Dr. Donna Burke Quotes in Teachers (1984)

Dr. Donna Burke: Just what the hell are you guys running here, a g**d*** zoo? I'm in the middle of a fundraiser breakfast when I'm informed that your school psychologist has flipped out in the middle of your g**d*** office. And, then I get here and find out that there has been a stabbing, and if that's not enough, one of your kids tries to eat one of your g**d*** teachers. Mr. Rubell, what the hell do you call that?

Roger Rubell: Monday.

Alex Jurel: [determined] I'm not going to resign, Roger.

Dr. Donna Burke: [angry] You're finished! You're out!

Alex Jurel: Ah hell, Burke! I'm going to tell you something. I haven't even started! If you try and fire me, I'm going to be suing you.

Roger Rubell: What's that going to solve, Alex?

Alex Jurel: I don't know, Roger - let's try and find out. The damn school wasn't built for us, Roger. I wasn't built for your unions, your lawyers and all your other institutions. It was built for the kids! They're not here for us, we're here for them. That's what it's about: kids!

Roger Rubell: Alex, half of them aren't even coming back after the alarm.

Alex Jurel: But half will. I think they're worth it.

[kids cheer him]

Dr. Donna Burke: Jurel! You're crazy, you know that?

Alex Jurel: What can I say? I'm a teacher!

[grins at the kids]

Alex Jurel: I'm a teacher!

Dr. Donna Burke: We, the board members present, think that you should tender your resignation.

Alex Jurel: My resignation? What for?

Dr. Donna Burke: Because, Mr. Jurel, no one here wants to go through the pain of firing you.