Learner-Centered Spaces
Welcome to Learner-Centered Spaces podcast produced by Mastery Portfolio. Our hosts are Starr Sackstein, Emma Chiappetta, and Crystal Frommert. We are educators sharing our experiences of being the lone wolves of de-emphasizing grades in a traditional grades school. Starting the shift toward standards-based grading is no easy task when the community (colleagues, parents, students, and admin) is expecting a number grade on assignments and report cards.
Recent Episodes
March 1, 2026
Pam Zetterval inspires learners
@PamZettervall- X and Insta, and LinkedIn @JetwithZet Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Feb. 15, 2026
Steve Martinez encourages educators to think differently.
Linkedin Website: https://www.underhatpod.com/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Feb. 1, 2026
Amos Fodcuk says technology literacy breaks barriers
ALP LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amos-fodchuk/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Jan. 18, 2026
Katie Mead re-learned what education could be
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mead-6a95888a/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Jan. 4, 2026
Sierra Holtzheuser says value results in buy-in.
Growth Over Grades Podcast: ttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-growth-over-grades-podcast/id1760177088 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-growth-over-grades-podcast/id1760177088] https://open.spotify.com/show/2JujzaMu9vUiaCO8dj3eEO LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierraholtz/ H…
Dec. 21, 2025
Tziri Lamm asks what we actually want students to know and do.
tziralamm@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/tziri-lamm/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Dec. 7, 2025
Arthur Chiaravalli grows beyond grading.
https://growbeyondgrades.org/ LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-chiaravalli-0903a51/] On today's episode, we're joined by Arthur Chiaravalli, House Director at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Vermont. Over his career, Arthur has taught ELA, math, technology, and media ar…
Nov. 23, 2025
Tom Guskey never lets his expectations be limited by what he thought was possible.
Tom Guskey never lets his expectations be limited by what he thought was possible. https://tguskey.com/ LinkedIn Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfol...
Nov. 9, 2025
Frank Shaw promotes change with teacher collaboration
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Oct. 19, 2025
Rosalia Tierno coaches with support, modeling, and resources
LinkedIn Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Sept. 21, 2025
Elaine Roberts teaches AI as a tool.
linktr.ee/ejroberts Bluesky: @ejroberts.bsky.social Threads: @elainejroberts Elaine Roberts: Adjunct Professor, Dept of Communications (writing and gen ed literature) and Division of Education (Children’s and Adolescent Liter...
Sept. 7, 2025
Stephanie Dinnen and Peter Siner ask teachers what they need
https://www.teachsmarteredu.com/ Teach Smarter LinkedIn Stephanie's LinkedIn Peter's LinkedIn Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Aug. 24, 2025
Mark Erlenwein says to assign less and engage more
www.markerlenwein.com Instagram: @Merlenwein Twitter: @Erlenwein Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
Aug. 10, 2025
Joey Brewer values local history
Forgottoniaproject.com (Oral History of Forgottonia section in particular is where student projects live) Email - joeybrewer8989@gmail.com Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
July 27, 2025
Rob Baier and Chris Luzniak says we can teach math with debate
BlueSky Debate Math Podcast Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
July 21, 2025
SL Rao designs better systems for learning
Contact SL @ Optimistic.design/contact Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: Starr@masteryportfolio.com crystal@masteryportfolio.com
July 13, 2025
Toni Rose Deanon helps educators personalize learning
Modern classrooms free course: https://learn.modernclassrooms.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/modernclassproj/ FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modernclassrooms Instagram @ClassroomFlex: https://www.instagram.com/classroomflex/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonirosedeanon/ Music by Au…
June 29, 2025
Eric Walters says teaching is real-world storytelling
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewaltersscience/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
June 15, 2025
Dana Goodier encourages educators to take care of themselves
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-goodier-edd-98815815/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoftrenchespc/?hl=en FB, X, BlueSky @danagoodier Threads: @outoftrenchespc YouTube: @outoftrenchespc Website: www.danagoo...
June 1, 2025
Devon Houghton says trust must come first
Connect with Devon: dhoughton@plainville.k12.ma.us Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
May 4, 2025
Todd Bloomer says assessment is a flashlight, not a hammer.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-bloomer-2bb167168/ Website: https://www.toddmbloomer.com/ Twitter https://roadtoawesome.net/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
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