Marva Collins Quotes

If I have a talent for making some fourth-grader who hates school and reading to hate it a little less, then I have to do the most with what I've been issued.

When kids are met with the highest expectations and given the extra supports they need, they can be as motivated as kids anywhere.

The best school in the world will scarcely save a boy who hates the school and the purpose it serves and the society that created it.

We need to make sure our students are exerting themselves. We need to praise them when they deserve it and to tell them honestly when they have it in them to work harder.

A pinch of praise is worth a pound of scorn. A dash of encouragement is more helpful than a dipper of pessimism. A cup of kindness is better than a cupboard of criticism.

Most of my teachers probably found I made less trouble if they let me read.

Being critical is not something I like to do. I like to appreciate and inspire.

So my son is very curious, which is fantastic. He loves school. So I don't have to encourage him too much, but I love to do it because I know it's meaningful and words are powerful.

If you keep telling a youngster he is no good, he might begin to doubt himself. A pat on the back could bring the very best out of him.

My parents never discouraged me. There were a couple times when my dad criticized a couple things that I did, but it was nothing. So through the bad shows, I never wanted to quit.

I grew up in a house where nobody had to tell me to go to school every day and do my homework.

The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them.

A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.

The Purdue education was fine, but I wasn't ready to learn when I was at Purdue.

The best teachers are those who keep students motivated, challenged and flourishing.

Excitement in education and student productivity, the ability to get a result that you want from students, go together and cannot be separated.

My own experience is that there is no real effort in life that is not done better under encouragement and approval of our fellow men.

As a former high school teacher and a student in a class of 60 urchins at St. Brigid's grammar school, I know that education is all about discipline and motivation. Disadvantaged students need extra attention, a stable school environment, and enough teacher creativity to stimulate their imaginations. Those things are not expensive.

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.

People are too quick to criticize and condemn. We've got to be more positive.

College kids want to be coached. They want to be taught. They might resist it a little bit early on, but the more you give, the more you get back.

I compliment people when I see something I really like and tell them, 'That was good. Keep doing what you're doing.' That's as much as advice as you will get out of me.

You should always encourage people. The worst that can happen is that they fail.

Not everybody responds to yelling at 'em or jumping all over 'em. Sometimes you need to put your arm around somebody and encourage them.

Always praise 'em before you hit 'em.