The Tom Schimmer Podcast

In this episode, Tom and Natalie discuss the "Grading Trap," which inadvertently occurs when traditional grading practices - things like zeros for missing work, late penalties, and mixing behavior with academic performance - end up working against learning instead of supporting it.  The "Grading Trap" can inadvertently sabotage great teaching. Tom and Natalie close the episode with ways that teach...

In this episode, Tom and Natalie discuss three quick assessment wins. Each "win" falls within a specific aspect of assessment. Formative: Engineer conversations Summative: Reorganize the gradebook. Student Agency: Feedback through consent     PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS JAN. 24-25 (Tom) NESA Educators Training Institute   Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.  FEB. 6-7 (Natalie) GFIO 2-Day Workshop   Orlando, FL.  F...

In this episode, Tom and Natalie discuss what makes a good rubric. They discuss the art and science of rubrics and what constitutes a high-quality rubric. They also discuss the differences between analytic, holistic, and single-point rubrics.     UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING JAN. 24-25 (Tom) NESA Educators Training Institute   Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.  FEB. 6-7 (Natalie) GFIO 2-Day Workshop   Orlando,...

In this episode, Tom and Natalie ask, "Are Common Assessments Worth It?" Spoiler alert: they are, as long as certain fundamentals and conditions are adhered to. In particular, when common assessments are used formatively they can be a powerful process for enhanced learning for students and teachers!     UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium New Orleans, LA     RECENT...

In this episode, Tom and Natalie explore the topic of feedback. They discuss it as both simple and complex. It's simple because there is unanimous agreement in academia about the role feedback plays in increasing student learning. It's complex because there are many contributing factors that lead to feedback potentially being ineffective.   In the end, Tom & Nat leave you with six guidelines f...

In this episode of Assess THAT, Tom and Nat discuss how educators can quiet the grading noise. Whether it be the traditional graders on one side or the undgraders on the other, many educators can find themselves feeling uncertain about how to respond.   While the extreme positions often take center stage, especially online, it is the balanced positions that are more thoughtful, grounded, and helpf...

In this first episode of Assess THAT, Tom & Nat discuss the five reasons assessment must still be an essential part of every educator's professional learning plan.     UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Sep. 23-24: GFIO 2-Day (Tom) Madison, WI Sep. 25-26: SBLA 2-Day (Tom) Madison, WI Sep. 30-Oct. 1: GFIO 2-Day (Natalie) Sacramento, CA Oct. 17-19: NESA Fall Leadership Conference (Tom) Dubai, U.A.E....

Introducing Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso will be your go-to podcast for everything assessment. From formative assessment to feedback to grading, Tom and Natalie will share their expertise and experience to help you grow your assessment literacy to bring about a transformation within your classroom, your school, or even your district.   Beginning on September...

MARCH 2022: Tom was joined by Ken Williams, author of Ruthless Equity and  Starting a Movement     Ken on X: @unfoldthesoul Ken on Instagram: @unfoldthesoul Ken on Facebook: Unfold The Soul Ken on LinkedIn: Kenneth C. Williams Ken on YouTube:  Unfold The Soul Ken's Website: www.unfoldthesoul.com "Bless His Heat" Leadership Podcast   UYES PODCAST   UYES podcast link   NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining...

OCTOBER 2022: Tom was joined by Dr. John Hattie for a conversation about his Visible Learning research.   Visible Learning Website: www.visible-learning.org Hattie Foundation Website: www.hattieff.org   UYES PODCAST   UYES podcast link   NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW)   "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"   "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment th...

MAY 2021: Tom was joined by Dr. Yvette Jackson, author of Pedagogy of Confidence, to discuss the equity issue surrounding Special Education and Gifted programs.   Yvette Jackson does not have an active social media presence. Email Yvette Jackson: DRJNUA@aol.com National Urban Alliance: www.nuatc.org     UYES PODCAST   UYES podcast link   NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW)...

Are you feeling stifled in your job? Have you gone from being celebrated to being the problem? Are you ready to become your boss and finally live the life you were always meant for? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, then this new podcast from Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso is for you! In each episode, Tom & Nat want to share their wisdom & experiences of leaving the...

JUNE 2022: Tom was joined by author Zaretta Hammond to discuss her 2015 book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain." Zaretta on X: @Ready4rigor Zaretta on Instagram: @crtandthebrain Zaretta on Facebook:  CRTandtheBrain Zaretta on LinkedIn:  Zaretta Hammond Zaretta’s Website: www.crtandthebrain.com   UYES PODCAST   UYES podcast link   NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining Student Accountability" (...

In this episode, Tom shares where he has been and why it has been six months since his last episode. Then (4:54) Tom is joined by his good friend and colleague Paula Maeker to discuss the most promising practices in Literacy. Finally, Tom shares the trailer (52:55) for a new business/podcast venture called "UYES with Tom & Nat!" It's a podcast that helps stifled employees Unleash their Entrepr...

In the Mindset Moment (2:44), Tom talks about why it is essential to elevate your moments. Elevating the little things will make your life feel elevated. Then (8:00) Tom is joined by teacher and former student Ashley Aoki to discuss "Spirals of Inquiry." Finally, in Assessment Corner (56:34), Tom discusses what we need to examine and do when students feel a disproportionate amount of pressure when...

In this bonus crossover episode, Tom is joined by co-author Natalie Vardabasso to discuss their upcoming book "Rehumanizing Assessment through Story."  This led to further conversations about the power of stories: Assessment through Story (1:50) Change through Story (22:46) Mindset through Story (36:23)   CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Natalie on Instagram: @natabas...

In the Mindset Minute (1:58), Tom shares the mantra "Why not me?" as one way of trying to combat imposter syndrome. Then (5:50) Tom is joined by Math expert and podcast host Jon Orr to discuss the state of the Math Wars and all things mathematics. Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:35), Tom discusses why it's important for us to distinguish between the non-negotiables of change and implementation e...

In the Mindset Minute (1:53), Tom shares his thoughts on why we must allow our negative thoughts to flow through us. Then (6:18) Tom is joined by author, speaker, and trapping Mathematician Alex Kajitani to discuss his latest book, "Owning It: Proven Strategies to Ace and Embrace Teaching. Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:20), Tom discusses a common assessment dilemma. Alex on "X" (Twitter) Alex...

Mindset Minute (2:11) focuses on why we need to "act toward" what we want. Then (5:35), Tom describes how his view of school discipline evolved to one where "discipline" is something we help students become, not what we do to them. Finally, in Assessment Corner (17:47), Tom suggests that when we assess for the summative purpose, we need to judge holistically.   UPCOMING EVENTS Grading from the Ins...

Mindset Minute (2:23) focuses on the concept of "act as if" where we create present emotions that match how we want to feel when what we want manifests. Then (7:24), Tom asserts that building relationships with students comes through their learning, not before. Finally, in Assessment Corner (17:44), Tom answers a listener's question about converting proficiency levels to percentage-based grades.  ...

In the Mindset Minute (2:13), Tom shares a mantra that he's used to create a mindset that everything always works out for him. Then (6:06) Tom is joined by author, speaker, and friend Cale Birk to talk about why leaders need to plan for impact, not just change. Finally, in Assessment Corner (44:01), Tom reminds listeners about the importance of knowing your assessment purpose in advance of any ass...

In the Mindset Minute (2:36) Tom highlights the book, “The Biology of Belief” by Dr. Bruce Lipton. It is one of the most influential books in terms of Tom’s mindset and outlook on life. Then (8:36) Tom is joined by singer, songwriter, and former student Nikita Afonso to talk about her growing music career. Finally, in Assessment Corner (44:51), Tom asserts that it’s time to ask those who resist as...

In the Mindset Minute (2:22) - a new segment - Tom asserts that the power of positive thinking is as much about the present as it is about the future. Then (6:35) Tom is joined by educator and author Julie Schmidt Hasson to discuss her latest offering, "Pause, Ponder, and Persist in the Classroom: How Teachers Turn Challenges into Opportunities for Impact." Finally, in Assessment Corner (44:48), T...

In this bonus episode, Tom offers his perspective on the New Reporting Order in British Columbia set to be implemented in the 2023-24 school year. In PART 1, Tom highlights the backstory and development (and poor messaging) surrounding the implementation of the new curriculum when it was first developed several years ago. In PART 2 (15:15), Tom takes aim at the obsession some have with percentage-...

In Don’t @ Me (2:31), Tom opens with an assertion that it's time for a collective societal reset on what it means to fail. Then (12:24) Tom is once again joined by Dylan Wiliam for part 2 of a conversation about classroom assessment. Finally, in Assessment Corner (59:04), Tom provides some commentary on the Fake Grading War created by by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne. Dyl...