I have never been one for listening to motivational speakers or tapes, with the exception of Chris Farley’s SNL character Matt Foley. But when it comes to education and all the criticism currently being leveled at schools, and teachers in particular, I thought it would be a good idea to remind all of us of some of the most basic tenets about raising and teaching children.

In one sense, the thought of teaching a child is overwhelming. The sheer responsibility. And every child learns differently. Now multiply that massive expectation by 20 -25 students in a typical classroom. It is easy to get lost amongst the trees in the forest.

Whether you are a parent or a teacher, we all want to raise happy, healthy kids who become productive members of society. To that end, Engage the Brain pulled together our 15 favorite quotes about education taken from a selection of very smart people.

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.

Albert Einstein

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg — not by smashing it.
Arnold Glasow

Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.
Bob Talbert

A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.
Chinese Proverb

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.

Edith Ann [Lily Tomlin]

If you think you can do a thing, or think you can’t do a thing; you’re right.
Henry Ford

Never help a child with a task that they feel they can complete themselves.
Maria Montessori

What did you ASK at school today?
Richard Fenyman

When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.
Aristotle

The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.
Albert Einstein

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.
Robin Williams

Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them, they remember who you are.
Jim Henson

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Any teacher is any classroom!

It would do anyone well who works or lives with children to review this list of quotes every so often. There is a lot of wisdom tucked into these words.

If you like the quotes, we encourage you to share them. If you have others you feel belong, please add them on our Facebook page.

In the words of Matt Foley, let’s not let our children “end up living in a van down by the river eating a steady diet of government cheese.” Let’s encourage them to be a source of light and love to and for others.