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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.
Episodes

Monday Dec 11, 2023
BONUS: Assessment, Change, & Mindset through Story (w/ Natalie Vardabasso)
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
In this bonus crossover episode, Tom is joined by co-author Natalie Vardabasso to discuss their upcoming book "Rehumanizing Assessment through Story." This led to further conversations about the power of stories:
- Assessment through Story (1:50)
- Change through Story (22:46)
- Mindset through Story (36:23)
CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO
- Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso
- Natalie on Instagram: @natabasso
- EduCrush on Twitter: @educrushpod
- EduCrush Podcast: #EduCrush on Apple
EMPOWERMENT ECOSYSTEM
✨Check out the website for schedules, locations and to register: empowermentecosystem.com/summit
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Oct 09, 2023
Why Not Me? | Jon Orr | Implementation Errors
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
In the Mindset Minute (1:58), Tom shares the mantra "Why not me?" as one way of trying to combat imposter syndrome. Then (5:50) Tom is joined by Math expert and podcast host Jon Orr to discuss the state of the Math Wars and all things mathematics. Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:35), Tom discusses why it's important for us to distinguish between the non-negotiables of change and implementation errors.
- Jon on "X" (Twitter)
- MMM on"X" (Twitter)
- Jon on Instagram
- MMM on Instagram
- MMM on Facebook
- MMM on LinkedIn
- MMM - Podcast
- www.makemathmoments.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Sep 25, 2023
Allow the Negative | Alex Kajitani | Assessment Dilemma
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
In the Mindset Minute (1:53), Tom shares his thoughts on why we must allow our negative thoughts to flow through us. Then (6:18) Tom is joined by author, speaker, and trapping Mathematician Alex Kajitani to discuss his latest book, "Owning It: Proven Strategies to Ace and Embrace Teaching. Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:20), Tom discusses a common assessment dilemma.
- Alex on "X" (Twitter)
- Alex on Facebook
- Alex on Instagram
- www.alexkajitani.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Sep 11, 2023
Act Toward | Discipline as Noun | Judge Holistically
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Mindset Minute (2:11) focuses on why we need to "act toward" what we want. Then (5:35), Tom describes how his view of school discipline evolved to one where "discipline" is something we help students become, not what we do to them. Finally, in Assessment Corner (17:47), Tom suggests that when we assess for the summative purpose, we need to judge holistically.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Tom on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Aug 28, 2023
Act as If | Relationships through Learning | Levels to %
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Mindset Minute (2:23) focuses on the concept of "act as if" where we create present emotions that match how we want to feel when what we want manifests. Then (7:24), Tom asserts that building relationships with students comes through their learning, not before. Finally, in Assessment Corner (17:44), Tom answers a listener's question about converting proficiency levels to percentage-based grades.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Tom on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Aug 07, 2023
Spot Upfront | Cale Birk | Know Your Purpose
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
In the Mindset Minute (2:13), Tom shares a mantra that he's used to create a mindset that everything always works out for him. Then (6:06) Tom is joined by author, speaker, and friend Cale Birk to talk about why leaders need to plan for impact, not just change. Finally, in Assessment Corner (44:01), Tom reminds listeners about the importance of knowing your assessment purpose in advance of any assessment.
- Cale on "X" (Twitter)
- Cale on Facebook
- Cale on Instagram
- Cale on LinkedIn
- www.birklearns.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Jul 24, 2023
Biology of Belief | Nikta Afonso | Time to Pushback
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
In the Mindset Minute (2:36) Tom highlights the book, “The Biology of Belief” by Dr. Bruce Lipton. It is one of the most influential books in terms of Tom’s mindset and outlook on life. Then (8:36) Tom is joined by singer, songwriter, and former student Nikita Afonso to talk about her growing music career. Finally, in Assessment Corner (44:51), Tom asserts that it’s time to ask those who resist assessment and grading reform to substantiate their resistance with research, not just their opinion.
- Nikita on Facebook
- Nikita on Instagram
- www.nikitaafonso.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday Jul 10, 2023
Mindset Minute | Julie Schmidt Hasson | Now is the Time
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
In the Mindset Minute (2:22) - a new segment - Tom asserts that the power of positive thinking is as much about the present as it is about the future. Then (6:35) Tom is joined by educator and author Julie Schmidt Hasson to discuss her latest offering, "Pause, Ponder, and Persist in the Classroom: How Teachers Turn Challenges into Opportunities for Impact." Finally, in Assessment Corner (44:48), Tom makes the case for why now - the summer - is the perfect time to build your assessment literacy.
- Julie on Twitter
- Julie on Instagram
- Julie on LinkedIn
- Chalk & Chances on Facebook
- www.chalkandchances.com
- "Pause, Poner, & Persist"
- "Safe, Seen, & Stretched"
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
BONUS: New BC Reporting Order
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
In this bonus episode, Tom offers his perspective on the New Reporting Order in British Columbia set to be implemented in the 2023-24 school year. In PART 1, Tom highlights the backstory and development (and poor messaging) surrounding the implementation of the new curriculum when it was first developed several years ago. In PART 2 (15:15), Tom takes aim at the obsession some have with percentage-based grading and why it is an unreliable, inaccurate, and incomplete way of assessing. In PART 3 (35:04), Tom offers his critiques of the new reporting order, specifically at the assertion made in documents to families from the BC Ministry of Education that "Proficient is the goal for your child" and that "Extending is not the goal for all students in every area of learning."
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com

Monday May 22, 2023
Reset on Failure | Dylan Wiliam (Pt. 2) | Fake Grading War
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
In Don’t @ Me (2:31), Tom opens with an assertion that it's time for a collective societal reset on what it means to fail. Then (12:24) Tom is once again joined by Dylan Wiliam for part 2 of a conversation about classroom assessment. Finally, in Assessment Corner (59:04), Tom provides some commentary on the Fake Grading War created by by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne.
- Dylan on Twitter
- Dylan on LinkedIn
- www.dylanwiliam.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Assessment Center Institute
- Las Vegas, NV (May 24-26).
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Jonesboro, AR (Sep. 25-26)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- Charleston, SC (Oct. 11-12)
- Standards-Based Learning in Action
- Seattle, WA (Oct. 16-17)
- Grading from the Inside Out
- St. Louis, MO (Dec. 6-7)
NEW BOOKS BY TOM:
CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER
- Podcast on Twitter
- Tom on Twitter
- Podcast on Instagram
- Podcast on TikTok
- Podcast on Facebook
- www.tomschimmer.com
- Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com