# 10 Important Teaching Quotes to Keep In Mind This School Year

June 12, 2025

As you gear up for the next school year (and hopefully fit in some time for relaxing and recharging), here are a few tips and insights to tuck away in your toolbox. We’ve paired quotes from some of today’s most trusted education experts with practical strategies you can use to connect with students and families and create a classroom where every learner thrives. A great resource to explore, bookmark, and share before you welcome your new class in the fall!

(Have a favorite insight of your own? Add it in the comments!)

**Quote #1:** “When we expect students to learn, they are more likely to do so.”—From [**It’s More Than “Just Being In,”**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Its-More-Than-Just-Being-In-P1062.aspx) by Cheryl M. Jorgensen

**Take action >>** Learn from Cheryl Jorgensen’s expert perspective on [**The Power of Presuming Competence**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/the-power-of-presuming-competence-an-inclusion-a-ha-moment-with-cheryl-jorgensen/) and get her [**10-Step Plan for Jumpstarting Inclusion.**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/where-do-we-start-cheryl-jorgensens-10-step-plan-for-jumpstarting-inclusion/)

* * *

**Quote #2:** “Learning about students’ families and the lives they share outside school walls is the first and most important step toward getting connected to students.”—From [**You’re Going to Love This Kid!, _Third Edition,_**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Youre-Going-to-Love-This-Kid-P1461.aspx) by Paula Kluth

**Take action >>** Try these practical tips for [**Conducting Home Visits with Diverse Families**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/10-teacher-tips-for-conducting-home-visits-with-diverse-families/) and [**Supporting Families of Students with Disabilities.**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/12-ways-to-support-families-of-students-with-disabilities/)

* * *

**Quote #3:** **“** Planning for the mythical ‘average’ learner means you are planning for no one.” **—** From [**True Inclusion with UDL,**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/True-Inclusion-With-UDL-P1543.aspx) by Patti Kelly Ralabate

**Take action >>** See how to implement **[Structured Dialogue: An 8-Step Process for Planning Authentic Inclusion.](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/21051-2/)**

* * *

**Quote #4:** “No student does better by feeling worse about who they are.”—From [**The Re-Set Process**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/The-Re-Set-Process-P1205.aspx) by Dyane Lewis Carrere with Wynne Kinder

**Take action >>** Try these [**12 Ways to Help Students Feel Safe, Calm, and Regulated at School.**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/12-ways-to-help-students-feel-safe-calm-and-regulated-at-school/)

* * *

**Quote #5:** “Students are not giving us a hard time, they are having a hard time.”—From [**Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Building-Trauma-Sensitive-Schools-P1101.aspx) by Jen Alexander

**Take action >>** Support your students’ emotional well-being with these [**21 Trauma-Sensitive Teaching Tips to Try This School Year,**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/21-trauma-sensitive-teaching-tips-to-try-this-school-year/) and take Jen Alexander’s [**virtual course on Becoming a Trauma-Sensitive Educator**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Becoming-a-Trauma-Sensitive-Educator-P1578.aspx) (CEUs now available!).

* * *

**Quote #6:** “If a student is not doing something as expected, try to think of _why_ they are having difficulty. Often, you’ll find that what looks like a defiant “won’t” is actually a “can’t yet.”—From [**Unstuck and On Target! Ages 11**‒ **15,**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Unstuck-and-On-Target-Ages-11-15-P1516.aspx) by Strang, Kenworthy, Cannon, Alexander, Adler Werner, Pugliese, & Gutermuth Anthony

**Take action >>** Support learners on the road from “can’t” to “can” with these **[11 Ways to Be a Flexible, Organized, and Supportive Teacher.](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/11-ways-to-be-a-flexible-organized-and-supportive-teacher/)**

* * *

**Quote #7:** “True inclusion is not sharing space. It’s about belonging.” **—** From [**True Inclusion with UDL,**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/True-Inclusion-With-UDL-P1543.aspx) by Patti Kelly Ralabate

**Take action >>** Build belonging and equity with these **[Tips for Inclusive School Communities.](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/tips-for-inclusive-school-communities-building-belonging-equity/)**

* * *

**Quote #8:** “Educators must view learning as being as much a part of their work as teaching.”—From [**The Reading Comprehension Blueprint,**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/HSearch.aspx?k=hennessy) by Nancy Hennessy

**Take action >>** Set aside time to watch a few of these [**archived webinars and coffee chats**](/content/resources/resource-library/?fwp_type=webinars/index.html) from Brookes experts—a great resource for professional development!

* * *

**Quote #9:** “Being a caring teacher is a blend of attitude and action.”—From [**The Social‑Emotional Learning Toolbox**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/The-Social-Emotional-Learning-Toolbox-P1308.aspx), by Kathy Perez

**Take action >>** Get all students ready to learn with these [**7 Relationship-Building Strategies for Your Classroom**](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/7-relationship-building-strategies-for-your-classroom/)

* * *

**Quote #10:** “A system that excludes any one of its members is not equitable.”—From [**Reimagining Special Education,**](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Reimagining-Special-Education-P1279.aspx) by Jenna M. Rufo & Julie Causton

**Take action >>** Upgrade your teaching toolkit with these **[10 Ways to Teach and Include All Students This Year.](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/10-ways-to-teach-and-include-all-students-this-year/)**

* * *

### Use these books for PD this year!

Interested in purchasing our titles for professional development, or asking your school to acquire them? Contact your Brookes representative today and get individualized help!