
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

10 snips
May 8, 2023 • 60min
Exceptions Prove the Rule | Dylan Wiliam | Cumulative Effect
Dylan Wiliam, Expert in classroom assessment, joins Tom Schimmer to discuss the irony of formative assessment, providing tools to teachers, maintaining students' enthusiasm, and evaluating understanding for grading. They emphasize the cumulative effect of instruction on students' progress and achievement.

Apr 24, 2023 • 53min
Can vs Should | Shaunak Roy | Redefining Student Accountability (2)
In Don’t @ Me (1:45), Tom opens by contrasting the difference between what we can do and what we should do in education, especially with ChatGPT. Then (8:43) Tom is joined by Shaunak Roy, founder of Yellowdig, a community-driven active and experiential learning platform. Finally, in Assessment Corner (45:24), in part 2 of 2, Tom shares more details about his latest book, "Redefining Student Accountability: A Proactive Approach to Teaching Behavior Outside the Gradebook."
Shaunak on Twitter
Shaunak on LinkedIn
www.yellowdig.co
UPCOMING EVENTS
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"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

Apr 10, 2023 • 58min
Less is More | Eric Sheninger | Redefining Student Accountability
In Don’t @ Me (2:11), Tom opens by reminding listeners that when it comes to making an argument in favour of something, or when you are trying to convince others to change to a more favourable practice, less is more! Then (9:47) Tom is joined by author Eric Sheninger to discuss his 2021 book, "Disruptive Thinking: Preparing Learners for Their Future." Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:11), Tom, in part 1 of 2, shares details about his latest book, "Redefining Student Accountability: A Proactive Approach to Teaching Behavior Outside the Gradebook."
Eric on Twitter
Eric on Instagram
Eric on Facebook
Eric on LinkedIn
Eric's Blog
www.ericsheninger.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"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

Mar 27, 2023 • 1h 7min
Thank you! | Ron Ritchhart | Idea Cults in Assessment
In Don’t @ Me (2:19), Tom celebrates episode 100 with a thank you to listeners. Then (7:50) Tom is joined by researcher and author Dr. Ron Ritchhart to discuss how we develop cultures of thinking in our classrooms. Finally, in Assessment Corner (57:06), Tom cautions listeners against idea cults that can emerge in discussions about assessment and grading that lack nuance and context.
Ron on Twitter
Ron on Facebook
www.ronritchhart.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"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
Website: www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Mar 13, 2023 • 51min
ChatGPT in Education | Jessica Vance | ChatGPT & Assessment
In Don’t @ Me (2:17), Tom discusses the pros & cons of ChatGPT in K-12 education. Then (8:23) Tom is joined by author Jessica Vance to discuss her book, "Leading with a Lens of Inquiry." Finally, in Assessment Corner (43:16), Tom highlights ten ways ChatGPT can be used for classroom assessment.
Jessica on Twitter
Jessica on Instagram
www.leadingwithinquiry.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
GFIO Virtual 2-Day
April 4 & 11
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"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
Website: www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 8min
Last Thing You Said | Shelley Moore | Portfolios
In Don’t @ Me (2:37), Tom asked listeners to consider the question, "what's the last thing you said to yourself about yourself?" Then (10:11) Tom is joined by author and speaker, Shelley Moore to discuss the important aspects of equity, inclusion, & UDL. Finally, in Assessment Corner (57:47), Tom highlights why knowing its purpose is the most important part of implementing a portfolio system.
Shelley on Twitter
Shelley on Instagram
Shelley on Facebook
Shelley on YouTube
Shelley's Podcast
www.fivemooreminutes.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summit on PLC at Work
Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 28 – 2)
GFIO Virtual 2-Day
April 4 & 11
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"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
Website: www.tomschimmer.com
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Feb 13, 2023 • 1h 3min
Impact Update | Rob Dunlop | Overrater Explains
In Don’t @ Me (2:31), Tom provides an "impact" update, an update on how his #OneWord challenge is going so far. Then (9:20) Tom is joined by author Rob Dunlop to discuss his latest book, "Strive for Happiness in Education." Finally, in Assessment Corner (56:38), Tom provides a mantra to follow when there is a discrepancy between the student's self-assessment and the teacher's assessment.
Rob on Twitter
Rob on Instagram
Rob on Facebook
Rob on LinkedIn
www.motivatedu.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summit on PLC at Work
Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 28 – 2)
GFIO Virtual 2-Day
April 4 & 11
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: @tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Jan 30, 2023 • 1h 6min
Cost of NOT Changing | Tim Stephenson | Next Generation Assessment
In Don’t @ Me (2:56), Tom discusses why, when considering any change, it's important to consider the cost of NOT changing as well. Then (8:53) Tom is joined by science teacher and podcast host Tim Stephenson to discuss the essential characteristics of teaching science in the 21st century. Finally, in Assessment Corner (55:11), Tom highlights the key aspects of Next Generation Assessments.
Twitter: @astrostephenson
Instagram: @astrostephenson
Podcast: Science 360
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summit on PLC at Work
Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 28 – 2)
GFIO Virtual 2-Day
April 4 & 11
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Redefining Student Accountability" (April 2023)
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: @tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Jan 16, 2023 • 1h 2min
One Word Failure | Jan Chappuis | Anything but Arbitrary
In Don’t @ Me (2:46), Tom discusses how his One Word for 2022 was an epic failure and how he's going to give itone more shot. Then (7:35) Tom is joined by mentor, author, and consultant Jan Chappuis to discuss the evolution of assessment for learning over the past 20 years. Finally, in Assessment Corner (52:52), Tom highlights why grades should be anything but arbitrary.
LinkedIn: Jan Chappuis
Website: www.janchappuis.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summit on PLC at Work
Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 28 – 2)
GFIO Virtual 2-Day
April 4 & 11
SBLA 2-Day Training
Idaho Falls, ID (April 13-14)
Assessment & Grading Conference
Atlanta, GA (April 24-26)
GFIO 2-Day
Salt Lake City, UT (April 26-27)
Assessment Center Institute
Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: @tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Dec 29, 2022 • 51min
BONUS: Teach Better ’22 (Part 2)
In this bonus episode, Tom shares some highlights of the Teach Better '22 conference by interviewing presenters and participants while on Podcast Row. Today's Episode features:
Megan Balduf
Twitter: @MBalduf
Kevin Butler
Twitter: @TheKevinJButler
Tre Gammage
Twitter: @tregammage
Erik Francis
Twitter: @Maverikedu12
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
"Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"
"Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: @tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com
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