The Tom Schimmer Podcast

In Don't @ Me (2:06), Tom addresses the current obsession with false dichotomies and asserts that one in education has to stop. Then, Tom is joined by Catlin Tucker (17:05), author, speaker, leader, and expert in Blended Learning to discuss the ways teachers can efficiently and effectively implement a variety of models. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:05:45), Tom highlights why examining standard...

In Don't @ Me (2:01), Tom tells the story of Father Phil and why he was responsible for Tom choosing education as a career. Then, Tom is joined by LaVonna Roth (16:26), Founder and Lead Presenter at IGNITE your S.H.I.N.E.™ for a discussion about student strengths, SEL, and neuroscience. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:08:36), Tom, in part 2, explores homework and suggests six important questions...

In Don't @ Me (1:50), Tom discusses how, by taking a balanced approach to issues or topics, people end up debating the extreme positions on both sides. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa (18:07) to discuss his book "Culturally Responsive School Leadership" and racial equity, in general. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:21:48), Tom begins the first of two parts on the topic of homework.  ...

In Don't @ Me (2:37), Tom, as a counter to last week, identifies the most efficient and effective happiness booster. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Lee Ann Jung (14:37) to discuss sound assessment practices within the Universal Design for Learning framework. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:07:02), Tom describes five guidelines for schools as they separate academic achievement from the most essential...

In Don't @ Me (2:16), Tom identifies the most efficient and effective happiness killer. Then (15:11) hear how the first 24 guests have answered the question, "What's your definition of success?" Finally, in Assessment Corner (37:02), Tom describes why conversations about a new vision for university transcripts need to be thought through in terms of plausibility for the end-users; that visions that...

In Don't @ Me (1:24), Tom takes aim at the relentlessly outraged and details why we are all at risk of losing all perspective, resiliency, individuality, & common-sense. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Matt Townsley (15:30) to discuss the implementation of standards-based grading at the Secondary level. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:11:40), Tom (continuing from last week's episode) uses Dr. John Kot...

In Don't @ Me (2:45), Tom examines the question of why it's so hard for us to be happy for others. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Peter DeWitt (17:38) to discuss what it means to be an instructional leader. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:19:07), Tom uses Dr. John Kotter's research to explore the important phases necessary to transform the assessment & grading culture of a school.  Follow Peter DeWit...

In Don't @ Me (3:51), Tom outlines the challenges we face when deciding whether someone is defending themselves or being defensive. Then, Tom is joined by Alexa Schmid (16:42), Middle School Principal at the International School of Kenya, to discuss the findings of her doctoral research on Justice, Equity, and Cultural Competence in International Education. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:12:35),...

In Don't @ Me (2:13), Tom highlights the psychological phenomenon of "introspection illusion" (via Dr. Emily Pronin) and talks about its impact on both our disagreements with colleagues and on student self-reflection. Then, Tom is joined by Natalie Conway (13:19) to discuss online learning and what it takes to create a truly rich experience for online learners. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:04:...

In this bonus episode, Tom is joined by Tom Guskey to discuss the recent decision by the Biden Administration to mandate that standardized tests proceed this spring. The conversation focuses on this acute decision and standardized tests in general. Tom Guskey on Twitter: @tguskey Tom Guskey's website: www.tguskey.com   Grading from the Inside Out (March 16 & 23, 2021) Achieve Virtual Insitute (Aug...

In Don't @ Me (2:05) Tom takes aim at those who (wrongly) use the terms like "EduSpeak" or "Buzzword" to refer to important, research-validated processes. Then, Tom is joined by Trevor MacKenzie (10:02) to discuss inquiry-based learning and how to bring more student agency to the classroom. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:10:03), Tom explores the 4 directions and the 2 dimensions of student self-...

In Don't @ Me (1:34) Tom shares his thoughts on why (now more than ever) people use labels to undercut the credibility of those with whom they disagree. Then, Tom is joined by Starr Sackstein (10:48) to discuss her assessment journey and her quest to go "gradeless." Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:05:24), Tom explores when multiple-choice is an appropriate assessment method and how to develop a q...

In Don't @ Me (6:18) Tom examines the strange relationship some educators have with research and suggests that our experience be used to add the nuances of implementation. Then, Tom is joined by Jay McTighe (15:15) to discuss "Designing Authentic Performance Tasks and Projects." Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:20:30), Tom explores how teachers can assess creativity without stifling creativity and...

In Don't @ Me (2:50) Tom explains why he's done talking about the "COVID learning loss" and why rich, engaging opportunities now are all students need going forward; that "catching-up" is a manufactured narrative. Then Tom is joined by Shauna Brown (11:48) who is an Instructional Leader, Consultant, Educator, and Entrepreneur; the discussion centers on racial equity in schools and society, as well...

In Don't @ Me (1:58) Tom explores the psychological motives behind why some people believe strongly in conspiracy theories and potentially how to support those who realize the theories were wrong. Then, in the interview (14:08), Tom is joined by author, speaker, and consultant Katie Novak to discuss the impact of Universal Design for Learning. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:09:36), Tom, in part...

In Don't @ Me (2:48) Tom asserts that now is the time for teachers to reclaim their professional judgment; however, to do so, he also asserts that teachers must be prepared for the responsibilities that come with it. Then, in the interview (15:14), Tom is joined by author, speaker, and consultant Rick Wormeli to discuss the events of January 6, as well as a number of different current (and future)...

In Don't @ Me (2:35), in the wake of the events in Washington, DC on January 6, Tom makes the case for why we need to rehumanize our human connections. Then, in the interview (15:42), Tom is joined by Canadian author, speaker, and consultant Tom Hierck to discuss student behavior and school culture. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:01:39), Tom addresses a question about eliminating "grading" and w...

In Don't @ Me (4:28), Tom celebrates educators and their incredible work over the first half of this school year. Then, in a solo segment (15:42), Tom highlights five leadership lessons he has learned through his personal experience as a school-based and district-level leader. Finally, in Assessment Corner (48:20), Tom addresses a question about assessing collaboration and whether there is any pla...

In Don't @ Me (4:48), Tom explores the feeling of gratitude and how it can actually impact you and your brain; he also expresses his gratitude for you, the listening audience. In the Interview (15:19), Tom is joined by Erik Francis to discuss what makes for a good question and how to effectively use Depth of Knowledge (DOK) in planning. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:25:00), Tom addresses the pr...

In Don't @ Me (4:09), Tom takes aim at the prevalence of hyperbole, especially on social media, and why it actually weakens one's argument. In the Interview (16:47), Tom is joined by his close friend and colleague Cassandra Erkens to discuss how Collaborative Common Assessments maximize the opportunity for student achievement and engineer authentic professional learning opportunities for teachers....

In Don't @ Me (3:32), Tom makes the case for why educators need to push themselves with trying new strategies and practices, and why getting it wrong is a positive. In The Interview (13:29), Tom is joined by Tara Barton, Founder and Director of Serve Learn (Melbourne, Australia), to discuss what a robust Service Learning model looks like in schools and why it's essential for developing 21st-centur...

In Don't @ Me (4:29) Tom asserts that leaders must find their charisma, develop their charisma, so they can lead with their charisma. Then, Tom is joined by Bill Ferriter (18:18), a middle school science teacher from North Carolina, to discuss teaching strategies for a remote or hybrid learning model. In Assessment Corner (1:31:22), Tom outlines a process for how teachers can plan with precision f...

In Don't @Me (4:58) Tom explores the single biggest challenge people face when they need to gain buy-in for a good idea. Then, Tom is joined by Katie Martin (16:54) to discuss her book "Learner-Centered Innovation" and what it means to empower students to explore and learn how to make an impact on the world. In the News (1:07:16) includes a reflection on all of the stories surrounding Covid-19. In...

In Don't @ Me (3:48), Tom wonders aloud about what has happened to the debate of ideas and why all debate seems to get so personal so quickly. Then, Tom is joined by Canadian assessment author, speaker, and consultant Katie White (18:04) where they explore the soft and hard edges of assessment and why assessment is the key to everyday creativity. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:15:15) Tom revisit...

In Don't @ Me (3:29), Tom takes aim at the curriculum reform efforts in the province of Alberta. Then, Tom is joined by Josh Ogilvie (12:49), PHE Department Head at Burnaby South Secondary School to discuss PHE during the pandemic as well as the evolution of PHE programs in general. In Assessment Corner (1:07:44), Tom explores the question: What's the best rubric to use? Finally, in Tweets of the...