Yale places great stress on undergraduate and graduate teaching. I like teaching, and I do a lot of it.

In this remark Tobin aligns his professional identity with Yale’s institutional self-image: a research university that also prizes direct instruction of students. The first sentence frames teaching as a core value rather than a secondary duty; the second personalizes that value, presenting teaching as something he enjoys and actively practices. Implicitly, the quote pushes back against the stereotype of the eminent economist detached from the classroom, suggesting that intellectual leadership includes mentoring and pedagogy. It also signals a reciprocal fit—Yale’s expectations match Tobin’s preferences—casting teaching not as an obligation but as a chosen, meaningful part of scholarly life.