“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism” has been credited to Colleen Wilcox, a Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools for 14 years. It’s not known when Wilcox said the remark, but she has been credited for it since at least 1997.
Teaching is said to be an “act of optimism” because the results are measured in the future (and are often unknown to the teacher).
Google Books
It’s Not about Math, It’s about Life
By Kari Simmons Kling
Kent, WA: Books for Educators
1997
Pg. 62:
“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.”—Colleen Wilcox
Google Books
Handle with Care:
The Emotional Intelligence Activity Book
By Joshua M. Freedman
San Mateo, CA: Six Seconds
1997/1998
Pg. ?:
“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” — Colleen Wilcox
The TLT Group (Teaching, Learning and Technology)
THROUGH A DARK WOOD
Susan Saltrick
Conference on Learning Communities
University of Miami
1/9/98
(...)
These words remind me that teaching is a supreme act of optimism. Teaching requires hope in some larger purpose, faith in ourselves and our society, and love for our children—all of them. Learning requires hope in one’s own future, and faith in one’s ability to get there, and love, in the form of patience, to sustain the effort.
8 December 1998. Aberdeen (SD) American News, pg. 7A, right masthead:
“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.”
Colleen Wilcox
Ontario
Remarks By Dalton McGuinty, Premier Of Ontario On Celebrating World Teachers’ Day Statement to the Legislative Assembly
October 5, 2006 11:32 AM
(...)
It’s been said that teaching is the greatest act of optimism. A cynic cannot be a great teacher, because cynicism is corrosive, and great teachers are creative.
Douglas (AZ) Dispatch
Getting the star treatment
By Cindy Skalsky/Wick News Service
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, April 5, 2007 6:53 PM MDT
(...)
“I still don’t like milk,” Nicodemus said. “But all the times teachers pat you on the back are also what students remember. Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.”
Google Books
Teachers: Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing
2008
Pg. 71:
Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.
Colleen Wilcox
Google Books<,i>
1001 Smartest Things Teachers Ever Said
1001 Smartest Things Teachers Ever Said
By Randy Howe
Guilford, CT: The Globe Pequot Press
2010
Pg. 242:
Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.—Colleen Wilcox, educator
Los Gatos (CA) Patch
Ex-County School Boss Colleen Wilcox Considers Run for Los Gatos Council
Seasoned educator and administrator joins the race with Vice Mayor Barbara Spector and Planning Commissioner Marcia Jensen for two open seats on government body.
By Sheila Sanchez
August 14, 2012
Dr. Colleen Wilcox, who served as a superintendent of schools for 20 years - most recently as the Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools for 14 years - announced today she’s “strongly considering” a run for the Los Gatos Town Council.