NE Voices

Clarity Begins Here: From Outcomes to Learning Intentions(Exploring Clarify Ed)

with Dallas Thiessen & Geoff Goldsworthy (S2E18P1)

Join us as we explore the transformative power of clarity in the classroom. We are joined by Geoff Goldsworthy and Dallas Thiessen, two NESD administrators and educators, who share practical strategies for enhancing student engagement, belonging, and agency. Discover how Clarify Ed supports teachers in crafting clear learning intentions, building learning progressions, and utilizing student feedback to move learning forward. We'll discuss how narrowing down learning intentions can unlock more effective check-ins and deeper conversations about student progress. Stay tuned for a dynamic conversation that considers shifting from 'What are we doing?' to' What are we learning’ and ‘What evidence do I have?'

In part 1, of this 3 part series, we explore Clarify Ed and the Clarity Packs (including learning progressions (success criteria), key vocabulary, simplified vocabulary, translation features, questions, teacher pack, check-in and bump it up)

Curious about Clarify Ed? You can take a look here - https://www.clarify-ed.com/

00:00 Introduction to Clarity in the Classroom

01:50 Meet the Educators: Geoff and Dallas

03:17 Implementing Clarity: Tools and Strategies

05:48 Outcome-Based Success Criteria

09:25 Using Clarify Ed for Effective Learning

16:29 Engaging Students with Learning Progressions

22:35 Teacher Packs and Bump It Up Questions

27:01 Conclusion and Next Steps

Clarity Begins Here: From Outcomes to Learning Intentions(Exploring Clarify Ed) with Dallas Thiessen & Geoff Goldsworthy

Season 2 Episode 18 Part 1

Guest: Geoff Goldsworthy & Dallas Thiessen

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: nesd.ca/NEVoices

Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200
https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices
January 2026

Beyond The Task: Assessment, Agency and Collaborative Communities in Thinking Classrooms with Guests Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

{S2 Ep17 Pt3)

In this final episode of our three-part series, Raquel and Carina reflect on how Thinking Classrooms have reshaped their teaching and transformed student learning. From assessment strategies to classroom routines, this episode dives into the practical and philosophical shifts that empower students to take ownership of their learning.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways:

Balanced Assessment in Action

Raquel and Carina share how they use observation, discussion, and various tasks to assess learning in real time. Whether through conversation, observation, or product, assessment becomes a dynamic and responsive process, which allows for deeper insight into student understanding and growth.

Flexible Routines That Support Deeper Thinking

Carina’s station-based approach—math on my own, with a teammate, with the teacher, and hands-on or tech-based—offers students multiple entry points and opportunities to demonstrate understanding.

 Starting Small and Sharing Practice

The episode encourages educators to begin with manageable steps and emphasizes the value of collegial support. Carina noted,

“Pick something and start with it… It can look different in every classroom—and it should.”

Investing in Agency and engaging students in driving their own learning

Students are encouraged to choose their challenge level, reflect on their progress, and even create their own extra spicy or “double black diamond” tasks.

Collaborative Learning Communities

The classroom becomes a space where students learn with and from each other. Carina highlighted how students developed a mindset of mutual support:

“I am working and I'm learning with the people around me… I can help them and they can help me.”

Collegial Support and Shared Growth

The episode highlights the power of huddles, classroom visits, and peer conversations in building confidence and sparking new ideas. Carina reflected on how seeing a colleague teach math through card tricks opened her eyes to new possibilities and both shared how the Thinking Classrooms approach extending its impact beyond math into other subject areas.

Reframing What It Means to Be a Math Person

Both educators share how their own mindset shifted through this journey. Carina shared,

“Turns out, it’s my favorite thing to teach now”

This episode is a celebration of growth—for students and teachers alike—and a powerful reminder that small steps can lead to big shifts.

Whether you’re just starting or already experimenting, the message is clear: we’re all math people we just might not recognize it yet.

**

Beyond The Task: Assessment, Agency and Collaborative Communities in Thinking Classrooms with Guests Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

Season 2 Episode 17 Part 3

Guest: Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud

Online: ⁠NESD.ca/NEVoices⁠

Facebook:  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/NESD200⁠

Instagram: @NESD200 ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/⁠

Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts⁠

NE Voices

October 2025

Beyond The Task: Assessment, Agency and CollaborativeCommunities in Thinking Classrooms with Guests Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

{S2 Ep17 Pt3)

In this final episode of our three-part series, Raquel and Carina reflect on how Thinking Classrooms have reshaped their teaching and transformed student learning. From assessment strategies to classroom routines, this episode dives into the practical and philosophical shifts that empower students to take ownership of their learning.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways:

Balanced Assessment in Action
Raquel and Carina share how they use observation, discussion, and various tasks to assess learning in real time. Whether through conversation, observation, or product, assessment becomes a dynamic and responsive process, which allows for deeper insight into student understanding and growth.

Flexible Routines That Support Deeper Thinking
Carina’s station-based approach—math on my own, with a teammate, with the teacher, and hands-on or tech-based—offers students multiple entry points and opportunities to demonstrate understanding.

 Starting Small and Sharing Practice
The episode encourages educators to begin with manageable steps and emphasizes the value of collegial support. Carina noted,

“Pick something and start with it… It can look different in every classroom—and it should.”

Investing in Agency and engaging students in driving their own learning
Students are encouraged to choose their challenge level, reflect on their progress, and even create their own extra spicy or “double black diamond” tasks.

Collaborative Learning Communities

The classroom becomes a space where students learn with and from each other. Carina highlighted how students developed a mindset of mutual support:

“I am working and I'm learning with the people around me… I can help them and they can help me.”

Collegial Support and Shared Growth
The episode highlights the power of huddles, classroom visits, and peer conversations in building confidence and sparking new ideas. Carina reflected on how seeing a colleague teach math through card tricks opened her eyes to new possibilities and both shared how the Thinking Classrooms approach extending its impact beyond math into other subject areas.

Reframing What It Means to Be a Math Person
Both educators share how their own mindset shifted through this journey. Carina shared,

“Turns out, it’s my favorite thing to teach now”

This episode is a celebration of growth—for students andteachers alike—and a powerful reminder that small steps can lead to big shifts.

Whether you’re just starting or already experimenting, the message is clear: we’re all math people we just might not recognize it yet.

**

Beyond The Task: Assessment, Agency and CollaborativeCommunities in Thinking Classrooms with Guests Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

Season 2 Episode 17 Part 3

Guest: Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: NESD.ca/NEVoices

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200
https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices
October 2025

Learning Together: Building Student Agency in MathClassrooms with Guests Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

{S2Ep16Pt2}

In Part 2, Raquel and Carina return to share how Thinking Classrooms continues evolve through intentional routines, community building and the opportunity to dig deeper through collaboration. This episode dives into the heart of what makes math meaningful—not just for students, butfor families and educators alike.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways:

Start with RoutinesBoth educators began their journey with short, daily number talks, building comfort and confidence for themselves and their students.

Collaboration Builds Community
Thinking Classrooms thrive on peer interaction. Students learn to rely on each other, ask questions, and grow together.

“They have to work together… and you are definitely thereif they need the support… They just start building that community and they haveto help each other out.”

Student-Led Learning and Self-Assessment
Through practice students begin assessing their own understanding of where they are at and what they need in the moment.  Plus they have the opportunity to choose tasks that match their readiness and ongoing opportunities to dig deeper.

Family Engagement Through Student-Led Conferences
Students guided their families through math tasks, sparking meaningful conversations and showcasing their learning in real time, as well as, sparking some math conversations at home.

Empowering Young Thinkers drives engagement and student agency
Even the youngest learners surprised their teachers with deep insights and connections, proving that curiosity and collaboration can unlock powerful learning at any age.

This episode is a celebration of how small shifts in practice can lead to big changes in engagement, ownership, and joy in math learning. Because in the end, Math isn’t just about the numbers its about learning different strategies to solve problems, reflecting on where you are at, discovering the patterns and building resilience.

👉 Don’t miss Part 3,where we explore how Thinking Classrooms are transforming assessment, cross-curricular learning, and the future of math education in NESD.

Learning Together: Building Student Agency in MathClassrooms

Season 2 Episode 16 Part 2

Guests: Carina Calow and Raquel Scheidt

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: NESD.ca/NEVoices

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200 https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE VoicesOctober 2025

What If We Were All Math People?

Reimagining Math Through Curiosity, Collaboration andThinking ClassroomsGuests: Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

Have you ever said… I’m not a math person and then foundyourself teaching math? That’s where our journey began and what unfolded from there is a powerful story of the ways thinking classrooms impacted not only students, but teachers, as well. 

In Part 1, Raquel and Carina take us inside their elementary math classrooms to share their journey into Thinking Classrooms —two North East School Division (NESD) educators who’ve embraced this approach and reshaped theirclassrooms into thriving hubs of collaboration, curiosity, and confidence. From standing wipebook stations to spontaneous problem-solving, their students are not just learning math—they’re living it.

Join us as we hear how vulnerability becomes strength,mistakes become stepping stones, and every student  finds an entry point into learning. Whether you're a seasoned math educator or just curious about math, this episode willinspire you to rethink how learning happens—and how letting go as a teacher can lead to deeper engagement and unexpected growth.

 This episode explores how Building Thinking Classrooms sparked a classroom evolution.

Building a Community of Learners
Before jumping into Wipebooks and collaborative problem-solving, both teachers focused on creating safe spaces for students to share ideas, take risks, andlearn from mistakes.

Letting Go to Let Students Lead
Raquel reflects, “I just had to release a little bit of the leadership and let them experiment.” This shift empowered students to take ownership of their learning and explore math in new ways.

Depth of Student Thinking
Raquel was amazed by the growth in her students’ mathematical language and reasoning: “I just couldn’t believe the language that they were using, but they came up with lots of that on their own.”

Creative Classroom Setups
Carina shares how she overcame space limitations by repurposing whiteboards and using Velcro to create standing workstations—even hanging boards in front of lockers. Her message: don’t let space be a barrier to trying something new.

Mistakes as Learning Opportunities
The use of erasable surfaces like Wipebooks and small whiteboards helped students embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, fostering resilience and deeper understanding. 

This episode is a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to rethink how we teach and learn math. Whether you’re a math lead or just math-curious, Raquel and Carina’sstories will leave you inspired.

👉 Don’t miss Part 2,Where we continue the conversation and dive deeper into the impact of Thinking Classrooms on student engagement, assessment, and cross-curricular learning.

00:00 Introduction to Northeast Voices

00:45 Meet Raquel and Karina: Thinking Classrooms in Math

02:26 Implementing Thinking Classrooms: Strategies and Experiences

06:52 The Role of Wipe Books and Classroom Setup

13:05 Teacher and Student Perspectives on Thinking Classrooms

19:37 Conclusion and Future Episodes

****What If We Were All Math People?

Reimagining Math Through Curiosity, Collaboration andThinking Classrooms

Season 2 Episode 15 Part 1

Guests: Carina Calow & Raquel Scheidt

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: NESD.ca/NEVoices

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200 https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices October 2025

This episode of NE Voices is designed for families to learn more about what to expect when your student visits Love Land. Join us as Penny Mohr, Indigenous Education Coordinator at the NESD, walks us through what a dayon the land really looks like—so you know exactly what to expect, what your child will experience, and how you can be a part of it.

We cover everything from morning smudging and gratitudereflections, to safety tips, what to wear, and the kind of hands-on learning students will engage in throughout the day. Penny also shares why this kind of learning matters—and how it helps build community, curiosity, and cultural understanding in a way that goes far beyond the classroom.

Whether you’re helping your child pack their backpack orconsidering joining the day yourself, this episode will leave you feeling more connected, confident, and excited about what’s ahead.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

[0:45] – Parents are always welcome: why your presencematters[2:30] – Breaking down stereotypes through experience[4:10] – What to bring: clothing, bug spray, water, and footwear[6:15] – Real talk on nature: bugs, weather, and rough ground[8:00] – Risky play: learning through exploration and tools[10:15] – Fires, food, and shared snacks—how we keep it safe and joyful[11:30] – Smudging and tobacco: a cultural practice, not a ceremony[13:00] – Respectful participation: how students are included, never forced[14:00] – Curriculum connections and how learning comes to life[15:00] – Wrapping up with round dances, handshakes, and gratitude

🔗 Links & Resources

• Kôkom's Gathering

💬 Thank you for being part of your child’s learning journey.
If this episode helped you feel more prepared, share it with a fellow parent and follow NE Voices for more thoughtful conversations on land-based learning and Indigenous education.

A Family Guide to Land-Based Learning at Love Land withGuest Penny Mohr (Episode 14 Part 4)

Guest: Penny Mohr

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: NESD.ca/NEVoices

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200
https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices
June 2025

In this special episode of NE Voices, we talk with Penny Mohr, Indigenous Education Coordinator at the North East School Division, to offer parents and caregivers a clear, thoughtful, and respectful introduction to smudging—a cultural practice often experienced during land-based learning visits to Love Land.

We know that when your child brings home a note aboutsmudging, you might have questions. This episode is here to answer them. Penny shares the teachings she grew up with, explains how smudging is a cultural—not religious—practice, and offers insight into what students can expect. You’ll hear how smudging helps ground and prepare learners, what materials are used, and why participation is always a choice.

This episode is a valuable tool for educators to share with families and build understanding around Indigenous cultural practices in our schools.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

[0:40] – What to expect as a parent when your child visitsLove Land[1:30] – Smudging explained: a cultural, not religious, practice[3:20] – Personal story: understanding different names for the Creator[5:10] – What smudging looks like and why students do it[6:45] – Step-by-step: how Penny teaches smudging to students[9:00] – The four elements in the smudging practice[11:15] – Student reflection and gratitude through tobacco offerings[13:30] – What if my child chooses not to smudge? Inclusivity and respect[14:45] – Final thoughts: smudging as a grounding, spiritual tool—not a ceremony

🔗 Links & Resources

- Kôkom's Gathering Understanding Smudging as Part of Land-Based LearningExperiences with Guest Penny Mohr (Episode 13 Part 3)

Guest: Penny Mohr

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: https://nesd.ca/nevoiceshttps://nesd.ca/nevoices

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200 https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices
June 2025

In Part 2 of our land-based learning series, we continue theconversation with Penny Moore, Indigenous Education Coordinator at the North East School Division. In this episode, we take you through what a day at Love Land actually looks like—from the moment the bus arrives to the final rounddance or handshake of gratitude.

We explore how learning on the land begins with intention: amorning smudge, a moment of reflection, and honoring the land as our teacher. Penny walks us through how curriculum connections come to life outside the classroom, how educators can prepare and reflect with their students, and why land-based learning supports every learner—regardless of age, ability, or background.

As Penny shares:
“Everybody has gifts. And without them, the place isn’t the same.”
This episode is a celebration of those gifts and a powerful reminder that real learning starts with connection—to the land, to each other, and to ourselves.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

[0:45] – What happens when the bus arrives: class sizes,set-up, and flexibility
[1:30] – Beginning the day with smudging and gratitude
[5:20] – The significance of offering tobacco to the land as a protocol
[7:45] – Safety, structure, and “risky play” on the land
[10:10] – Making Love Land accessible for all learners
[11:30] – How to connect classroom curriculum to land-based experiences
[13:40] – Using land experiences for student assessment and deeper learning
[15:15] – Seeing students in a new light—and helping them shine
[19:00] – Wrapping the day in community: round dances and gratitude circles
[21:10] – Overnight opportunities and future plans for more land-based spaces
[23:00] – Teacher takeaways: professional growth through learning with students

🔗 Links & Resources

🌟 If this episode sparked something in you, let us know!
—and don’t forget to share this episode with a colleague, parent, or educator who’s curious about transforminglearning through land-based education.

Beginning in a Good Way: When the Land Leads the Learning with Guest Penny Mohr (Episode 12 Part 2)

Guest: Penny Mohr

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: NESD.ca/NEVoices

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200 https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices
Date May 2025

In this episode of NE Voices, I’m joined by PennyMoore, our Indigenous Education Coordinator at the North East School Division, for the first in a new series exploring Indigenous education. We dig into what it really means to learn from the land—not just on it—and how a special place called Love Land is helping students and educators reconnect with nature, culture, and each other.

Penny shares the story behind Love Land and the vision forthis space rooted in authentic land-based learning. We talk about the importance of meeting students where they’re at, the vital role of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and how curriculum outcomes can come to life outdoors in unexpected and transformative ways.

Whether you’re an educator curious about land-basedlearning, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of Indigenous perspectives in education, this conversation is rich with insight and inspiration.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

[0:30] – Introducing Penny Moore and the vision for a newIndigenous education series
[1:45] – What is Love Land, and how did it come to be?
[3:10] – Why familiarity with the land is the first
[4:55] – The role of Elders and Knowledge Keepers—and why relationships come first
[7:20] – When’s the best time to visit Love Land, and how does the land itself guide us?
[10:00] – Planning a visit: weather, preparation, and learning for both students and teachers
[11:15] – The difference between outdoor education and land-based learning
[13:30] – Connecting land-based experiences to curriculum outcomes across subjects
[16:00] – The power of authentic, experiential learning that’s rooted in place and story
[19:10] – Teachers as co-learners: what to expect and how to prepare for a visit to Love Land

🔗 Links & Resources

Bringing Land Based Learning to Life at Love Land with GuestPenny Mohr (Episode 11 Part 1)

Guest: Penny Mohr

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD andBeyond

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud
Online: NESD.ca/NEVoices

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200
https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices Date May 2025

In this episode of NE Voices, we continue the conversation to explore how classroom spaces, collaboration, and feedback shape meaningful learning experiences. From innovative teaching practices like "windows and whiteboards" to fostering a culture of openness and risk-taking, Darla

Darla also shares her reflections on building sustainable

🎧 Ready to reimagine learning? Hit play now!

Episode Highlights

[00:01:00] - Interactive Spaces in the Classroom
Darla describes her innovative use of "windows and whiteboards" to make learning visible and foster instant feedback and collaboration.

[00:02:30] - The Power of Collaboration
Shifting from grades to feedback transforms classroom dynamics, encouraging students to share, learn from each other, and engage as a team.

[00:04:00] - Creating a Culture of Feedback
Darla explains how feedback from teachers, peers, and self-assessment plays a key role in her classroom culture.

[00:05:30] - Real-World Skills in Action
From problem-solving to teamwork, Darla highlights how the classroom models the collaborative skills students will need in their future careers.

[00:08:00] - Three Lessons from the Journey
Darla reflects on sustainable changes, the power of student voice, and the deep relationships built through her teaching approach.

[00:10:00] - Future-Focused Learning
With the rise of AI, Darla shares her vision for maintaining a focus on human skills, critical thinking, and connection.

[00:12:00] - A Call to Collaboration
Darla invites fellow educators to share their strategies for fostering feedback and collaboration in the classroom.

Windows & Whiteboards: The Path to Meaningful Growth

Episode 10 Part 3

Guest: Darla Faye

NE Voices – A podcast amplifying the Voices of the NESD and

Hosted by: Stephanie Pipke-Painchaud

Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/NESD200

Instagram: @NESD200
https://www.instagram.com/nesd200/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ne-voices/id1738102911

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bApwCE5KLxcBJZmI9aGLu?si=56f32d637cff4fd6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NEVoices/podcasts

NE Voices