"And what did YOU learn today?"

One of the rock star teachers with whom I work shared this quote by Thomas Guskey:

"I often suggest to principals that they stand outside of school at the end of the day when students are leaving. As they walk by, that principal ought to stop students randomly and ask, 'Tell me, what did you learn today?' If the student says, 'Nothing,' the principal ought to send them right back into the building. That child just spent 6 hours in a learning environment. Is it too much to expect that each child should have at least one successful learning experience each day?' I don't think so!

I also suggest to principals that they stand at the teachers' parking lot on Friday afternoon. As teachers walk by, the principal ought to stop them randomly and ask, 'What did you learn this week as a teacher?' If the teacher says, 'Nothing,' the principal ought to send that teacher right back into the building, too. That teacher just spent a week in a learning environment as well."

Excuse me while I go look at my calendar to see what I'm doing at 4:00 next Friday afternoon....