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Popularity is given to you, and if you think that just because you're really popular you're a better person, it could be a real crash when you find the popularity goes down.

My priorities are making sure we reduce class size and close the achievement gap.

It would be nice if we could all agree to this proposition: popularity is not the same as achievement.

Popularity isn't my compass. Unless it can help one to act, to be understood... that's what counts.

There are three elements to perceived popularity. A student has to be visible, recognizable and influential.

What's funny is that the idea of popularity - even the use of the word 'popular' - is something that had been mostly absent from my life since junior high. In fact, the hallmark of life after junior high seemed to be the shedding of popularity as a central concern.

I am a person who always tries not to be easily influenced by position or achievement. I thank God for the fact that I can share more kindness and a good quality of life through the popularity. Not for the popularity itself.

I've never had issues with popularity. I was always a popular guy... I've always had friends and loved ones and everything, so it wasn't like, 'Oh man, I gotta fill some void that was left by high school.' I had a great high-school experience.

Popularity is very inconsistent. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. It usually just comes in waves.