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Great educators change lives.

The trick is to listen to your instinct, grab the opportunity when it presents itself, and then give it your all. Like a hangover, neither triumphs nor disasters last forever. They both pass and a new day arrives.

It's hard to live up to your potential when you don't like what you do.

Following your passion is not a secure choice in life, but if you can find the light and go for it, you will see that it is the best choice.

Put yourself in the shoes of the less fortunate and have empathy.

We cannot expect others to understand our point of view if we don't understand theirs.

Nothing productive rises out of hate.

Don't let our current national tribalism give 'tribe' a bad name. See yours. Show up, leave your phone in the car — your reassuring, here-for-you physical presence. Make that happen.

Ideas don't come out fully formed. They only become clear as you work on them. You just have to get started.

No matter how cliché it may sound, you will never truly be successful until you learn to give beyond yourself. Empathy and kindness are the true signs of emotional intelligence.

The real world doesn't reward rule followers the way the educational world does and the real world is not always merit-based. The institutions and organizations we yield to and trust in to support our success, whether they be employers or government, are flawed.

Live each day as if you will live forever.