“I think that schools are doing what they need to do to get you to the next step. But not enough in that step.”
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I would like [my future children] to have the education to be able to do anything that they want. I want them to be able to figure out what they want to do, and not feel like they are limited.
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"A lot of people in positions of power--especially in the classroom, are seen as outsiders. I speak the language of privilege, I have the skin color of privilege, and when you’re an outsider that way, people see you negatively. So I work really hard to forge relationships with my students and know what’s going on with their families. I’ve made an effort to know Spanish. And its hard, because I’m so vulnerable with my students—they can laugh at me! But it’s definitely a growth point for me."
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“What makes me happy is having choices, so I would like to see that for other people.”
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"All schools should start from that place of growth mindset, and that everyone has unique and unlimited potential to tap into."
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"I think it’s important we show that school is something that happens at school and at home, that teachers partner with parents and work together."
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"I would also want them to give back to their community, like having youth programs for underprivileged kids who can’t afford certain activities. I would want them to empower young kids, to build their self-esteem and teach them strategies for how to hang in there and not give up."
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"Honestly as long as she’s doing something that she enjoys, it's not about how much money she's making."
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"Schools should get students excited about learning. School should be a joyful place, overwhelmingly joyful. I want schools to help elicit joyfulness in learning and development in my child."
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“I would love the purpose of school to be about engagement in society - being active participants in democracy, and having a voice. Right now its more focused on monetary outcomes and financial status.”
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"That's the major pivot, is that schools become much more about relationship and much more about listening to, protecting, and wrapping our arms around children. And then those are the outcomes we chase, those are the things we measure. The depth and quality of relationships amongst the children, that they feel cared about, loved and protected."
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"It’s almost like there’s a perfect standard we’re all measuring ourselves against and failing in different ways, which is why everyone in public school, at least everyone I remember, felt like somewhat of a misfit."
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"It’s that thing Chesterton always says—the democracy of the dead. There are so many things that have been written and studied in history by people before us that have found insights into human nature, and we don’t tend to respect them as much as we could. But it’s all there for the taking."
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“The main purpose of school is to give kids opportunities to do things they care about. Choices.”
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“Schools shouldn’t try to compare children. Both my daughters were very different students. My sister and I were the same way. I had some of the same teachers as my sister, and I’ll never forget that one day I spelled the world nickel wrong (I’m still not sure if it’s –el or –le), and my teacher said “A sister of Pat’s spelling nickel wrong?” At this time, my sister Patricia was getting her PhD in Chemistry.”
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"Schools should push every child to be themselves, and give them the resources and support they need to pursue what they want to pursue. But also give them the space for them to figure that out for themselves. This is a difficult thing to do, but I think if schools are places of wonder and excitement, it’s okay if kids are on different levels."
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"I think education should get you to a place where you feel fulfilled and you feel happy, and where you're not just comparing yourself to other people who do very well on a conveyor belt."
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“I want [my future kids] to find what's important to them, to be happy (whatever that means to them), and not let another's definition of happiness deter them.”
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"I want them to find a passion, whether that is work, or a "life's endeavor." I want them to have something that drives them to fill their days with, and that they feel is contributing to the betterment of themselves or those around them. It all leads back to happiness."
Read More“I think back to the one-on-one parent-teacher conferences that I had when I said, ‘Your child is reading below grade level, here are some flashcards you can do with him,’ instead of saying, ‘You know what? Your child is really compassionate. He always wants to help others and problem solve, and reading will come.’”