You Can Quote Me on That!

Words have a unique power to connect, to challenge, and to inspire us. Reflecting on Maya Angelou’s wisdom that “words are things,” I’m reminded of how the words we choose can leave lasting impressions. Words can inspire us to see differently, offer a sense of comfort, and create a spark of curiosity, no matter how simple or small they might seem. ?

In my teaching career, quotes have become a quiet but impactful part of my classroom culture. Each morning, I would write a new quote in the top corner of my whiteboard—just one line left there for students to consider throughout the day. This was a tradition long before smartphones and social media could provide a daily dose of wisdom. ?? There was no grand introduction, just a quiet invitation. Sometimes, students would pause and ask, “What does this mean?” or “Why did you choose this one?” Others would copy the quotes into their notebooks, creating their own collection of wisdom as we moved through the year. ??

The real impact of this simple ritual struck me when a former student opened her speech with a quote she’d first seen on my board: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken,” by Oscar Wilde. This little daily practice had sparked deeper reflections than I’d ever expected, and I felt humbled to see how my students had carried these words with them. ??

I now bring these quotes into my training sessions, where I work with future educators, hoping they too will see the value in offering moments of inspiration to their own students. ????

One of my go-to sources is Paul Lockhart’s Measurement, a beautiful work on the wonder of mathematics.

Two quotes that often resonate with students are:

? “Mathematics is not a language; it’s an adventure.” —Paul Lockhart ??        

? “Wherever there is number, there is beauty.” —Proclus ?        

In a world that moves quickly, we sometimes forget that the smallest parts of our teaching can make a profound difference. A simple quote can be an invitation to slow down, think, and see the world through new eyes. It’s these moments, and the words we share, that stay with students long after they leave the classroom. ??

Can you recall a quote that has stayed with you for years? Why has it been so meaningful?

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