The Tom Schimmer Podcast
The Tom Schimmer Podcast is a show about learning, leadership, and life. Primarily, it’s a podcast that focuses on current topics in K-12 education. Each week, Tom Schimmer (a best-selling education author, keynote speaker, and consultant) will lean on his 30 years of experience to keep listeners informed and entertained on the prevailing stories dominating the conversations about teaching and learning. This podcast also focuses on educational leadership by exploring how leaders can truly engineer a culture of continued professional growth. Occasionally, this podcast will explore the pursuit of success and happiness as it relates to any walk of life. Through a mix of interviews, commentary, current news stories, questions from listeners, and other segments, listeners will be well-equipped to meet the needs of learners regardless of what role they serve.
The player is loading ...
Recent Episodes
April 21, 2025
12 - Assessment & UDL
In this episode, Tom and Nat explore the intersection between assessment and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Specifically, they highlight five important connections: UDL means designing assessments from the start with fl...
April 7, 2025
11 - Would You Rather? (Assessment Edition)
In this episode, Tom and Nat play the game "Would You Rather," exploring five assessment dilemmas that teachers and schools often face: Would You Rather: #1: Allow students to redo assessments right up to report card deadline...
March 10, 2025
10 - Assessing PBL & Inquiry
Tom and Nat explore some important reminders about how to ensure that the assessment of both Project- and Inquiry-Based Learning are meaningful, cognitively complex, and substantive. Just "doing" PBL or Inquiry is not enough....
Feb. 24, 2025
BONUS [TSP Classic] - Gholdy Muhammad (July 2022)
In this Tom Schimmer Podcast classic, Tom is joined by Gholdy Muhammad to discuss her book, "Cultivating Genius, an Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy." Gholdy on X: @GholdyM Gholdy on Instag...
Feb. 10, 2025
EP9: 3 Year Checklist for Implementing Standards-Based Grading
In this episode, Tom and Nat share a three-year checklist for implementing standards-based grading. Of course, every checklist must be checked" against the culture and nuances of each specific situation. but generally, this c...
Jan. 27, 2025
EP8: The Secrets to Self-Assessment
In this episode, Tom and Nat discuss the "Secrets to Self-Assessment." Having students competent in self-assessment is the ultimate outcome of teachers' assessment literacy; teachers need to teach students how to do it. Tom a...
Dec. 2, 2024
EP7: The Grading Trap!
In this episode, Tom and Natalie discuss the "Grading Trap," which inadvertently occurs when traditional grading practices - things like zeros for missing work, late penalties, and mixing behavior with academic performance - ...
Nov. 18, 2024
EP6: Three Quick Assessment Wins
In this episode, Tom and Natalie discuss three quick assessment wins. Each "win" falls within a specific aspect of assessment. Formative: Engineer conversations Summative: Reorganize the gradebook. Student Agency: Feedback th...
Nov. 4, 2024
EP5: The Anatomy of a Good Rubric
In this episode, Tom and Natalie discuss what makes a good rubric. They discuss the art and science of rubrics and what constitutes a high-quality rubric. They also discuss the differences between analytic, holistic, and sing...
Oct. 21, 2024
EP4: Are Common Assessments Worth It?
In this episode, Tom and Natalie ask, "Are Common Assessments Worth It?" Spoiler alert: they are, as long as certain fundamentals and conditions are adhered to. In particular, when common assessments are used formatively they...
Oct. 7, 2024
EP3: Feedback - Simple & Complex
In this episode, Tom and Natalie explore the topic of feedback. They discuss it as both simple and complex. It's simple because there is unanimous agreement in academia about the role feedback plays in increasing student lear...
Sept. 23, 2024
EP2: 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 uncer...
Sept. 9, 2024
EP1: 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) M...
Sept. 2, 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 an...
Aug. 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...
Aug. 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 ...
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. Em...
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 q...
July 8, 2024
[TSP Classic] Zaretta Hammond: Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
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: CRTandtheBrai...
June 21, 2024
I'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....
Jan. 15, 2024
Elevate 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 Inqui...
Join the Email List
Listen On
Related Shows
Leaning into Leadership
Visit Page
The Tom Schimmer Podcast
Visit Page
Modern Math Teacher
Visit Page
Aspire to Lead
Visit Page
The Jeff Bradbury Show
Visit Page
Unapologetic Leadership
Visit Page
The Counter Narrative: Changing the Way We Talk (and think) About Education
Visit Page
Limitless Leadership Lounge
Visit Page
The Happy Music Teacher
Visit Page
Keep On Going
Visit Page
Unlocking Unlimited Potential Stories
Visit Page
In AWE Podcast
Visit Page
Teaching Champions
Visit Page
The Squad Builder Podcast
Visit Page
Thriving Educator
Visit Page
Time for Teachership
Visit Page
Teach Happier! Small shifts. Big gifts.
Visit Page
The Language of Behavior
Visit Page
The Ed Essentials Podcast
Visit Page
Science 360
Visit Page
Wisdom and Productivity: The Podcast of An Imperfect Educator
Visit Page
Moments of ImpartED Joy
Visit Page
Leading Collaborative Response
Visit Page
Digital Learning Today: Where Productivity Meets Innovation in the Classroom.
Visit Page
Design Lessons with Dr. Michele Schmidt Moore
Visit Page
Building a Culture of Collaboration
Visit Page
Leader of Learning
Visit Page
Teach Better Talk
Visit Page
The bigEDidea Podcast
Visit Page
Xhausted Educators RechargED
Visit Page
Ask The Tech Coach
Visit Page
The Reading Teacher's Playbook with Eva Mireles
Visit Page
EduMagic: Future Teacher Podcast
Visit Page
The Shut Up and Teach Podcast
Visit Page
Punk Rock Classrooms
Visit Page
The Secret Sauce with Kip Shubert
Visit Page
Learner-Centered Spaces
Visit Page
Catching Up with Casey
Visit Page
Balance Your Teacher Life: Tips for Educators to Avoid Burn-Out and Achieve Bett
Visit Page
Making the Grade Podcast
Visit Page
Lead with HOPE Podcast
Visit Page
powerED Up
Visit Page
GotTechED the Podcast
Visit Page
The Pixel Classroom Podcast
Visit Page
Schurtz and Ties: A podcast about education and culture
Visit Page
The Dips of Doubt
Visit Page
plAI Around and Find Out!
Visit Page
The Gifted PLaCe
Visit Page
The Embrace the Messy Podcast with Shannon Schinkel
Visit Page
Design Cast
Visit Page
The Define YOUniversity Podcast with Lindsay Titus
Visit Page
The Principal Leadership Lab
Visit Page
#EduCrush
Visit Page
1stgenteacherlens
Visit Page
The Dash (RETIRED)
Visit Page
The Good News, Brad News Podcast (RETIRED)
Visit Page
The Out of the Trenches Podcast
Visit Page