--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a…" description: "\"When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a responsibility when I was teaching to raise the bar of conversation in my classroom. And with my own students,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png" --- # When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a responsibility… ![“When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a responsibility when I was teaching to raise the bar of conversation in my classroom. And with my own students, I refused to let them use the phrase "I like" or "I don't like" when we were engaged in a critique.” quote by Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png) > “When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a responsibility when I was teaching to raise the bar of conversation in my classroom. And with my own students, I refused to let them use the phrase "I like" or "I don't like" when we were engaged in a critique.” [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Educators should elevate classroom language, avoiding vague expressions to foster deeper critique. **In simple terms:** Raise conversational standards. Key Takeaway Encourage precise dialogue. Themes education communication critical thinking Mood inspirational educational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - high school classrooms - writing workshops - professional training Key Concepts pedagogy linguistics mindset Questions to Reflect On - How to motivate students to adopt new vocabulary? - What benefits arise from precise language? A Different Perspective Students may resist stricter language rules. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Classroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classroom/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critique/) [Raising the bar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raising-the-bar/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Vocabulary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vocabulary/) ## Related quotes > [I want to say to anyone who works in a drone workplace, raise the bar! There's no reason why you have to dress to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/i-want-to-say-to-anyone-who-works-in-a-drone-workplace-raise-the-bar/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [Nowhere have I felt so much awesome responsibility than when teaching my daughter that there is no wrong way to be herself - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-bidot/nowhere-have-i-felt-so-much-awesome-responsibility-than-when-teaching/) [Denise Bidot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-bidot/) > [We only get what we believe that we deserve. Raise the bar, raise your standards and you will receive a better outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-brown/we-only-get-what-we-believe-that-we-deserve-raise-the-bar-raise-your/) [Joel Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-brown/) > [Idea is to constantly raise the bar, push the boundaries. Fitness is ultimately a journey, not a destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gul-panag/idea-is-to-constantly-raise-the-bar-push-the-boundaries-fitness-is/) Gul Panag > [I don't think we have any choice. I think we have an obligation to change the rules, to raise the bar, to play a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-don-t-think-we-have-any-choice-i-think-we-have-an-obligation-to/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I also feel like the kinds of jobs I want right now - I consider them aspirational. I want to raise the bar for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-also-feel-like-the-kinds-of-jobs-i-want-right-now-i-consider-them/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [I am of the generation of writers who can get instant feedback from readers within hours of publication. The fan forum is extraordinary -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scott/i-am-of-the-generation-of-writers-who-can-get-instant-feedback-from/) [Michael Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scott/) > [If you're the band leader you ask more of yourself than anyone else, so they tend to raise the bar for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-hersh/if-you-re-the-band-leader-you-ask-more-of-yourself-than-anyone-else/) [Kristin Hersh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-hersh/) > [I'm always inspired by people who raise the bar, whether in their field of work, parenthood, or giving back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-cameron/i-m-always-inspired-by-people-who-raise-the-bar-whether-in-their/) [Candace Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-cameron/) > [We've been working on the visual effects for a year, so we're trying to raise the bar. Stuff will absolutely come out at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-w-s-anderson/we-ve-been-working-on-the-visual-effects-for-a-year-so-we-re-trying/) [Paul W. S. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-w-s-anderson/) > [I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary. Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-am-glad-to-welcome-my-friend-rand-paul-into-the-2016-gop-primary/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [If you don't raise the bar, how will you ever know your potential?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/if-you-don-t-raise-the-bar-how-will-you-ever-know-your-potential/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [A twinge of wonderment that might charm the most cynical of New York dance fans…They raise the bar, and then they jump over it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-dunning/a-twinge-of-wonderment-that-might-charm-the-most-cynical-of-new-york/) [Jennifer Dunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-dunning/) > [A strong accountability system needs to broaden, not narrow, the curriculum. That cannot happen if you only have accountability without adequate school funding. Until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gelber/a-strong-accountability-system-needs-to-broaden-not-narrow-the/) [Dan Gelber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-gelber/) > [I can't raise the bar of others if I haven't raised the bar for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-can-t-raise-the-bar-of-others-if-i-haven-t-raised-the-bar-for-myself/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More by Tim Gunn > [We shop out of boredom, for release, for excitement, for a sense of achievement, for a sense of control over our unruly existences. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/we-shop-out-of-boredom-for-release-for-excitement-for-a-sense-of/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [And I'm the first one to tell people to break the rules. But you can only break the rules once you know what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/and-i-m-the-first-one-to-tell-people-to-break-the-rules-but-you-can/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [I learned quickly that if the student’s perception is that you’re not listening to them, and not understanding them, they discredit you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/i-learned-quickly-that-if-the-student-s-perception-is-that-you-re-not/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [Success needs to be measured according to the ambitions and the resources of each designer. And many aren't interested in being a megabrand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/success-needs-to-be-measured-according-to-the-ambitions-and-the/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [But I will add, there's one thing I will not do, ever: I will never talk to you about things you cannot change. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/but-i-will-add-there-s-one-thing-i-will-not-do-ever-i-will-never-talk/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [Mood has a scuba section? Who knew?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/mood-has-a-scuba-section-who-knew/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [I would say this to my students all the time, it's about 30% you as the teacher and 70% about them. They tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/i-would-say-this-to-my-students-all-the-time-it-s-about-30-you-as-the/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [I always say I have a Socratic approach to most things that I do. I pummel people with questions, because I need to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/i-always-say-i-have-a-socratic-approach-to-most-things-that-i-do-i/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [If I had to choose a single destination where I'd be held captive for the rest of my time in New York, I’d choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/if-i-had-to-choose-a-single-destination-where-i-d-be-held-captive-for/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [If I could predict the trends, they would already be there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/if-i-could-predict-the-trends-they-would-already-be-there/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [In a manner of speaking. I certainly never want to lose my voice as an educator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/in-a-manner-of-speaking-i-certainly-never-want-to-lose-my-voice-as-an/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [Everyone has a best feature, so find clothes and accessories to accentuate those, whether it’s your shoulders or your long legs!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/everyone-has-a-best-feature-so-find-clothes-and-accessories-to/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [I have to have my coffee. I probably have three cups a day, but only before noon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/i-have-to-have-my-coffee-i-probably-have-three-cups-a-day-but-only/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [Most people wear clothing that is too big or too small for them. And "oversized" is the downfall for most of us. We have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/most-people-wear-clothing-that-is-too-big-or-too-small-for-them-and/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) > [We all had to search for more words to describe things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/we-all-had-to-search-for-more-words-to-describe-things/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) [Explore all 187 Tim Gunn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) ## More Bars quotes > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [The dark ages still reign over all humanity, and the depth and persistence of this domination are only now becoming clear. This Dark Ages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/the-dark-ages-still-reign-over-all-humanity-and-the-depth-and/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [It wasn't really touching to be young; it was touching not to be young, because you had less of life left. Touching to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-macaulay/it-wasn-t-really-touching-to-be-young-it-was-touching-not-to-be-young/) [Rose Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-macaulay/) > [Your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better; 'Tis only at the bar, and in the dungeon, That wise men know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/your-thief-looks-exactly-like-the-rest-or-rather-better-tis-only-at/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [While traveling, I love granola bars, trail mix nuts, dry cereal and fruit for on-the-go snacks. I also try and start the day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-rampone/while-traveling-i-love-granola-bars-trail-mix-nuts-dry-cereal-and/) [Christie Rampone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-rampone/) > [3 people get stranded on a remote Island A Banker, a Daily Mail reader & an Asylum seeker All they have to eat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-brookmyre/3-people-get-stranded-on-a-remote-island-a-banker-a-daily-mail-reader/) [Christopher Brookmyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-brookmyre/) > [Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house unless they have a well-stocked bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/thou-shalt-not-covet-thy-neighbor-s-house-unless-they-have-a-well/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [Meanwhile after failing the bar twice, I knew some people in New York and moved here in August '71.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-quine/meanwhile-after-failing-the-bar-twice-i-knew-some-people-in-new-york/) [Robert Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-quine/) > [If you look at coffee, tea, food and juice, we think there are inherent opportunities. If you look at health bars or grab-and-go products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-you-look-at-coffee-tea-food-and-juice-we-think-there-are-inherent/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I bet a guy at a bar 50 bucks that I was more dysfunctional than he was. He raped me. So I tipped him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-a-guy-at-a-bar-50-bucks-that-i-was-more-dysfunctional-than-he/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I closed my own jazz bar so I could be a man who can write novels as I like. I was pleased about that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-closed-my-own-jazz-bar-so-i-could-be-a-man-who-can-write-novels-as/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [My parents were Orthodox Jews but not very regular Orthodox Jews. I was bar mitzvahed and all that. But God was hardly ever mentioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-hentoff/my-parents-were-orthodox-jews-but-not-very-regular-orthodox-jews-i/) [Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-hentoff/) > [I know a lot about Canadian politics. I lived in Canadian bars for six years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/i-know-a-lot-about-canadian-politics-i-lived-in-canadian-bars-for-six/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [History is the heavy traffic that prevents us from crossing the road. We're not especially interested in what it consists of. We wait, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mal-peet/history-is-the-heavy-traffic-that-prevents-us-from-crossing-the-road/) [Mal Peet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mal-peet/) Browse all 1,768 Bars quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a responsibility when I was teaching to raise the bar of conversation in my classroom. And with my own students, I refused to let them use the phrase \"I like\" or \"I don't like\" when we were engaged in a critique.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tim Gunn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a-responsibility-when-i-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bars" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a-responsibility-when-i-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/tim-gunn-2085_bars_when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a_2684812.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When it comes to my vocabulary, I felt a responsibility when I was teaching to raise the bar of conversation…” — Tim Gunn", "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": "Tim Gunn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When it comes to my vocabulary,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a-responsibility-when-i-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/when-it-comes-to-my-vocabulary-i-felt-a-responsibility-when-i-was/#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 } } ] } ```