To quote the exceptional teacher Marva Collins, "I will is more important than IQ." It is wonderful to have a terrific mind, but it's been my experie…

- Rafe Esquith

With better vision, we sacrifice for students for whom that sacrifice will most likely pay off. I'm sorry to say this, but there are times when even …

- Rafe Esquith

If a child is going to grow into a truly special adult–someone who thinks, considers other points of view, has an open mind, and possesses the abilit…

- Rafe Esquith

But to paraphrase Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind, ignorance and mediocrity are forever busy, and the forces of mediocrity aren't content with bei…

- Rafe Esquith

The reason I love teaching, it's like being a miner. I find all these undiscovered jewels and, with the right motivation, they're amazed at what they…

- Rafe Esquith

I want my students to love to read. Reading is not a subject. Reading is a foundation of life, an activity that people who are engaged with the world…

- Rafe Esquith

You hear terrible stories because there'll be a story about some terrible kid, but most of the kids I work with are terrific kids. They're poor, mayb…

- Rafe Esquith

When the kids see the poverty in their neighborhood, but they see these successful kids who come from the countries they come from, come from Mexico,…

- Rafe Esquith

Never compare one student's test score to another's. Always measure a child's progress against her past performance. There will always be a better re…

- Rafe Esquith