Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)
 

Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

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Assess THAT with Tom & Nat is a bi-weekly podcast where co-hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack what it really means to deepen assessment literacy in schools. Known for their dynamic, insightful, and sometimes provocative conversations, Tom and Nat create a space where educators can rethink grading, feedback, and accountability in ways that put student learning first. Each episode blends practical strategies with big-picture thinking, helping teachers and leaders translate research into action without losing sight of the human side of education.

Listeners can expect honest discussions, fresh perspectives, and plenty of take-home ideas. From reimagining final exams to exploring the role of assessment in equity and Universal Design for Learning, Assess THAT is for any educator ready to challenge the status quo and embrace assessment as a tool for growth—not just measurement.

About the Hosts
Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso are internationally recognized speakers, authors, and consultants who have spent their careers helping schools modernize assessment and grading practices. Together, they are the co-founders of the Canadian Assessment Centre (CAC), a national professional learning hub created by Canadians, for Canadians to bring clarity, credibility, and care to assessment in classrooms across the country.

  • Tom Schimmer is the author and co-author of multiple best-selling books, including Grading from the Inside Out and Standards-Based Learning in Action. With 35 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and consultant, Tom is known for his ability to translate big ideas into practical tools educators can use right away.

  • Natalie Vardabasso is a leading voice in assessment and equity, recognized for her innovative approaches to standards-based learning, feedback, and student agency. As a speaker, writer, and coach, she has helped thousands of educators create assessment systems that are not only accurate but also deeply humanizing.

Together, Tom and Natalie bring complementary perspectives, humour, and a deep commitment to making assessment meaningful. Their partnership in Assess THAT and at the Canadian Assessment Centre reflects a shared belief that when educators improve how they assess, they unlock the full potential of every learner.

Tom and Natalie are also the authors of Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Learning Through Storytelling, a book that challenges traditional grading systems and shows how assessment can honour student voice and identity.

Why Listen?
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or policy maker, Assess THAT with Tom & Nat will challenge your assumptions, equip you with actionable strategies, and inspire you to see assessment as the most powerful driver of student success.

Episodes

[TSP Classic] John Hattie (October 2022)

Wednesday Aug 14, 2024

Wednesday Aug 14, 2024

OCTOBER 2022: Tom was joined by Dr. John Hattie for a conversation about his Visible Learning research.

 

 

UYES PODCAST

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

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[TSP Classic] Yvette Jackson (May 2021)

Monday Jul 15, 2024

Monday Jul 15, 2024

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.
  • Email Yvette Jackson: DRJNUA@aol.com
  • National Urban Alliance: www.nuatc.org

 

 

UYES PODCAST

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

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INTRODUCING: UYES Podcast with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso

Saturday Jul 13, 2024

Saturday Jul 13, 2024

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 questions, then this new podcast from Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso is for you! In each episode, Tom & Nat want to share their wisdom & experiences of leaving their jobs and building learning-based businesses as authors, speakers, and consultants. 

If you are ready to leap but need support, subscribe below and let's get started!

 

Subscribe to the UYES Podcast

 

Follow Tom Schimmer on LinkedIn

Follow Natalie Vardabasso on LinkedIn

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[TSP Classic] Zaretta Hammond (June 2022)

Monday Jul 08, 2024

Monday Jul 08, 2024

JUNE 2022: Tom was joined by author Zaretta Hammond to discuss her 2015 book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain."

 

 

UYES PODCAST

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

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I'm Back | Paula Maeker | UYES!

Friday Jun 21, 2024

Friday Jun 21, 2024

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. Finally, Tom shares the trailer (52:55) for a new business/podcast venture called "UYES with Tom & Nat!" It's a podcast that helps stifled employees Unleash their Entrepreneurial Spirit - UYES!

 

UYES PODCAST

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

Elevate Your Moments | Ashley Aoki | Assessment Pressure

Monday Jan 15, 2024

Monday Jan 15, 2024

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 Inquiry." Finally, in Assessment Corner (56:34), Tom discusses what we need to examine and do when students feel a disproportionate amount of pressure when being assessed.

 

EMPOWERMENT ECOSYSTEM

✨Check out the website for schedules, locations and to register: empowermentecosystem.com/summit

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

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

 

 

EMPOWERMENT ECOSYSTEM

✨Check out the website for schedules, locations and to register: empowermentecosystem.com/summit

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

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. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

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.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

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

 

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more
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