“It’s not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted”

“It is not what is poured into a student but what is planted that counts” is a saying that was cited in several newspapers in December 1958 and January 1959. Authorship is unknown.
 
The saying has been credited to Linda Conway since the 1990s, but this is probably because it was included in her book, A Teacher Is Better Than Two Books (1992).
 
   
10 January 1955, The Record-Argus (Greenville, PA), pg. 7, col. 1:
Nutrition counts whether it is in food for mind or body. Either grows not so much by what is poured in as by what is digested.
 
30 December 1958, Pasadena (CA) Independent, “Quotes,” pg. 7, col. 6:
It is not what is poured into a student but what is planted that counts.—Quote.
 
1 January 1959, Sioux County Capital (Orange County, IA), pg. 8, col. 2 ad:
Education—It is not what is poured into a student but what is planted that counts.
(Int Veldt Insurance Agency.—ed.)
 
24 March 1964, Creston (IA) News Advertiser, “Society and Club News,” pg. 4, col. 3:
Mrs. Schofield concluded her remarks with a quotation from Eugene P. Bertin,  “It is not what is poured into the student, but what is planted that counts,” and.with an appropriate bit of original poetry.
 
Google Books
Those Good Years at Wyoming U.
By Ralph E. McWhinnie
Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming
1966 [©1965]
Pg. 294:
There is a saying: “It is not what is poured into a student but what is planted that counts.”
 
Google Books
14,000 Quips & Quotes:
For Speakers, Writers, Editors, Preachers, and Teachers
By E. C. McKenzie
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House
1990, ©1980
Pg. ?:
It’s not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted.
 
OCLC WorldCat record
A teacher is better than two books
Author: Linda Conway
Publisher: Glendale Heights, Ill. : Great Quotations, ©1992.
Edition/Format:   Print book : English
 
Google Books
More Quick Hits:
Successful Strategies by Award-winning Teachers
Edited by S. Holly Stocking
Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press
1998
Pg. 67:
It’s not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted.
Linda Conway
 
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“It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted.” -Linda Conway
9:10 AM - 15 Jun 2015