Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

By Tom SchimmerEducation

Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning) episodes

September 23, 20242 - 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: [email protected]
45 min
September 09, 20241 - 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: [email protected]
34 min
September 02, 2024 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!
7 min
August 29, 2024[TSP Classic] Ken Williams (March 2022)
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 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: [email protected]
49 min
August 14, 2024[TSP Classic] John Hattie (October 2022)
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 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: [email protected]
1 hr 20 min
July 15, 2024[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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
1 hr 19 min
July 13, 2024 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
3 min
July 08, 2024[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: [email protected]
50 min
June 21, 2024I'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: [email protected]
57 min
January 15, 2024Elevate Your Moments | Ashley Aoki | Assessment Pressure
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 being assessed.
Ashley on "X" (Twitter)
Ashley on LinkedIn

EMPOWERMENT ECOSYSTEM
✨Check out the website for schedules, locations and to register: empowermentecosystem.com/summit

UPCOMING EVENTS
Grading from the Inside Out
Grand Rapids, MI (Mar. 4-5)
Seattle, WA (Mar. 13-14)
Standards-Based Learning in Action
Grand Rapids, MI (Mar. 6-7)
St. Louis, MO (Apr. 2-3)

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: [email protected]
1 hr 9 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.