
Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)
The Tom Schimmer Podcast is a show about learning, leadership, and life. Primarily, it’s a podcast that focuses on current topics in K-12 education. Each week, Tom Schimmer (a best-selling education author, keynote speaker, and consultant) will lean on his 30 years of experience to keep listeners informed and entertained on the prevailing stories dominating the conversations about teaching and learning. This podcast also focuses on educational leadership by exploring how leaders can truly engineer a culture of continued professional growth. Occasionally, this podcast will explore the pursuit of success and happiness as it relates to any walk of life. Through a mix of interviews, commentary, current news stories, questions from listeners, and other segments, listeners will be well-equipped to meet the needs of learners regardless of what role they serve.
Latest episodes

Sep 23, 2024 • 45min
2 - Quieting the Grading Noise
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 helpful for those trying to navigate grading reform.
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.
Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium
New Orleans, LA
RECENT BOOKS:
"Redefining Student Accountability"
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE
Podcast on X
Tom on X
Natalie on X
Podcast on IG
Tom on IG
Natalie on IG
Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

Sep 9, 2024 • 34min
1 - Five Reasons we're still "doing" Assessment
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.
Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium
New Orleans, LA
RECENT BOOKS:
"Redefining Student Accountability"
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE
Podcast on X
Tom on X
Natalie on X
Podcast on IG
Tom on IG
Natalie on IG
Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

Sep 2, 2024 • 7min
TRAILER - Introducing Assess THAT with Tom & Nat (Assessment, Grading,
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 9, Tom and Natalie will bring you bi-weekly episodes that drill down to what the research says, what it doesn't say, and how to put theory into practice.
Stay subscribed to the feed, and the episodes will download automatically!

9 snips
Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 19min
[TSP Classic] John Hattie (October 2022)
John Hattie, Emeritus Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne and renowned for his Visible Learning research, dives into the intricacies of effective education. He discusses the transformative power of feedback and goal setting in student learning, emphasizing the need for constructive critique. Hattie also unpacks the significance of effect size in evaluating teaching practices and highlights the importance of adaptability and subject knowledge. He reflects on the challenges educators face while urging a focus on successful practices for lasting impact.

Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 19min
[TSP Classic] Yvette Jackson (May 2021)
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)
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Podcast on Twitter
Tom on Twitter
Podcast on Instagram
Podcast on TikTok
Podcast on Facebook
www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Jul 13, 2024 • 3min
INTRODUCING: UYES Podcast with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso
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 their jobs and building learning-based businesses as authors, speakers, and consultants.
If you are ready to leap but need support, subscribe below and let's get started!
Subscribe to the UYES Podcast
Follow Tom Schimmer on LinkedIn
Follow Natalie Vardabasso on LinkedIn

Jul 8, 2024 • 50min
[TSP Classic] Zaretta Hammond (June 2022)
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" (NEW)
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Podcast on Twitter
Tom on Twitter
Podcast on Instagram
Podcast on TikTok
Podcast on Facebook
www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Jun 21, 2024 • 57min
I'm Back | Paula Maeker | UYES!
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 Entrepreneurial Spirit - UYES!
Paula on Instagram
Paula on LinkedIn
UYES PODCAST
UYES podcast link
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW)
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Podcast on Twitter
Tom on Twitter
Podcast on Instagram
Podcast on TikTok
Podcast on Facebook
www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

4 snips
Jan 15, 2024 • 1h 9min
Elevate Your Moments | Ashley Aoki | Assessment Pressure
Teacher and former student Ashley Aoki discusses spirals of inquiry, the pressure of assessment, and the benefits of inquiry-based learning. They also explore the importance of support, feedback, and handling pressure in assessments, while sharing recommendations for restaurants and promoting the Empowerment Ecosystem Summit.

Dec 11, 2023 • 53min
BONUS: Assessment, Change, & Mindset through Story (w/ Natalie Vardabasso)
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: @natabasso
EduCrush on Twitter: @educrushpod
EduCrush Podcast: #EduCrush on Apple
EMPOWERMENT ECOSYSTEM
✨Check out the website for schedules, locations and to register: empowermentecosystem.com/summit
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW)
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Podcast on Twitter
Tom on Twitter
Podcast on Instagram
Podcast on TikTok
Podcast on Facebook
www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
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