Hidden Potential

If multiple credible supporters believe in us, it’s probably time to believe them. If ignorant naysayers don’t believe in us, it might be time to prove them wrong. And when our faith falters, it’s worth remembering what we’re fighting for.

Our assumptions shape our values, which in turn drive our practices.

When students talk about the books that light up their imaginations, it crystallizes why they love them—and gives others the chance to catch that enthusiasm.

Children pay attention to our attention: where we focus tells them what we prize.

Too many people spend their lives being custodians of the past instead of stewards of the future. We worry about making our parents proud when we should be focused on making our children proud. The responsibility of each generation is not to please our predecessors—it’s to improve conditions for our successors.

when we feel a strong sense of belonging to a group, we feel our bootstraps are linked.

One of the great failings of English and literature classes is forcing students to slog through the “classics” rather than giving them the opportunity to choose books that pique their interest.

The U.S. education system is built around a culture of winner take all. We assume that potential is rooted primarily in innate ability that shines through early.

In Finnish schools, a popular mantra is “We can’t afford to waste a brain.” This ethos makes their educational culture distinct. They know that the key to nurturing hidden potential is not to invest in students who show early signs of high ability. It’s to invest in every student regardless of apparent ability.