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

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

Auteur(s): Tom Schimmer
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À propos de cet audio

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.

Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
Épisodes
  • 25 - The Ghosts of Grading Past, Present & Future (Rethinking Assessment Through A Christmas Carol)

    25 - The Ghosts of Grading Past, Present & Future (Rethinking Assessment Through A Christmas Carol)
    Dec 15 2025

    In this special holiday episode of Assess THAT with Tom & Nat, Tom and Natalie explore grading through the timeless lens of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Guided by the ghosts of grading past, present, and yet to come, they unpack why grading is so emotionally charged, why change often feels threatening, and how our own experiences as students continue to shape the way we evaluate learning today. From fear-based grading practices to the identity-laden nature of grades, this episode invites listeners to reflect honestly on the stories that live beneath their current systems.

    Shifting the focus from grading debates to what truly drives learning, Tom and Natalie make the case that assessment (not grading) is the real engine of equity, motivation, and student growth. They explore what happens when assessment is treated as a living process rather than a set of events, and offer a future-focused vision that centres student voice, confidence, and accurate learning stories. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or system-level decision-maker, this episode provides a powerful framework for starting meaningful conversations about grading and reimagining what’s possible for learners.

    🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE

    Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here

    • CAC on Instagram
    • CAC on Facebook
    • CAC on X
    • EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca

    PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS

    -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH)

    -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN)

    -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC)

    NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT

    • Rehumanizing Assessment

    CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE

    • Podcast on X
    • Tom on X
    • Natalie on X
    • Podcast on IG
    • Tom on IG
    • Natalie on IG
    Voir plus Voir moins
    50 min
  • 24 - The 12 Days of Assessment: Small Teacher Moves with Big Impact

    24 - The 12 Days of Assessment: Small Teacher Moves with Big Impact
    Dec 1 2025

    As the year winds down and classrooms settle into December’s quieter rhythm, Tom and Natalie invite you to pull up a chair for a fireside conversation about the small assessment moves that make a big difference. Instead of offering another checklist or set of strategies to “add on,” this special holiday episode explores twelve gentle, human-centred shifts, each connected to its day, that bring more clarity, confidence, and calm to both teachers and students. From the One Switch that changes everything to the Twelve Notes of Hope that strengthen partnerships with families, these micro-moves reflect the heart of modern assessment practice: simple actions that transform learning without overwhelming anyone.

    Across the episode, Tom and Natalie share stories, classroom moments, and reflections from their work with educators. Each of the "twelve days of assessment" offers a tiny gift, something teachers can carry into January without adding to their workload or losing sight of what matters most: meaningful feedback, student growth, and strong relationships. Whether you’re looking to lighten your assessment practices, deepen student agency, or simply end the year with a bit of warmth and inspiration, this episode is designed to support you through the season and into a brighter, more hopeful new year.

    🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE

    Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here

    • CAC on Instagram
    • CAC on Facebook
    • CAC on X
    • EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca

    PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS

    -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX)

    -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH)

    -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN)

    -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC)

    NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT

    • Rehumanizing Assessment

    CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE

    • Podcast on X
    • Tom on X
    • Natalie on X
    • Podcast on IG
    • Tom on IG
    • Natalie on IG
    Voir plus Voir moins
    29 min
  • 23 - Trust the Teacher: Why Percentages Fail and Professional Judgment Prevails

    23 - Trust the Teacher: Why Percentages Fail and Professional Judgment Prevails
    Nov 17 2025

    In this episode, Tom & Nat tackle one of education’s biggest myths: that percentages make grading fair and objective. They break down how percentage systems create the illusion of precision while concealing the true story of student learning. Through real numerical examples and insights from researchers, they reveal how averaging can distort growth, penalize early learning, and undermine teacher professionalism.

    But this isn’t just a critique, it’s a call to action. Tom and Nat show why professional judgment is not a flaw in the system but its foundation, even within outcome-based frameworks. They share practical strategies for strengthening confidence in teacher judgment, communicating clearly with parents, and helping schools shift toward more authentic measures of learning. It’s an empowering conversation for any educator ready to move beyond numbers and trust the human side of assessment.

    🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE

    Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here

    • CAC on Instagram
    • CAC on Facebook
    • CAC on X
    • EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca

    PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS

    -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX)

    -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC)

    NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT

    • Rehumanizing Assessment

    CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE

    • Podcast on X
    • Tom on X
    • Natalie on X
    • Podcast on IG
    • Tom on IG
    • Natalie on IG
    Voir plus Voir moins
    37 min
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