Episodes
Jan. 23, 2025
Messy Minutes Assessment Edition Special Proficiency Scale Series Episode 6: If You Build It, They Will Grow
TRANSCRIPT: Opening: Welcome back to Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition! I’m your host, Shannon Schinkel, from the Embrace the Messy Podcast. Over the past five episodes, we’ve journeyed through the art and science of building...
Jan. 23, 2025
Messy Minutes Assessment Edition Special Proficiency Scale Series Episode 5 - To boldly build criteria where no one has gone before
TRANSCRIPT: Opening: Welcome back to Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition! I’m your host, Shannon Schinkel, from the Embrace the Messy Podcast. Over the past four episodes, we’ve unpacked backward design, explored standards, and...
Jan. 23, 2025
Messy Minutes Assessment Edition Special Proficiency Scale Series Episode 4 - I Feel the Need, the Need for Detailed Criteria!
TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome back to Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition! I’m your host, Shannon Schinkel, from the Embrace the Messy Podcast. Over the past three episodes, we’ve been hiking our way through the Hiking 101 standard. We s...
Jan. 17, 2025
Messy Minutes Assessment Edition Special Proficiency Scale Series Episode 3 - I love the smell of task neutral criteria in the morning
TRANSCRIPT: Welcome back to Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition! I’m your host, Shannon Schinkel, from the Embrace the Messy Podcast. Over the last two episodes, we’ve tackled backward design and unpacking standards—all while h...
Jan. 10, 2025
Messy Minutes Assessment Edition Special Proficiency Scale Series Episode 2 - This is the start of a beautiful proficiency scale
TRANSCRIPT: Welcome back to Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition episode two in our proficiency scale design series, This is the start of a beautiful proficiency scale! I’m your host, Shannon Schinkel, from the Embrace the Messy...
Jan. 3, 2025
Messy Minutes Assessment Edition Special Proficiency Scale Series Episode 1 - There's no place like backward design
TRANSCRIPT: Hey everyone, welcome to Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition Episode 1: There’s no place like backward design! I’m your host, Shannon Schinkel, from the Embrace the Messy Podcast. Today, we’re kicking off a new seri...
Dec. 30, 2024
28 - Dr. Thomas Guskey Embraces the Messy
People, do I have a treat for you! Last summer I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Thomas Guskey, and I am finally, finally getting around to sharing it with you—and I thought, what a perfect full length episode to share ...
Dec. 27, 2024
Special Proficiency Scale Design Series Trailer
This is your host, Shannon Schinkel, from Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition, part of the Embrace the Messy Podcast, with a cool announcement! I’m thrilled to introduce something I think will make a real difference for you and...
Dec. 20, 2024
Segment 11 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - How the Grinch Stole Assessment Reform
In this holiday episode, we dive into a Seuss-inspired journey through the magic of feedback and growth. With a lighthearted take on assessment reform, we explore how focusing on progress over perfection can transform the lea...
Dec. 13, 2024
Segment 10 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - assessment reform happiness
When it comes to assessment reform, joy and happiness play distinct but vital roles. Joy sparks excitement in small wins—those moments when students grasp a concept or feedback clicks. Happiness, on the other hand, is the ste...
Dec. 6, 2024
Segment 9 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - assessment reform overwhelm
In this episode, we navigate the delicate balance between stress and overwhelm in the journey of assessment reform. Learn how to recognize the signals, manage the challenges, and decide when it’s time to pause and recharge. W...
Dec. 2, 2024
27 - Erik Francis Embraces MORE of the Messy
Erik M. Francis is returning to the Embrace the Messy Podcast. If you didn’t catch our first conversation, I recommend you head over and check out episode 16. Erik is an international author, educator, presenter, and profess...
Nov. 29, 2024
Segment 8 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - to test or not to test?
In this episode, we explore the nuanced debate over testing—when it works, when it doesn’t, and how to make it meaningful. Discover how thoughtful test design and preparation can transform assessments from high-stress events ...
Nov. 22, 2024
Segment 7 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - student voice and choice
In this episode, we explore the balance of student voice and choice in the classroom—where students are empowered to make decisions while teachers provide structure and guidance. We'll break down how this approach encourages ...
Nov. 15, 2024
Segment 6 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - supporting teachers to take their first steps in assessment reform
In this episode, we're tackling the challenge of helping educators who are deeply rooted in traditional assessment practices take their first step toward reform. We'll explore how small, manageable changes can shift their per...
Nov. 11, 2024
26 - Ken Williams Embraces the Messy
In this episode, Shannon chats with Ken Williams, a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, coach and consultant in leadership and school culture. A practitioner for nearly three decades, Ken led the improvement efforts at tw...
Nov. 8, 2024
Segment 5 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - feedback
In this episode, we're diving into the heart of effective feedback—when to give it, how to give it, and how to ensure it actually leads to student growth. We'll explore why it's not about the amount of feedback but the impact...
Nov. 1, 2024
Segment 4 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - talking to caregivers about assessment reform
In this episode, we tackle the challenge of talking to caregivers about assessment reform and shifting away from traditional grades. You'll learn how to break down the benefits of standards-based grading in a way that builds ...
Oct. 25, 2024
Segment 3 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - learning habits vs work habits
In this episode, we’re uncovering the hidden power of learning habits and why they matter more than traditional work habits. We’ll explore how shifting the focus from behaviors like attendance and homework to the skills behin...
Oct. 21, 2024
25 - Peter Liljedahl Embraces the Messy
In this episode, Shannon talks with Dr. Peter Liljedahl, a professor of mathematics education at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. Peter has authored or coauthored numerous books, book chapters, and journal articl...
Oct. 18, 2024
Segment 2 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - rethinking your grade book
In this episode, we're taking a fresh look at how you organize your grade book, challenging the conventional approach of focusing on task types. Discover how a simple shift toward standards-based categories can create a clear...
Oct. 11, 2024
Segment 1 - Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition - formative and summative assessment
In this episode, we're shifting the way we think about assessment—from static events to ongoing actions that shape our teaching. We'll explore how subtle changes in approach can transform your classroom, making assessment mor...
Oct. 7, 2024
24 - Ken O'Connor Embraces the Mesy
In this episode, Shannon talks with Ken O’Connor, an internationally recognized expert on grading and reporting practices in education. With years of classroom experience followed by decades of consulting and writing, Ken has...
Oct. 2, 2024
Introducing Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition
I’m excited to introduce 'Messy Minutes: Assessment Edition,' dropping every Friday. These micro episodes will be short, to the point, and all me—no guests. We’re talking 5-10 minutes nuggets where I’ll share my favorite asse...