9 Inspiring Quotes about Lifelong Learning

Sarah Mead

Sarah Mead

We're often asked what a lifelong learner looks like. That's a hard question to answer because lifelong learners are involved in many professions and pursue many different purposes. We tell them that it’s someone who has a passion for learning, and who is empowered by that passion to create a life that fulfills their dreams—and sometimes changes the world.

Today we’d like to share quotes from lifelong learners who inspire us. Full disclosure: all the quotes below are from people who are connected to the International Baccalaureate or Montessori programs.

9 Inspiring Quotes from Lifelong Learners:

Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.
- Julia Child

A Montessori graduate, Julia Child was a pioneer in bringing French cuisine to the America dinner table with her book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her PBS cooking shows. Throwing off conventional wisdom, she taught that cooking in a French style could be an enjoyable, everyday process.

If we are to prosper together in our increasingly small world, we must listen to—and learn from each other's stories
- Queen Noor of Jordan
Born in the U.S. and educated at Princeton, Queen Noor of Jordan has dedicated her life to promoting cross-cultural understanding, eradicating poverty and empowering women. When it came time to choose a education for her daughter, Queen Noor chose an International Baccalaurete school.
I'm always open for people saying I'm wrong because most of the time I am.
- Prince William

William Windsor, Duke of Cambridge, has a deep connection with the Montessori education. Both he and wife Catherine attended Montessori schools, his mother Diana Spencer taught at a Montessori preschool before marrying Charles, and the royal family just enrolled son George in a Montessori preschool.

It's only when you risk failure that you discover things. When you play it safe, you're not expressing the utmost of your human experience.
- Lupita Nyong’o

A dual Mexican and Kenyan citizen, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o studied Theatre as one of her electives at an International Baccalaureate school in Nairobi, Kenya. Her IB education helped her get accepted to Hampshire College and eventually the Yale School of Drama.

What do I consider a teacher should be? One who breathes life into knowledge so that it takes new form in progress and civilization.
- Helen Keller, Speech to the National Education Association, 1938

Although she was educated before the Montessori education came to America, Helen Keller called herself a “Product of Montessori” because of the similarities to her education, and both she and Anne Sullivan met with Maria Montessori to express their gratitude for her book. 

Being a nerd really pays off sometimes.
-Ken Jennings

In 2004, International Baccalaureate graduate Ken Jennings amazed the world with a 74 game winning streak on Jeopardy!  After his record-breaking run, Ken Jennings used his passion for learning to write Brainiac: Adventures, in the Curious, Competitive World of Trivia Buffs.

I can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal. That's how I've gotten to where I am.
- Beyonce Knowles

Long before she was a superstar, Beyoncé Knowles was a student at a Montessori elementary school in Houston, Texas. While studying dance at the school, her singing ability was discovered when she hummed along to a song in class. At age seven, Beyonce beat students over twice her at when she sang John Lennon's "Imagine" at a schoolwide talent show. Soon after, she joined an all-girls entertainment group with future Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and LaTavia Roberson.

I am a teacher. It's how I define myself. A good teacher isn't someone who gives the answers out to their kids but is understanding of needs and challenges and gives tools to help other people succeed. That's the way I see myself, so whatever it is that I will do eventually after politics, it'll have to do a lot with teaching.
- Justin Trudeau

The second-youngest Canadian Prime Minister ever, Justin Trudeau began his career as a French and math teacher before launching his political career. He earned his IB Diploma from the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in 1991, the same private school attended by his father, Pierre Trudeau, who served as the 15th Prime Minister of Canada.

There cannot be mental atrophy in any person who continues to observe, to remember what he observes, and to seek answers for his unceasing hows and whys about things.
- Alexander Graham Bell

A speech educator when he was young, famed inventor Alexander Graham Bell became an advocate of the Montessori method after tutoring Helen Keller. He set up the first Montessori classroom in Canada for his two grandchildren in 1912.

Developing a Love of Learning

These nine individuals have more in common than being world-renowned. In each of the quotes above, it’s easy to see the influence the International Baccalaureate and Montessori programs has had on teaching them to be curious and on giving them the confidence to take risks. 

To learn more about how a Montessori and International Baccalaureate education can help your child, schedule a tour or check out our infographic below about how the two educational philosophies combine to create a better education.

What are your favorite quotes about learning? Please share in the comments below.


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Sarah Mead

Sarah Mead

Sarah Mead is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Whitby School. Sarah's mind is a stirring pot of thoughts and ideas on content marketing, blogging, photography, videography, storytelling, social media, and website optimization. Working at Whitby has inspired her to reeducate the world about education, and to spread the passion, wisdom and expertise of the school’s talented faculty and staff.