Education is the miracle I'm just the worker.

A poem is the perfect place to celebrate imperfection and exult in the ways you fall short of being the person you want to be.

The only thing that surprises me is the characterization of teachers as lazy and greedy. Only someone with very little understanding of what teaching requires would say such a thing.

It is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY. You have to speak with it, too.

Here, let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: Teachers? Teachers make a difference! Now what about you?

The best teachers that I had were always the ones I never wanted to disappoint.

I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking, which is, if you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.

Say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks the determination with which you believe it.

Everything I do is kind of a lesson, even if I am the only person who learns it.

I implore you, I entreat you and I challenge you to speak with conviction. To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks the determination with which you believe it. Because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker, it is not enough these days to simply question authority—you've got to speak with it too.

Simply put, the best teachers are the ones you work your tail off for because in the end you just don't want them to think any less of you. You want and need their approval.