--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Teachers who complain 'These kids have no…" description: "\"“Teachers who complain 'These kids have no work ethic' couldn't be farther off the mark. The problem is not that these kids lack a work ethic; the prob..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f8/garret-keizer-34804_education_teachers-who-complain-these-kids-have-no_2060290.jpg" --- # Teachers who complain 'These kids have no work ethic'… ![“Teachers who complain 'These kids have no work ethic' couldn't be farther off the mark. The problem is not that these kids lack a work ethic; the problem is that some of them see no connection between a work ethic and school. None of them would think, for example, to say to a customer at the…” quote by Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f8/garret-keizer-34804_education_teachers-who-complain-these-kids-have-no_2060290.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f8/garret-keizer-34804_education_teachers-who-complain-these-kids-have-no_2060290.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f8/garret-keizer-34804_education_teachers-who-complain-these-kids-have-no_2060290.jpg) > ““Teachers who complain 'These kids have no work ethic' couldn't be farther off the mark. The problem is not that these kids lack a work ethic; the problem is that some of them see no connection between a work ethic and school. None of them would think, for example, to say to a customer at the MacDonald's drive-up window, 'Do you think I could get you those Chicken McNuggets some time tomorrow?' Yet we give sanction to that sort of request when it comes to school assignments.”” [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Students often lack motivation because they don’t see relevance between effort and real-world outcomes. **In simple terms:** Relevance drives work ethic. Key Takeaway Connect learning to practical life. Themes education motivation relevance Mood inspirational thoughtful Type educational motivational When to use this quote - teaching high school - career counseling - skill workshops Key Concepts intrinsic motivation curriculum design career pathways Questions to Reflect On - How can teachers make lessons feel relevant? - What real-world links can be highlighted? A Different Perspective Changing curricula is complex; systemic inertia. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Ethic Couldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethic-couldn-3927590/) [Ethic Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethic-problem-3927589/) [Ethic School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethic-school-3927588/) [Kids Lack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids-lack-1918184/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Work ethic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-ethic/) ## Related quotes > [I don't have children that I've lost in a bitter custody dispute. But I see an enormous wound in kids due to a lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/i-don-t-have-children-that-i-ve-lost-in-a-bitter-custody-dispute-but/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [America's work ethic is non-stop; it's not even enshrined in law that workers have to get their two weeks holiday money. But Americans work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/america-s-work-ethic-is-non-stop-it-s-not-even-enshrined-in-law-that/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I move on as quickly as possible. I tend to be really hard on myself anyway, which is great for work ethic and such,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-rickards/i-move-on-as-quickly-as-possible-i-tend-to-be-really-hard-on-myself/) [Ashley Rickards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-rickards/) > [I understood early on that I was not the best-looking girl in the room. But I knew my advantage was a hard work ethic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/i-understood-early-on-that-i-was-not-the-best-looking-girl-in-the/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [“Allow the beauty of all that we love be reflected in who we are and in our actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-w-boyer/allow-the-beauty-of-all-that-we-love-be-reflected-in-who-we-are-and/) [Mark W Boyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-w-boyer/) > [Bottom line is, work ethic equals dreams, and I am walking proof that that's a fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diamond-dallas-page/bottom-line-is-work-ethic-equals-dreams-and-i-am-walking-proof-that/) [Diamond Dallas Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diamond-dallas-page/) > [What I love about the theater is the work ethic. I grew up with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlo-thomas/what-i-love-about-the-theater-is-the-work-ethic-i-grew-up-with-it/) [Marlo Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlo-thomas/) > [The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether its proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/the-minute-you-get-away-from-fundamentals-whether-its-proper/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [As American productivity, once the exuberant engine of national wealth, has dipped to an embarrassingly uncompetitive low, Americans have shaken their heads: the country's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-morrow/as-american-productivity-once-the-exuberant-engine-of-national-wealth/) [Lance Morrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-morrow/) > [I know guys respect work ethic, and they respect the guys that are invested and committed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/i-know-guys-respect-work-ethic-and-they-respect-the-guys-that-are/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) > [All My Children taught me a great work ethic; you work so hard on a soap opera! It is a good way to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-larue/all-my-children-taught-me-a-great-work-ethic-you-work-so-hard-on-a/) [Eva LaRue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-larue/) > [If you're going to preach dedication, work ethic, teamwork, unselfishness, and being part of a team to accomplish a common goal, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mullin/if-you-re-going-to-preach-dedication-work-ethic-teamwork/) [Chris Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mullin/) > [I don't think I've met anyone with a stronger work ethic than Ray Charles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/i-don-t-think-i-ve-met-anyone-with-a-stronger-work-ethic-than-ray/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) ## More by Garret Keizer > [“I'd probably put those salt and pepper shakers away now, David, because we're about to be visited by dribbling cannibal psychopath and we wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/i-d-probably-put-those-salt-and-pepper-shakers-away-now-david-because/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“My master gives me bread and beer and every good thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/my-master-gives-me-bread-and-beer-and-every-good-thing/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“Killt him a b'ar when he was only three.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/killt-him-a-b-ar-when-he-was-only-three/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“If God came to India, he'd have to come as bread. If God came to Willoughby union he'd have to came as what?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/if-god-came-to-india-he-d-have-to-come-as-bread-if-god-came-to/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“If you can sustain the insight that people are doing the best they can--if you can maintain some faith that this is an insight--you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/if-you-can-sustain-the-insight-that-people-are-doing-the-best-they/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“So beer is our bread?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/so-beer-is-our-bread/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“People in the city are poor because they are oppressed, discriminated against and alienated; people in the country are poor because they're too stupid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/people-in-the-city-are-poor-because-they-are-oppressed-discriminated/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [ “Our advertising and even our arts convey the idea that we \[Americans\] as a society are brash, irreverent, and free of all constraint, when… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/our-advertising-and-even-our-arts-convey-the-idea-that-we-americans/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“I try to remember what I have too often forgotten to my peril: as far as teaching goes, when all you are is right,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/i-try-to-remember-what-i-have-too-often-forgotten-to-my-peril-as-far/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“Everyone believes in sin, the people who charge their peers with political incorrectness and the people who regard political correctness as the bogey of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/everyone-believes-in-sin-the-people-who-charge-their-peers-with/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“We inculcate in our children the sensibilities of raccoons, a fascination with shiny objects and an appetite for garbage, and then carp about 'the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/we-inculcate-in-our-children-the-sensibilities-of-raccoons-a/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“The bottom line here -- and I use the phrase with an eye to the mind-set that promotes these 'systems' -- is that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/the-bottom-line-here-and-i-use-the-phrase-with-an-eye-to-the-mind-set/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) > [“As we're told that 10 percent of all high school education will be computer-based by 2014 and rise to 50 percent by 2019, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garret-keizer/as-we-re-told-that-10-percent-of-all-high-school-education-will-be/) [Garret Keizer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) [Explore all 14 Garret Keizer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garret-keizer/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. 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They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) [Ioannes Amos Commenius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ioannes-amos-commenius/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Teachers who complain 'These kids have no work ethic' couldn't be farther off the mark. 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