Episodes
March 14, 2022
Relationship with Research | Ken Williams | Unnecessary Overkill
In Don't @ Me (2:35), Tom opens by sharing an observation about our convenient relationship with research. Then, Tom is joined by Ken Williams (14:32) to discuss his forthcoming book "Ruthless Equity." Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:03:21), Tom dis...
March 7, 2022
Do Something | Sascha Heckmann | Art of Corrections
In Don't @ Me (2:04), Tom opens by sharing a personal mantra he uses when the to-do list is piling up and the workload is relentless. Then, Tom is joined by Sascha Heckmann (10:25) who is the Assistant Superintendent for Innovation & Learning at the ...
Feb. 28, 2022
Funny about Money | Tim Cavey | High School GPA
In Don't @ Me (2:36), Tom opens with an observation about how people have a funny relationship with money. Then, Tom is joined by MS Assistant Principal and the host of the Teachers on Fire podcast, Tim Cavey (13:50) for a conversation about an array...
Feb. 21, 2022
Advocate Honestly | Tom Murray | Trauma-Informed Assessment (2)
In Don't @ Me (2:09), Tom calls on all educators to advocate their positions honestly, rather than resorting to creating caricatures on the other side of a debate. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Thomas Murrary (9:33) for a conversation about what means f...
Feb. 14, 2022
Leave Wordle Alone | Allison Dillard | Trauma-Informed Assessment
In Don't @ Me (2:25), Tom expresses his concern that we - educators and society as a whole - are on the verge of ruining "Wordle," the online viral trend of 2022 so far. Then, Tom is joined by adjunct professor and podcast host Allison Dillard (10:09...
Feb. 7, 2022
Generation Wrong? | Defining Success | Emotional Side of Assessment
In Don't @ Me (2:51), Tom opens with a question about why society defers to the younger generations to set societal norms and whether they ever get it wrong. Then, the podcast circles back (17:01) to previous guests and how they each defined success....
Jan. 31, 2022
Ruining Words | Susan Brookhart | Trust the Process
In Don't @ Me (2:05), Tom opens with a warning about how overusing words will ruin them and weaken their impact. Then, Tom is joined by renowned researcher, Susan Brookhart (10:48) for a conversation about a breadth of assessment and grading topics. ...
Jan. 24, 2022
Why Not You? | Heather Lyon | Instructional Efficiency
In Don't @ Me (2:50), Tom opens this week with a simple question that can shift your mindset away from self-doubt. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author, Heather Lyon (13:15) for a conversation about student engagement. Finally, in Assessment Co...
Jan. 17, 2022
Enough with the Fluff | Monica Burns | Would You Accept It?
In Don't @ Me (1:52), Tom opens this week with a rant about how he's had enough with the educational fluff that seems to be more prominent than ever. Then, Tom is joined by educator, author, and EdTech expert Dr. Monica Burns (12:10) for a conversati...
Jan. 10, 2022
Impact | Andrew Maxey | Overcorrection
In Don't @ Me (2:17), Tom opens this week by sharing his #OneWord for 2022. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author Andrew Maxey (11:52) for a conversation centered on his newly released book, "Elephant in the Classroom: Tracing the Complexity of ...
Dec. 13, 2021
Here We Go Again | George Sugai (Pt. 2) | Your Assessment Journey
In Don't @ Me (1:52), Tom opens with a recent experience that reminded him that even the smallest connections can make the biggest difference. Then, Tom is joined by George Sugai (12:24) in part two of their conversation about PBIS; they specifically...
Dec. 6, 2021
I‘m Doing That! | George Sugai | Think They‘re Right
In Don't @ Me (2:11), Tom opens by recounting his work with George Sugai in the early 2000s and describes why George is on his Mount Rushmore of career influencers. Then, Tom is joined by George Sugai (14:04) in part one of their conversation about t...
Nov. 29, 2021
If Not Ed | Hedreich Nichols | Myths of Summative Assessment
In Don't @ Me (2:11), Tom opens this week by talking about what career he would have chosen had he not gone into education. Then, Tom is joined by author and podcast host Hedreich Nichols (14:14) for a conversation about the anti-racism work and what...
Nov. 22, 2021
What‘s Happened to Us? | Brian Butler | Common Assessments
In Don't @ Me (3:50), Tom opens this week by questioning why we've collectively become so brazen and disrespectful towards others. Then, Tom is joined by friend and colleague Brian Butler (16:03) for a conversation about why gifted education should b...
Nov. 15, 2021
Milestones | Garnet Hillman | Engineering Conversations
In Don't @ Me (2:41), Tom opens this week with some thoughts about reaching milestones as the podcast hits its 50th episode. Then, Tom is joined by friend, colleague, and co-author Garnet Hillman (12:30) for a conversation about assessment and gradin...
Nov. 8, 2021
Machinery of Achievement | Pav Wander | Acceptable Alternatives
In Don't @ Me (3:48), Tom opens this week with a reminder that educators have more influence and control over the machinery of student achievement than some might think. Then, Tom is joined by teacher and podcast co-host Pav Wander (17:43) for a conv...
Nov. 1, 2021
EduDivisiveness | Doug Reeves (Pt. 2) | Assessment Relevance
In Don't @ Me (6:22), Tom takes aim at the (intentional or otherwise) divisiveness that seems to be emerging within the education profession, especially on social media. Then, Tom is joined by Doug Reeves (15:38) part two of their conversation; this ...
Oct. 25, 2021
Risk is Reward | Doug Reeves (Pt. 1) | Targeted Feedback
In Don't @ Me (2:16), Tom opens with an assertion that risk-taking itself can and should be the reward (as opposed to playing the results and deciding in retrospect). Then, Tom is joined by Doug Reeves (12:47) in part one of their two-part conversati...
Oct. 18, 2021
Fear of Regret | Tina Boogren | Method vs Format
In Don't @ Me (1:42), Tom opens with a personal story that illustrates how the fear of regret can be a driver of success in our lives. Then, Tom is joined by Tina Boogren (19:08) to discuss the importance of self-care for educators and why focusing o...
Oct. 11, 2021
Shine Bright | Luis Cruz | Don‘t Overthink It
In Don't @ Me (2:46), Tom opens with a quick story from last week about how the small things in life – even if they are manufactured – can make a big difference in how we are feeling. Then, Tom is joined by friend and colleague Luis Cruz (11:19) to e...
Oct. 4, 2021
Disproving the Theory | Phyllis Fagell | The Allure of Quick
In Don't @ Me (1:36), Tom opens with a rant about student accountability and how so many, on a daily basis, disprove the theories they assert. Then, Tom is joined by LCPC, psychotherapist, and author Phyllis Fagell (12:57) for a discussion about the ...
Sept. 27, 2021
Second Opinions | Cathy Vatterott | Peer Assessment
In Don't @ Me (1:54), Tom opens with an assertion that educators should seek "second opinions" about the degree to which students have met learning goals. Then, Tom is joined by author, speaker, and expert Dr. Cathy Vatterott (15:23) for a discussion...
Sept. 20, 2021
Present as Epilogue | Rachel Carrillo Fairchild | No Point-Fives
In Don't @ Me (1:48), Tom shares a daily habit that has contributed to both his personal and professional success. Then, Tom is joined by author, speaker, and expert Rachel Carrillo Fairchild (10:29) for a discussion on how we effectively and efficie...
Sept. 13, 2021
Are We Too Serious? | Greg Wolcott | Willing & Able
In Don't @ Me (2:58), Tom wonders if we (as a society) have become too serious and makes the distinction between taking things seriously and taking ourselves too seriously. Then, Tom is joined by Greg Wolcott (10:54), author of SIGNIFICANT 72: UNLEAS...