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

Spoiler Rules | Lindsay Titus | Sustaining Change

Monday Aug 29, 2022

Monday Aug 29, 2022

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 that comes with any school year. Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (51:46), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about how to sustain change efforts in assessment & grading.

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

Teaching Still Matters | Lainie Rowell | Leadership Blindspots

Monday Aug 15, 2022

Monday Aug 15, 2022

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 Practices in Learning Communities That Make a Big Difference with Kids, Peers, and the World."  Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (57:11), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about some Leadership Blindspots when it comes to leading the efforts to create a new assessment and grading paradigm in a school.

 

NEW BOOKS BY TOM:

 

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

We Must Listen | Nathan Wear | Gradeless vs Grade Less

Monday Aug 01, 2022

Monday Aug 01, 2022

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 Matter: Standards-Based Grading in a Secondary PLC at Work."  Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (52:13), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about whether it's "Gradeless" or "Grade Less."

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

Friends like Family | Gholdy Muhammad | Assessing Competencies

Monday Jul 18, 2022

Monday Jul 18, 2022

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 Historically Responsive Literacy."  Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (46:40), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about how to assess 21st-century competencies.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

Tales from MTL | Tyrone McNeil | Assessment Analogies

Monday Jul 04, 2022

Monday Jul 04, 2022

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 & Nat" (1:04:56), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about some effective analogies that help clarify some complex assessment topics.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

 

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

What’s a Majority? | Zaretta Hammond | Non-Negotiables v Philosophy

Monday Jun 20, 2022

Monday Jun 20, 2022

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 the Brain." Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (1:03:29), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about what aspects of assessment and grading are non-negotiable, and which aspects allow for some philosophical choices.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

 

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

  • Student Agency Institute 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

I Was Tested | Andrea Samadi | Where to Begin

Monday Jun 06, 2022

Monday Jun 06, 2022

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 Meets SEL" podcast host Andrea Samadi (27:14) to discuss how SEL competencies positively impact the brain and the physiological development in children and youth. Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (1:01:47), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about where to begin if you're leading a reform effort in assessment & grading.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

 

 

  • Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

 

 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

  • Student Agency Institute 

 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

Negative Self-Talk | Rick Jetter | Assess THAT!

Monday May 23, 2022

Monday May 23, 2022

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 why students remember their teachers, sometimes forever. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:03:10), Tom and a special guest co-host talk about what we might underestimate and overestimate in terms of leading change in assessment & grading.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

 

  • Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

 

  • Student Agency Institute 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

 

Read more

Allowed an Opinion? | Robert Cobbs | What Are You Assessing?

Monday May 09, 2022

Monday May 09, 2022

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 Rico and why he founded the non-profit Tech My School. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:03:10), Tom answers a listener question that has both a literacy and assessment side to it.

.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

 

  • Teach Better Conference 

 

  • Student Agency Institute 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

Read more

BeReal with Me | Mike Mattos | 3 Strikes in Grading Reform

Monday May 02, 2022

Monday May 02, 2022

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, in Assessment Corner (58:40), Tom outlines 3 strikes in grading reform that he wants every school to avoid.

.

 

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

 

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

 

  • Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

 

  • Teach Better Conference 

 

  • Student Agency Institute 

 

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

Read more
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