Steven Harper quotes from Boston Public

Steven Harper

We do not help kids one by one here. Too many of them, too few of us. We serve masses, hoping more of them make it than don't. And our best results, like it or not, come with policy.

"Dragon Lady"? Is that what they call me?

Steven Harper

Only when you're in the room.

Lauren Davis

Three siblings. Two are doctors, the other's an investment banker. And to my parents, I'm the one who didn't make anything of herself. I can still hear my father's words: "What a waste, Lauren. You are so smart. You could actually be somebody." Something we battle every day is disrespect. We get it from the kids because it comes from the parents. And look at what we make!

Steven Harper

You know what your problem is, Lauren? You don't have any idea how powerful you are. Things you say in that classroom some of those kids are going to remember fifty years from now, even if you've forgotten by the sound of the next bell. Do you like being a teacher?

Lauren Davis

I love it.

Steven Harper

Then what are you complaining about?

Steven

Last day of school before vacation. What's the word for it?

Scott

Halleluia.

Steven Harper

Why are you here?

Harvey Lipschultz

Because vice-president "Hitler" has ordered me to stay here.

Steven

It doesn't offend you when he says it's his job to get your black ass into college?

Not really.

Steven

Why not?

Because he will. That man will get my black ass into college.

Marla

(about Harvey) Is he a nut? A big one. A racist? Probably. But he doesn't come from hate and the kids know that.

Steven

Well, a lot of bigotry here does come from hate, Marla, and his behavior helps foster it, even if it's unintentional. There's no such thing as a benign bigot.

Steven

Did you talk to Tina?

Scott

No, I thought I should perhaps bring you in on it since they think of me as a conservative fascist prude.

Steven

I understand you've had a tragedy with one of your partners and these aren't the happiest of times, but if you think you can intimidate me, not gonna happen.

You project nicely. You don't need to be in my face, but while you're here, look into my eyes. Do I look scared? And by the way, you're not better looking up close.

All right, enough with the chest thumping.

Scott

Teaching is my calling, Steven, but it's never been my dream. Dreams are made of sterner stuff.

Steven

That's ambition.

Scott

Up there, that's a dream. And this experience, I think, will only make conspicuous how... how my life is utterly without song, I guess.

Lauren

Steven, have you lost your mind?

Steven

Why does that question keep popping up?

Harvey

Steven.

Steven

What?

Harvey

I resign.

Steven

Why?

Harvey

I'm a fossil.

Harry

You're just figuring that out?

Steven

Harry!

Steven

I'm not taking her side.

Then what are you doing?

Steven

I'm covering my gigantic ass.

Steven

I can't do it. I got a mother wantin' me to fumigate buses. I got one teacher keepin' secrets that should get him fired, and another teacher who's an old senile bigot who definitely should be fired. I got a student teaching a course for which I'm going to get my ass dragged in front of the school committee, and another teacher appearing naked on a student web site. And I hear you're walkin' around suspending everybody in your path. Is that true?

Scott

It is. It's been a good day.

Scott Guber

Do you know who Dimitri Schostakovich is?

Steven Harper

Scott, I've told you. I like Basketball. I don't really follow Hockey.