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Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)
By Tom SchimmerEducation
Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning) episodes
- Professional Judgment | Rick Wormeli | Atypical AssessmentsIn 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) educational topics. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:15:23), Tom, part 1 of 2, details why "atypical assessment formats" must be embraced if teachers are going to remain relevant and culturally responsive.Follow Rick Wormeli on Twitter: @rickwormeli2Website: www.rickwormeli.comEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: tomschimmerpodcastFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 24 min
- Rehumanize Each Other | Tom Hierck | Grading: Verb or Noun?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 why it's so important to be clear on whether we mean "grading the verb" or "grading the noun."Follow Tom Hierck on Twitter: @thierckFollow Tom Hierck on LinkedIn: Tom HierckWebsite: www.tomhierck.comEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: tomschimmerpodcastFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 16 min
- Celebrating You! | 5 Leadership Lessons | Assessing CollaborationIn 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 place for group scores or results.Email the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: tomschimmerpodcastFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 4 min
- Attitude of Gratitude | Erik Francis | Repacking StandardsIn 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 practice of repacking standards for cognitive rigor.Erik Francis on Twitter: @Maverikedu12Erik Francis Website: www.maverikeducation.comEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: tomschimmerpodcastFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 37 min
- Harm of Hyperbole | Cassandra Erkens | Year-End StandardsIn 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. Finally, in Assessment Corner (59:58), Tom addresses a question about how to assess year-end standards during the school year.Cassandra Erkens on Twitter: @cerkensAll Things Assessment: www.allthingsassessment.infoEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: tomschimmerpodcastFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 14 min
- Get it Wrong | Tara Barton | MemorizationIn 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-century skills in learners. In Assessment Corner (1:12:32), Tom addresses the role of memorization in a modern learning environment and highlights the difference between a task and an assessment.Tara Barton on Twitter: @tarambartonServe Learn on Twitter: @servelearncoServe Learn Website: www.servelearn.coEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: Schimmer EducationFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 33 min
- Lead with Your Charisma | Bill Ferriter | Instructional AgilityIn 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 for instructional agility.Notes from Bill Ferriter Interview:Digital Tools Guidehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1HH9piAJ4D6BDmkXf5xN9-xx7JtsY98vHp5wsYoP3e98/edit?usp=sharingBill & daughter singing the Canadian National Anthem:https://youtu.be/o4t9tnzdnV8Bill Ferriter on Twitter: @plugusinBill Ferriter Website: www.williamferriter.comThe Tempered Radical BlogEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: Schimmer EducationFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 43 min
- Attention for Change | Katie Martin | ReassessmentIn 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 Assessment Corner (1:10:59), Tom has some suggestions that can make implementing reassessment routines more efficient and effective. Finally, Tom has a question for listeners (1:24:07) about upcoming episodes.Katie Martin on Twitter: @KatieMartinEDUKatie Martin on Instagram: @katiemartineduWebsite: www.katielmartin.comEmail the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: Schimmer EducationFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 28 min
- The Debate of Ideas | Katie White | Rubrics (2)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 revisits last week's conversation about what the best type of rubric is and asserts that rubrics that describe (not prescribe) quality and are task-neutral are most favorable.Katie White on Twitter: @KatieWhite426Katie White on Instagram: @softedgedlearningWebsite: https://www.kwhiteconsulting.com/Email the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerInstagram: Schimmer EducationFacebook: Schimmer Education1 hr 25 min
- Alberta Curriculum | Josh Ogilvie (PHE) | RubricsIn 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 Week (1:19:46), Tom highlights Rik Rowe on Twitter (@RoweRikW).Email the Podcast: [email protected]Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @TomSchimmerPodFollow Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmerFacebook & Instagram: Schimmer Education1 hr 23 min
About Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)
From the publisher's feed
Assess THAT with Tom & Nat is a bi-weekly podcast where co-hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack what it really means to deepen assessment literacy in schools. Known for their dynamic, insightful, and sometimes provocative conversations, Tom and Nat create a space where educators can rethink grading, feedback, and accountability in ways that put student learning first. Each episode blends practical strategies with big-picture thinking, helping teachers and leaders translate research into action without losing sight of the human side of education.
Listeners can expect honest discussions, fresh perspectives, and plenty of take-home ideas. From reimagining final exams to exploring the role of assessment in equity and Universal Design for Learning, Assess THAT is for any educator ready to challenge the status quo and embrace assessment as a tool for growth—not just measurement.
About the Hosts
Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso are internationally recognized speakers, authors, and consultants who have spent their careers helping schools modernize assessment and grading practices. Together, they are the co-founders of the Canadian Assessment Centre (CAC), a national professional learning hub created by Canadians, for Canadians to bring clarity, credibility, and care to assessment in classrooms across the country.
Tom Schimmer is the author and co-author of multiple best-selling books, including Grading from the Inside Out and Standards-Based Learning in Action. With 35 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and consultant, Tom is known for his ability to translate big ideas into practical tools educators can use right away.
Natalie Vardabasso is a leading voice in assessment and equity, recognized for her innovative approaches to standards-based learning, feedback, and student agency. As a speaker, writer, and coach, she has helped thousands of educators create assessment systems that are not only accurate but also deeply humanizing.
Together, Tom and Natalie bring complementary perspectives, humour, and a deep commitment to making assessment meaningful. Their partnership in Assess THAT and at the Canadian Assessment Centre reflects a shared belief that when educators improve how they assess, they unlock the full potential of every learner.
Tom and Natalie are also the authors of Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Learning Through Storytelling, a book that challenges traditional grading systems and shows how assessment can honour student voice and identity.
Why Listen?
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or policy maker, Assess THAT with Tom & Nat will challenge your assumptions, equip you with actionable strategies, and inspire you to see assessment as the most powerful driver of student success.
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