Episodes
Oct. 31, 2022
Respectful Engagement | Dave Schmittou | AP Exam Format
In Don’t @ Me (1:50), Tom opens by contemplating the rules of "respectful" engagement when debating contentious issues. Then, Tom is joined by education author & speaker Dave Schmittou (8:55) for a conversation about his new book (co-authored with Ka...
Oct. 24, 2022
Dear Society | Dawn Harris | Reassessing ’Big Rocks’
In Don’t @ Me (1:22), Tom opens with a Letter to Society regarding why so many teachers are leaving the profession. Then, Tom is joined by education author & teacher Dawn Harris (16:43) for a conversation about her book, "Plan like a PIRATE." Finally...
Oct. 17, 2022
Complainers | Joe Feldman | Rubrics 101
In Don’t @ Me (2:29), Tom complains about complainers who have turned complaining into a personality trait driven by ego. Then, Tom is joined by Joe Feldman (12:38) for a conversation about his book, "Grading for Equity." Finally, in Assessment Corne...
Oct. 10, 2022
Must Be Measurable | John Hattie | The Good Ol’ Test
In Don’t @ Me (2:37), Tom shares his thoughts on how anything schools want to count in the court of public opinion must be measurable. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. John Hattie (12:25) for part two of a conversation about the Visible Learning research. ...
Oct. 3, 2022
Quiet Quitting | John Hattie | Willful Distortion
In Don’t @ Me (2:15), Tom shares his thoughts on the recent social media phenomenon called "Quiet Quitting." Then, Tom is joined by Dr. John Hattie (12:16) for part one of a conversation about the Visible Learning research. Finally, in Assessment Cor...
Sept. 26, 2022
Can You Be Led? | Connie Hamilton | Fractured Relationship
In Don’t @ Me (2:53), Tom opens by asking us all to consider whether we can set our egos aside and be open to being led. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author Connie Hamilton (9:33) to discuss her book, “Hacking Questions: 11 Answers that Create...
Sept. 19, 2022
Reborn a Critic | Livia Chan | Synthesizing Standards
In Don't @ Me (5:29), Tom declares that in his next life, he wants to return as a critic. Then, Tom is joined by author, speaker, and Teach Better Digital Coordinator Livia Chan (11:16) to discuss the importance of building strong relationships with ...
Sept. 12, 2022
Answer the Question | Joe Sanfelippo | Jackpot!
In Don't @ Me (2:41), Tom shares his thoughts on why it is so important to answer people's questions, especially in online forums, and why performative pontifications are the highest form of disrespect. Then, Tom is joined by Joe Sanfelippo (8:35) to...
Aug. 29, 2022
Spoiler Rules | Lindsay Titus | Sustaining Change
In Don't @ Me (3:21), Tom outlines what he believes the societal rules surrounding "no spoilers" should be. Then, Tom is joined by Lindsay Titus (11:19) to discuss how educators can maintain some semblance of balance through the inevitable stress tha...
Aug. 15, 2022
Teaching Still Matters | Lainie Rowell | Leadership Blindspots
In Don't @ Me (2:32), Tom expresses his frustration with those teachers who seem to want to run away from referring to themselves as "teachers." Then, Tom is joined by Lainie Rowell (11:24) to discuss her latest book, "Evolving with Gratitude: Small...
Aug. 1, 2022
We Must Listen | Nathan Wear | Gradeless vs Grade Less
In Don't @ Me (2:36), Tom expresses his concern that if we can't listen to one another and empathize without agreeing, then the divides in our society will further deepen. Then, Tom is joined by Nathan Wear (14:02) to discuss his book, "Making Grades...
July 18, 2022
Friends like Family | Gholdy Muhammad | Assessing Competencies
In Don't @ Me (2:16), Tom reflects after a camping trip about his core group of friends who are more like family. Then, Tom is joined by Gholdy Muhammad (11:51) to discuss her book, "Cultivating Genius, an Equity Framework for Culturally and Historic...
July 4, 2022
Tales from MTL | Tyrone McNeil | Assessment Analogies
In Don't @ Me (2:53), Tom recounts his trip to Montreal with his son to see their first-ever Formula 1 race. Then, Tom is joined by FNESC President Tyrone McNeil (19:46) to discuss the state of indigenous education. Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom ...
June 20, 2022
What’s a Majority? | Zaretta Hammond | Non-Negotiables v Philosophy
In Don't @ Me (3:17), Tom questions whether or not society's assertion of "majority rule" is something we all really believe in. Then, Tom is joined by author Zaretta Hammond (14:04) to discuss her 2015 release, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and th...
June 6, 2022
I Was Tested | Andrea Samadi | Where to Begin
In Don't @ Me (3:17), Tom, through highlighting a truly awful travel experience last week, explores how life tests us and how we have to maintain perspective, regardless of how frustrated we might be. Then, Tom is joined by author and "Neuroscience M...
May 23, 2022
Negative Self-Talk | Rick Jetter | Assess THAT!
In Don't @ Me (2:30), Tom explores the issue of negative self-talk and wonders why, if we wouldn’t say negative things to others, we keep saying negative things to ourselves. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author Rick Jetter (14:13) to discuss w...
May 9, 2022
Allowed an Opinion? | Robert Cobbs | What Are You Assessing?
In Don't @ Me (3:13), Tom discusses his concern over a new tactic that could become more divisive than helpful when debating societal issues. Then, Tom is joined by future author and educator Robert Cobbs (13:25) to discuss how he ended up in Puerto ...
May 2, 2022
BeReal with Me | Mike Mattos | 3 Strikes in Grading Reform
In Don't @ Me (4:00), Tom discusses the new social media app BeReal which he says has a chance to create a more authentic online experience. Then, Tom is joined by author and speaker Mike Mattos (11:33) to discuss the RTI at Work framework. Finally, ...
April 25, 2022
Another Happiness Killer | Mirko Chardin | Leveled Responses
In Don't @ Me (2:45), Tom highlights another sure-fired "happiness killer." Then, Tom is joined by author Mirko Chardin (12:19) to discuss his latest book, "Equity by Design: Delivering on the Power and Promise of UDL." Finally, in Assessment Corner ...
April 18, 2022
Ego of AP | Morgane Michael | Mastery for Targets
In Don't @ Me (2:25), Tom takes aim at any adult associated with AP courses, including parents, by highlighting why adult ego is driving students to overload their academic schedules with AP courses thereby creating an unsustainable and unhealthy sch...
April 11, 2022
Must Be Nice | Tony Reibel | Get Them Talking
In Don't @ Me (2:34), Tom opens by sharing why "must be nice" is the most condescending phrase anyone can use. Then, Tom is joined by author and colleague Tony Reibel (11:11) to discuss his latest book, "Small Changes, Big Impact: 10 Strategies to Pr...
April 4, 2022
Passions or Strengths | Chey Cheney | Concise Answers
In Don't @ Me (2:10), Tom opens by wondering whether "follow your passion" is sound advice for our students. Then, Tom is joined by teacher and podcast host Chey Cheney (10:23) to discuss an array of educational topics. Finally, in Assessment Corner ...
March 28, 2022
Virtue Signalling is Good | Jimmy Casas | Confirm What You Suspect
In Don't @ Me (2:00), Tom opens with an assertion that on the net, virtue signalling is good. Then, Tom is joined by author, speaker, and leader Jimmy Casas (12:12) to discuss his book "Culturize" and to put the principles into practice. Finally, in...
March 21, 2022
Beware of the Curious | Rosa Perez-Isiah | Assessment Mantra
In Don't @ Me (1:55), Tom opens with a warning to beware of the "just curious." Then, Tom is joined by Rosa Perez-Isiah (9:25) to discuss what it means to create a school culture of equity and access. Finally, in Assessment Corner (51:24), Tom highli...