10 Inspirational Quotes for Teachers from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Revered Leader and Orator Said Many Things That can Inspire Educators Everywhere

I've always found motivation and inspiration in the words and deeds of great men and women, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is certainly in the upper echelon of modern history's most lauded and oft-quoted figures.

This celebrated man is an inspiration for his heroic deeds and brilliant leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, but his actual birth date, January 15th, also holds a special place in my heart. My mother was born on this same date, one year after Dr. King. I am inevitably reminded of both of these special people when this day comes around each year.

As we embark upon this day of observation and celebration of this amazing man's life, I am moved to seek out and share some of his wisdom. Many of his words lend themselves to the challenges teachers face in striving for the best outcomes for the students they teach (which are often further compounded when we seek to effectively bring technology to the teaching and learning process).

Dr. King's words can certainly move all of us in our day-to-day lives. They can also encourage teachers and administrators to keep working to navigate the many obstacles that lay in their path as they strive to improve teaching and learning and motivate the students they serve.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus”.

“Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.”

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“And there comes a time when one must take a position that neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right”

“The time is always right to do what is right”

“We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.”