
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

Jan 31, 2022 • 1h 15min
Ruining Words | Susan Brookhart | Trust the Process
In Don't @ Me (2:05), Tom opens with a warning about how overusing words will ruin them and weaken their impact. Then, Tom is joined by renowned researcher, Susan Brookhart (10:48) for a conversation about a breadth of assessment and grading topics. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:02:27), Tom shares some experiences he's had in supporting schools and districts in their efforts to transform their assessment and grading cultures and why you, especially if you are part of leading this effort, need to trust the process.
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Susan on Twitter: @SusanBrookhart
Susan on LinkedIn: Susan Brookhart
Susan's Website: www.susanbrookhart.com
Grading from the Inside Out Workshop
Virtual (Apr. 5 & 12)
https://tinyurl.com/mpz947rm
Des Moines, IA (Mar. 28-29)
https://tinyurl.com/2mfj5bhj
San Antonio, TX (Apr. 25-26)
https://tinyurl.com/4svcwkz6
Standards-Based Learning in Action Workshop
San Antonio, TX (Apr. 27-28)
https://tinyurl.com/yvxmvphe
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Jan 24, 2022 • 1h 6min
Why Not You? | Heather Lyon | Instructional Efficiency
In Don't @ Me (2:50), Tom opens this week with a simple question that can shift your mindset away from self-doubt. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author, Heather Lyon (13:15) for a conversation about student engagement. Finally, in Assessment Corner (57:30), Tom revisits an important residual effect of formative assessment and that is becoming more instructional efficient.
Heather on Twitter: @LyonsLetters
Heather on Instagram: @cl@lyonsletters
Grading from the Inside Out Workshop
Virtual (Apr. 5 & 12)
https://tinyurl.com/mpz947rm
Des Moines, IA (Mar. 28-29)
https://tinyurl.com/2mfj5bhj
San Antonio, TX (Apr. 25-26)
https://tinyurl.com/4svcwkz6
Standards-Based Learning in Action Workshop
San Antonio, TX (Apr. 27-28)
https://tinyurl.com/yvxmvphe
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Jan 17, 2022 • 1h 5min
Enough with the Fluff | Monica Burns | Would You Accept It?
In Don't @ Me (1:52), Tom opens this week with a rant about how he's had enough with the educational fluff that seems to be more prominent than ever. Then, Tom is joined by educator, author, and EdTech expert Dr. Monica Burns (12:10) for a conversation about how to effectively and efficiently infuse technology into our classroom practices. Finally, in Assessment Corner (51:48), Tom highlights one simple question you can use to audit your assessment practices and know whether or not it’s something you should continue to utilize.
Monica on Twitter: @ClassTechTips
Monica on Instagram: @classtechtips
Monica on Linkedin: Monica Burns
Monica on Pinterest: Class Tech Tips
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 11min
Impact | Andrew Maxey | Overcorrection
In Don't @ Me (2:17), Tom opens this week by sharing his #OneWord for 2022. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author Andrew Maxey (11:52) for a conversation centered on his newly released book, "Elephant in the Classroom: Tracing the Complexity of Teaching by Exploring 13 Competencies and Practices." Finally, in Assessment Corner (58:47), Tom addresses what he sees as an overcorrection in the field with our assessment practices and why trading one restriction for another is counterproductive.
Andrew on Twitter: @ezigbo_
Hedreich on Linkedin: Andrew Maxey
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Dec 13, 2021 • 1h 17min
Here We Go Again | George Sugai (Pt. 2) | Your Assessment Journey
In Don't @ Me (1:52), Tom opens with a recent experience that reminded him that even the smallest connections can make the biggest difference. Then, Tom is joined by George Sugai (12:24) in part two of their conversation about PBIS; they specifically talk about positive reinforcement & the critical role of Tier 2 interventions. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:08:11), Tom focuses on every educator's assessment journey and the one piece of advice that matters the most!
George Sugai Email: george.sugai@uconn.edu
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Dec 6, 2021 • 1h 11min
I‘m Doing That! | George Sugai | Think They‘re Right
In Don't @ Me (2:11), Tom opens by recounting his work with George Sugai in the early 2000s and describes why George is on his Mount Rushmore of career influencers. Then, Tom is joined by George Sugai (14:04) in part one of their conversation about the origins of the OSEP Center for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:04:28), Tom focuses on the importance of student mindset and belief and how it greatly influences their receptivity to feedback and their willingness to keep learning.
George Sugai does not have a web or social media presence.
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Nov 29, 2021 • 1h 19min
If Not Ed | Hedreich Nichols | Myths of Summative Assessment
In Don't @ Me (2:11), Tom opens this week by talking about what career he would have chosen had he not gone into education. Then, Tom is joined by author and podcast host Hedreich Nichols (14:14) for a conversation about the anti-racism work and what it means to be a culturally responsive educator. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:02:55), Tom deconstructs six myths of summative assessment and what the research actually says about using assessment evidence to verify and report.
Hedreich on Twitter: @hedreich
Hedreich on Instagram: @hedreichnichols
Hedreich on TikTok: @hedreich
Hedreich on YouTube: Hedreich Nichols
Hedreich on Facebook: Hedreich Nichols
Hedreich on Linkedin: Hedreich Nichols
Hedreich's Website: www.hedreich.com
Small Bites Podcast on Anchor.FM: Small Bites
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
TikTok: @tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Nov 22, 2021 • 1h 9min
What‘s Happened to Us? | Brian Butler | Common Assessments
In Don't @ Me (3:50), Tom opens this week by questioning why we've collectively become so brazen and disrespectful towards others. Then, Tom is joined by friend and colleague Brian Butler (16:03) for a conversation about why gifted education should be the floor for all learners if we are to achieve true equity in our schools. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:00:35), Tom talks about common assessments not just as an efficient way to increase student achievement, but an effective way to create an authentic collaborative culture amongst educators.
Brian on Twitter: @bkbutler_brian
Brain on Instagram: @brianbutler8578
Brian on YouTube: Brian Butler
Brian on Linkedin: Brian Butler
Brian's Website: www.brianbutler.info
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 1min
Milestones | Garnet Hillman | Engineering Conversations
In Don't @ Me (2:41), Tom opens this week with some thoughts about reaching milestones as the podcast hits its 50th episode. Then, Tom is joined by friend, colleague, and co-author Garnet Hillman (12:30) for a conversation about assessment and grading. Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:36), Tom focuses on engineering classroom conversations as a way to elicit formative assessment evidence.
Garnet on Twitter: @garnet_hillman
Congratulations to the 12for12 winner Hiedi Bodnarchuk. You can follow Hiedi on Twitter: @HiediBods
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Nov 8, 2021 • 1h 11min
Machinery of Achievement | Pav Wander | Acceptable Alternatives
In Don't @ Me (3:48), Tom opens this week with a reminder that educators have more influence and control over the machinery of student achievement than some might think. Then, Tom is joined by teacher and podcast co-host Pav Wander (17:43) for a conversation about teacher-voice. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:00:30), Tom focuses on the importance of acceptable alternatives in assessment and grading reform.
Pav on Twitter: @PavWander
Staffroom Podcast on Twitter: @StaffPodcast
Staffroom Podcast on Instagram: @the_staff_room_podcast
Staffroom Podcast on Facebook: The Staffroom Podcast
Staffroom Podcast on Linkedin: The Staffroom Podcast
Website: www.cheyandpav.com
12for12 Challenge (50th Episode)
(1) Post a picture on Twitter, Instagram (NOT IG story b/c those disappear), or Facebook OR a video on TikTok (yes, the podcast is on TikTok) of what you typically do while listening to the podcast. E.g., Twitter - Something like Hey @TomSchimmerPod, I love listening to the podcast while on my commute to/from work every day OR Hey, @TomSchimmerPod, I love listening to the podcast while I work out or whatever. You have to tag the podcast - Podcast handles. I’ll check you are following the podcast too; that’s a must.
(2) Then, you have to get at least 12 people in the next 2 weeks to subscribe to the podcast and post about it. 12 hours of coaching – 12 people. It might sound something like this: I just subscribed to the @TomSchimmerPod. Thanks (tag you - @mybestfriend) for the recommendation! They don’t have to post a pic but that would certainly be cool if they did.
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com
Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmer
Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast
Facebook: Schimmer Education
Website: www.tomschimmer.com