Teacher Quotes

“My approach to education was determined by the fact that in the most difficult boy I always saw another side. I sensed beneath the rough, defiant, and cynical attitude the yearning for appreciation, understanding, and the willingness to struggle to become an accepted member of society. I felt that the difficult boy-yes, even the young criminal, was more sinned against than sinning. We, as adults, do not come to him with clean hands and clear consciences because too often we have failed to help him live by the moral code that we write and preach. What I want to stress is that an overwhelming number of boys, in spite of living in difficult communities, with demoralizing influences, have made fine lives for themselves and are among our civic leaders today.”

– Leonard Covello, The Heart is the Teacher, McGraw-Hill, NY, 1958, page 270.

“A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.”

– William Lyon Phelps

“What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches.”

– Karl Menninger

“No one has ever yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.”

– Emma Goldman

“Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task.”

– Haim Ginott

“Addie Mix’s eyes well with tears as she recalls the trial for her son’s murderer. ‘The jury found this young man not guilty despite a seemingly airtight case. I am learning to forgive, because my light can’t shine in hatred.’ Addie’s resolution parallels Booker T. Washington’s words, ‘I will allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.’”

From “A Ray of Hope in the Darkness: One Mother’s Story of Tragedy, Trauma and Triumph”, by Cleo Lampos

“One thing I know, the world’s been good to me. A better place awaits, you see. Sometime I get so confused. Lord, my past gets in the way. I need the ones I love, Lord, more and more each day.”

Lyrics sung by Glenn Campbell during his Good-Bye Tour from “A Better Place” on the album “Ghost on the Canvas”

“I’d like people to rethink the way they shop. Its cool to get a bargain, something manufactured cheaply overseas, but it’s a killer for people who hand-make things.”

Mary Jane Butters, founder of Project F.A.R.M and teacher of program for apprentice organic farmers.