

I mean, really, whatever you woke up worrying about this morning, get over it. How important in the greater scheme of things can it possibly be? Make your peace and move on.

Being creative is at the heart of being human and of all cultural progress.

It’s education that’s meant to take us into this future that we can’t grasp.