--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The number one goal of teachers should be…" description: "\"The number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn.\" — Randy Pausch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png" --- # The number one goal of teachers should be to help students… ![“The number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn.” quote by Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png) > “The number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn.” [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Teaching should focus on equipping students with learning strategies, not just facts. **In simple terms:** Teach learning, not just content. Key Takeaway Emphasize learning how to learn. Themes education learning empowerment Mood encouraging practical Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - classroom - online courses - workshops - coaching Key Concepts metacognition self‑directed learning Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help you learn new skills? - How can teachers model learning? A Different Perspective Students may resist meta‑learning techniques. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-teachers-4047659/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Help Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-students-1701025/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Students Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students-learn/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) [Teachers Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers-help-278936/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) ## Related quotes > [DonorsChoose enables teachers not just to go public with learning needs in classrooms but also to unleash their imaginations about the best ideas to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/donorschoose-enables-teachers-not-just-to-go-public-with-learning/) [Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/) > [Nothing teaches great writing like the very best books do. Yet, good teachers often help students cross that bridge, and I have to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/nothing-teaches-great-writing-like-the-very-best-books-do-yet-good/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [As a teacher, I can help my students see what is working and not working. I can show them certain solutions. I can guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akhil-sharma/as-a-teacher-i-can-help-my-students-see-what-is-working-and-not/) [Akhil Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akhil-sharma/) > [You know, I haven't met an educator that doesn't agree that students learn best in school, and they really want our students to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cardona/you-know-i-haven-t-met-an-educator-that-doesn-t-agree-that-students/) [Miguel Cardona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cardona/) > [We teachers can only help the work going on, as servants wait upon a master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/we-teachers-can-only-help-the-work-going-on-as-servants-wait-upon-a-2/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [A person's school and teachers help lay a strong foundation, which leads to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/a-person-s-school-and-teachers-help-lay-a-strong-foundation-which/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [A residential school also takes cares of the problem of malnourishment and interaction with their peers, and their teachers help build the qualities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiv-nadar/a-residential-school-also-takes-cares-of-the-problem-of/) [Shiv Nadar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiv-nadar/) > [When I grew up in Tanzania, I went to school with kids who were blind and deaf, and we were all in one class.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herieth-paul/when-i-grew-up-in-tanzania-i-went-to-school-with-kids-who-were-blind/) [Herieth Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herieth-paul/) > [“When it comes to learning, most people cripple themselves by running to their teachers for help the instant things get hard. Yet if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-w-robertson/when-it-comes-to-learning-most-people-cripple-themselves-by-running/) [Edward W. Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-w-robertson/) > [Teachers who help to open young minds perform a duty which is as near sacred as I will admit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/teachers-who-help-to-open-young-minds-perform-a-duty-which-is-as-near/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [If we use these common standards as the foundation for better schools, we can give all kids a robust curriculum taught by well prepared,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randi-weingarten/if-we-use-these-common-standards-as-the-foundation-for-better-schools/) [Randi Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randi-weingarten/) > [School success is not predicted by a child's fund of facts or a precocious ability to read as much as by emotional and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/school-success-is-not-predicted-by-a-child-s-fund-of-facts-or-a/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [The true teachers are those who help us think for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarvepalli-radhakrishnan/the-true-teachers-are-those-who-help-us-think-for-ourselves/) [Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarvepalli-radhakrishnan/) > [We teachers can only help the work going on, as servants wait upon a master. We then become witnesses to the development of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/we-teachers-can-only-help-the-work-going-on-as-servants-wait-upon-a/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [It's okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are our teachers -- they help us to learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/it-s-okay-to-make-mistakes-mistakes-are-our-teachers-they-help-us-to/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) ## More by Randy Pausch > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [Apologies are not pass/fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/apologies-are-not-pass-fail/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [When you're frustrated with people, when they've made you angry, it just may be because you haven't given them enough time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/when-you-re-frustrated-with-people-when-they-ve-made-you-angry-it/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [I was hugely impressed... was the ultimate example of a man who knew what he didn't know, was perfectly willing to admit it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/i-was-hugely-impressed-was-the-ultimate-example-of-a-man-who-knew/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [There's nothing about my life that I would have changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/there-s-nothing-about-my-life-that-i-would-have-changed/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [Complaining does not work as a strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/complaining-does-not-work-as-a-strategy/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [“If other people owe you an apology, and your words of apology to them are proper and heartfelt, you still may not hear from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/if-other-people-owe-you-an-apology-and-your-words-of-apology-to-them/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [“The brick walls are there for a reason. they're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-brick-walls-are-there-for-a-reason-they-re-not-there-to-keep-us/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [People are more important than things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/people-are-more-important-than-things/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [Anyone who knows me well will tell you that arrogance is one of my flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/anyone-who-knows-me-well-will-tell-you-that-arrogance-is-one-of-my/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [When you do the right thing, good stuff has a way of happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/when-you-do-the-right-thing-good-stuff-has-a-way-of-happening/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [I don't believe in the no-win scenario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/i-don-t-believe-in-the-no-win-scenario/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [Chemo days make me tired, though it's hard to say that's because of the chemo when you have kids who have inherited their dad's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/chemo-days-make-me-tired-though-it-s-hard-to-say-that-s-because-of/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [And even though I did not reach the National Football League, I sometimes think I got more from pursuing that dream, and not accomplishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/and-even-though-i-did-not-reach-the-national-football-league-i/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [there should be some lessons learned and how you can use the stuff you hear today to achieve your dreams or enable the dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/there-should-be-some-lessons-learned-and-how-you-can-use-the-stuff/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Explore all 347 Randy Pausch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) ## 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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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](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": "The number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Randy Pausch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-be-to-help-students-learn-how/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-be-to-help-students-learn-how/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6b/randy-pausch-842_education_the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-b_1267074.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn.” — Randy Pausch", "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": "Randy Pausch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The number one goal of teachers...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-be-to-help-students-learn-how/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-number-one-goal-of-teachers-should-be-to-help-students-learn-how/#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 } } ] } ```