--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every one of us in Teach for America was…" description: "\"“Every one of us in Teach for America was working so hard and creating results in our classrooms, but if our kids didn’t go on to graduate from college..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png" --- # Every one of us in Teach for America was working so hard… ![“Every one of us in Teach for America was working so hard and creating results in our classrooms, but if our kids didn’t go on to graduate from college, who the hell cared?” quote by Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png) > ““Every one of us in Teach for America was working so hard and creating results in our classrooms, but if our kids didn’t go on to graduate from college, who the hell cared?”” [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hard work in classrooms is insufficient if it doesn't lead to long‑term success for students; systemic outcomes matter more than isolated effort. **In simple terms:** Effort alone isn’t enough without lasting impact. Key Takeaway Focus on sustainable student outcomes. Themes education impact systems accountability Mood reflective determined Type advisory inspirational When to use this quote - school reform - college readiness - community support Key Concepts social mobility long‑term success policy equity Questions to Reflect On - What measures ensure students thrive beyond school? - How can teachers influence systemic change? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ## Related quotes > [Teach For America provides one of the most critical pipelines for bringing new talent into public education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-broad/teach-for-america-provides-one-of-the-most-critical-pipelines-for/) [Eli Broad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-broad/) > [“When she finished, the white teacher, his face streaked with tears, tapped his boss on the shoulder, and like a television cop handing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-beatty/when-she-finished-the-white-teacher-his-face-streaked-with-tears/) [Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-beatty/) > [“(Thank you, Teach for America! Luring away America’s finest minds so that the rest of us can snatch up their jobs.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/thank-you-teach-for-america-luring-away-america-s-finest-minds-so/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [Teach for America has helped us understand what works and what doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscilla-chan/teach-for-america-has-helped-us-understand-what-works-and-what-doesn-t/) [Priscilla Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priscilla-chan/) > [I was on the board of Teach for America. And we transformed a failed public school system in the City of New Orleans, probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-was-on-the-board-of-teach-for-america-and-we-transformed-a-failed/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [National service coupled with education awards, such as AmeriCorps programs or Teach For America, can help young people gain skills and contribute to society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tae-yoo/national-service-coupled-with-education-awards-such-as-americorps/) [Tae Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tae-yoo/) > [I had accepted a job being a math teacher for Teach For America. So, that's what I would have done at least in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-baio/i-had-accepted-a-job-being-a-math-teacher-for-teach-for-america-so/) [Chris Baio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-baio/) > [I have fought to protect those benefits that ensure better salaries for teachers across the Nation such as grants to pay off student loans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/i-have-fought-to-protect-those-benefits-that-ensure-better-salaries/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [I don't think school reform should be motivated by missionary zeal. I think it should be motivated by evidence of what works. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goldstein/i-don-t-think-school-reform-should-be-motivated-by-missionary-zeal-i/) [Dana Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goldstein/) > [I'm working on my Teach for America application!!!! Yall wish me luck, k???](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-simmons/i-m-working-on-my-teach-for-america-application-yall-wish-me-luck-k/) [Vanessa Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-simmons/) > [Quite a few, actually, are involved in education. They have had the same experience Hanna and I had: when they started having their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-greenberg/quite-a-few-actually-are-involved-in-education-they-have-had-the-same/) [Daniel Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-greenberg/) > [And so I think that the idea of America working with other countries to solve problems is good for us, and it is part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/and-so-i-think-that-the-idea-of-america-working-with-other-countries/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [What I care about is whether or not a leader will work with America's working people, whether or not a leader cares about responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-trumka/what-i-care-about-is-whether-or-not-a-leader-will-work-with-america-s/) [Richard Trumka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-trumka/) > [I am very career minded, and I think my personality is more suited to America. I am a working mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/i-am-very-career-minded-and-i-think-my-personality-is-more-suited-to/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [I am always getting messages that I am paid by America, that I work for America, that I am connected with CIA... blah blah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/i-am-always-getting-messages-that-i-am-paid-by-america-that-i-work/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) ## More by Paul Tough > [“Most broadly, they refer to the ability to deal with confusing and unpredictable situations and information. One”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/most-broadly-they-refer-to-the-ability-to-deal-with-confusing-and/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“What matters, instead, is whether we are able to help her develop a very different set of qualities, a list that includes persistence, self-control,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/what-matters-instead-is-whether-we-are-able-to-help-her-develop-a/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“the child of a supermom who gets lots of extra tutoring and one-on-one support is going to do way better than an average well-loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/the-child-of-a-supermom-who-gets-lots-of-extra-tutoring-and-one-on/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“the best way for a young person to build character is for him to attempt something where there is a real and serious possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/the-best-way-for-a-young-person-to-build-character-is-for-him-to/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“The idea of building grit and building self-control is that you get that through failure,” Randolph told me. “And in most highly academic environments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/the-idea-of-building-grit-and-building-self-control-is-that-you-get/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“Tools of the Mind, by contrast, doesn’t focus much on reading and math abilities. Instead, all of its interventions are intended to help children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/tools-of-the-mind-by-contrast-doesn-t-focus-much-on-reading-and-math/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [Optimists, by contrast, look for specific, limited, short-term explanations for bad events, and as a result, in the face of a setback, they’re more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/optimists-by-contrast-look-for-specific-limited-short-term/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [And in most highly academic environments in the United States, no one fails anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/and-in-most-highly-academic-environments-in-the-united-states-no-one/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“a passionate commitment to a single mission and an unswerving dedication to achieve that mission. She decided she needed to name this quality, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/a-passionate-commitment-to-a-single-mission-and-an-unswerving/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“children were no longer receiving enough cognitive stimulation in the first three years of life, in part because of the increasing number of single-parent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/children-were-no-longer-receiving-enough-cognitive-stimulation-in-the/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“We “activate a physiological system that has evolved for responding to acute physical emergencies,” Sapolsky writes, “but we turn it on for months on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/we-activate-a-physiological-system-that-has-evolved-for-responding-to/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [What if the Secret to Success is Failure?,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“Chemistry is not destiny, certainly. But these scientists have demonstrated that the most reliable way to produce an adult who is brave and curious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/chemistry-is-not-destiny-certainly-but-these-scientists-have/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“Researchers, including Michael Meaney and Clancy Blair, have demonstrated that for infants to develop qualities like perseverance and focus, they need a high level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/researchers-including-michael-meaney-and-clancy-blair-have/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“Think about it,” Spiegel said. “Remember, when I ask you a question, you don’t have to answer right away. But you do have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/think-about-it-spiegel-said-remember-when-i-ask-you-a-question-you/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) [Explore all 36 Paul Tough quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) ## 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 > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. 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 > [“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 > [“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": "“Every one of us in Teach for America was working so hard and creating results in our classrooms, but if our kids didn’t go on to graduate from college, who the hell cared?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Tough" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was-working-so-hard-and-creating/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was-working-so-hard-and-creating/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/paul-tough-17766_education_every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was_2580363.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Every one of us in Teach for America was working so hard and creating results in our classrooms, but if our…” — Paul Tough", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Tough", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Every one of us in Teach...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was-working-so-hard-and-creating/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/every-one-of-us-in-teach-for-america-was-working-so-hard-and-creating/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```