Episodes
Aug. 17, 2021
Summer Series: Trauma-Informed Education
The 2021 Summer Series continues with a roundtable discussion on Trauma-Informed Education. Joining Tom for this discussion are Jill Reedy, Joshua Stamper, & John Eller.
Jill Reedy is currently Assistant Regional Superintendent for the Macon/Piatt ...
Aug. 3, 2021
Summer Series: Women in Leadership
The 2021 Summer Series continues with a roundtable discussion on Women in Leadership. Joining Tom for this discussion are Zandra Jo Galván, Anisa Baker-Busby, & Brittany Rincón
Zandra Jo Galvan has been serving as Superintendent of the Greenfield U...
July 19, 2021
Summer Series: Standards-Based Grading
The 2021 Summer Series continues with a roundtable discussion on Standards-Based Grading. Joining Tom for this discussion are Elaine Klauer, Megan Knight, & Katelynn Giordano
Elaine Klauer is the Director of Academics and Instructional Programs at ...
July 5, 2021
Summer Series: Social-Emotional Learning
The 2021 Summer Series continues with a roundtable discussion on Social-Emotional Learning. Joining Tom for this discussion are Tre' Gammage, Jessica Hannigan, & John Hannigan.
Tre' Gammage is a Dean of Students & SEL Consultant from South Carolina...
June 14, 2021
Summer Series: Universal Design for Learning
The 2021 Summer Series opens with a roundtable discussion on Universal Design for Learning. Joining Tom for this discussion are Fatima Sammy, Jackie Duncan, & Alisha Poling.
Fatima Sammy (M.Ed, MPH) is the 8th-grade science teacher and teacher lead...
May 31, 2021
Association isn't Causation | Ken O'Connor | Teaching to the Test
In Don't @ Me (3:34), Tom discusses a few highlights from the book, "Calling Bullshit" and how they remind him of some important principles in education. Then, Tom is joined by Ken O'Connor (16:00) to discuss his journey from Melbourne to Toronto, to...
May 24, 2021
Lessons from Songland | Mandy Stalets | Enough Evidence?
In Don't @ Me (1:56), Tom explores the lessons about creativity he learned from the television show, Songland. Then, Tom is joined by Mandy Stalets (15:20) to discuss teaching during the pandemic, math instruction & assessment, as well as her forthco...
May 17, 2021
Public Humility | Jennifer Abrams | Constructed-Response
In Don't @ Me (2:11), Tom discusses why public proclamations of humility are really an attempt to cover up a hidden superiority complex. Then, Tom is joined by Jennifer Abrams (13:15) to discuss how we prepare for (and follow through on) difficult co...
May 10, 2021
With Age Comes... | Yvette Jackson | Non-Verbal Cues
In Don't @ Me (1:18), Tom explores the societal contradiction that emerges when we finish the expression, "With Ages Comes Wisdom." Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Yvette Jackson (13:55), author of Pedagogy of Confidence to discuss the equity issue surrou...
May 3, 2021
Teacher Appreciation | Natalie Vardabasso | Assessment Purpose
In Don't @ Me (1:58), Tom expresses his appreciation to all teachers who have, over the past 12-14 months, done heroic work in supporting learners through these unprecedented times. Then, Tom is joined by Natalie Vardabasso (12:57), Assessment Instru...
April 26, 2021
False Dichotomies | Catlin Tucker | More than Verbs
In Don't @ Me (2:06), Tom addresses the current obsession with false dichotomies and asserts that one in education has to stop. Then, Tom is joined by Catlin Tucker (17:05), author, speaker, leader, and expert in Blended Learning to discuss the ways ...
April 19, 2021
Father Phil | LaVonna Roth | Homework (2)
In Don't @ Me (2:01), Tom tells the story of Father Phil and why he was responsible for Tom choosing education as a career. Then, Tom is joined by LaVonna Roth (16:26), Founder and Lead Presenter at IGNITE your S.H.I.N.E.™ for a discussion about stud...
April 12, 2021
Debating Both Sides | Muhammad Khalifa | Homework
In Don't @ Me (1:50), Tom discusses how, by taking a balanced approach to issues or topics, people end up debating the extreme positions on both sides. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa (18:07) to discuss his book "Culturally Responsive Sch...
April 5, 2021
Happiness Booster | Lee Ann Jung | Habits of Learning
In Don't @ Me (2:37), Tom, as a counter to last week, identifies the most efficient and effective happiness booster. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Lee Ann Jung (14:37) to discuss sound assessment practices within the Universal Design for Learning framew...
March 29, 2021
Happiness Killer | Defining Success | Transcripts
In Don't @ Me (2:16), Tom identifies the most efficient and effective happiness killer. Then (15:11) hear how the first 24 guests have answered the question, "What's your definition of success?" Finally, in Assessment Corner (37:02), Tom describes wh...
March 22, 2021
Relentless Outrage | Matt Townsley | Leading Change in Assessment (2)
In Don't @ Me (1:24), Tom takes aim at the relentlessly outraged and details why we are all at risk of losing all perspective, resiliency, individuality, & common-sense. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Matt Townsley (15:30) to discuss the implementation o...
March 15, 2021
Happy for Others | Peter DeWitt | Leading Change in Assessment
In Don't @ Me (2:45), Tom examines the question of why it's so hard for us to be happy for others. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Peter DeWitt (17:38) to discuss what it means to be an instructional leader. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:19:07), Tom us...
March 8, 2021
Defending vs Defensive | Alexa Schmid | Normative Tendencies
In Don't @ Me (3:51), Tom outlines the challenges we face when deciding whether someone is defending themselves or being defensive. Then, Tom is joined by Alexa Schmid (16:42), Middle School Principal at the International School of Kenya, to discuss ...
March 1, 2021
Introspection Illusions | Natalie Conway | Consumable Report Cards?
In Don't @ Me (2:13), Tom highlights the psychological phenomenon of "introspection illusion" (via Dr. Emily Pronin) and talks about its impact on both our disagreements with colleagues and on student self-reflection. Then, Tom is joined by Natalie C...
Feb. 26, 2021
BONUS: Standardized Testing with Tom Guskey
In this bonus episode, Tom is joined by Tom Guskey to discuss the recent decision by the Biden Administration to mandate that standardized tests proceed this spring. The conversation focuses on this acute decision and standardized tests in general.
T...
Feb. 22, 2021
Defending EduSpeak | Trevor MacKenzie | Self-Reflection
In Don't @ Me (2:05) Tom takes aim at those who (wrongly) use the terms like "EduSpeak" or "Buzzword" to refer to important, research-validated processes. Then, Tom is joined by Trevor MacKenzie (10:02) to discuss inquiry-based learning and how to br...
Feb. 15, 2021
Allure of Labels | Starr Sackstein | Multiple-Choice
In Don't @ Me (1:34) Tom shares his thoughts on why (now more than ever) people use labels to undercut the credibility of those with whom they disagree. Then, Tom is joined by Starr Sackstein (10:48) to discuss her assessment journey and her quest to...
Feb. 9, 2021
Experience for Nuance | Jay McTighe | Assessing Creativity
In Don't @ Me (6:18) Tom examines the strange relationship some educators have with research and suggests that our experience be used to add the nuances of implementation. Then, Tom is joined by Jay McTighe (15:15) to discuss "Designing Authentic Per...
Feb. 1, 2021
Learning Loss Illusion | Shauna Brown | Net-Zero Grading Reform
In Don't @ Me (2:50) Tom explains why he's done talking about the "COVID learning loss" and why rich, engaging opportunities now are all students need going forward; that "catching-up" is a manufactured narrative. Then Tom is joined by Shauna Brown (...