Shows
Unleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, MindsetIntroducing... From Crickets to Clients! Are you a K–12 consultant tired of hustling, posting, and hearing nothing but crickets? In this limited series, From Crickets to Clients, Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso pull back the curtain on the exact systems that took them from side hustling to a combined yearly revenue of nearly 7-figures in their education consulting businesses. Across 5 progressive episodes, you’ll learn: The 3 systems that help you scale 10x faster The $100K webinar framework (and how to steal it) The social posts that consistently landed clients How to run sales calls that conver...2025-07-3001 min
Unleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset28 – If We Were Starting A Business From Scratch This Fall, We'd Do ThisBack-to-school energy hits different when you know you’ve outgrown your role. But what if this was the year you finally started your consulting business — for real? In this episode, we’re sharing the five things we’d do if we were starting from scratch this fall:✅ The mindset shift that changes everything✅ The habit that builds unstoppable momentum✅ The system we wish we built sooner✅ The easiest offer to launch before the holidays✅ The biggest mistake that keeps educators stuck If you’re ready to stop swirling and start moving, this e...2025-07-2138 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset27 – The Receipts That Get You BookedThink you need a fancy title, a website, or another degree to get hired as a consultant or speaker? Think again. In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually builds credibility, and spoiler alert: it’s not your credentials. It’s your receipts. You’ll learn:🎯 What receipts are (and why they matter more than your résumé)🧠 The 4 types of receipts that get you booked as a consultant or speaker🙌 How to uncover and leverage your real-world impact to become in-demand Whether you’re already sharing your work or still sitting on y...2025-07-0736 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset26 – From Terrified to Post to Leading a Thriving Online CommunityThey were terrified to be seen online. Now they’re building a brand that’s impossible to ignore. In this episode, we sit down with Kristy Cognata and Lauren Staats, two instructional coaches who turned their fear of visibility into a thriving business. When we first met them, even the thought of sharing their names online made them panic. Today? They're confidently posting on LinkedIn, building an engaged community, and launching their first group offer for instructional coaches under their new brand, Lime Lotus. We talk about: · What pushed them to leave the system and...2025-06-2349 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset25 – Live Coaching Call: Pricing, Selling to Individuals vs. Schools, and Social MediaWhat if you could sit in on a real coaching call and hear exactly how educators are turning their expertise into powerful, profitable businesses? In this special episode, we take you behind the scenes of the Unleash YES Bootcamp to listen in on a group call as we help four incredible clients. You’ll hear us coach them live on some of the most common questions we get: ✅ How do I price my offer so I’m not more expensive than my competitors?✅ Can I sell to individuals and schools without having to build two diff...2025-06-0948 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset24 — The 3 Biggest Mistakes Educators Make When Launching a Business You’re not stuck because you’re unqualified. You’re stuck because you’re doing things that look like business-building… but aren’t. In this episode, we break down the 3 biggest mistakes educators make when launching a learning-based business—and how to fix them before they sabotage your momentum. You’ll learn: Why selling ideas (instead of outcomes) is killing your sales How perfectionism hides behind constant rebranding and research Why all-or-nothing thinking is keeping you inconsistent and invisible We also share the story of Lauren and Kristy—two “acciden...2025-05-2638 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset23 — From Working for Free to Her First Sale: Aimée’s Journey from Instructional Coach to Entrepreneur If you’ve ever been the “go-to person” at work—but never gotten paid what you're worth—you’re going to feel deeply seen in this episode. Meet Aimée: a full-time instructional coach who spent years giving away her best ideas for free—until she realized her expertise was worth more. With no business background, and limited time outside her job, she joined our Bootcamp, got clear on her niche, designed her first offer, and made her first sale. Want to take the first step like Aimée did? Start with the Educators Business Blueprint—our 2...2025-05-1443 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset22 – The Best Launch Strategy We've Ever Used (That Nobody Talks About) If you’re stuck overthinking your business idea — constantly “too busy” to start but secretly craving a new chapter — this episode is for you. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on the exact launch strategy we used to build Unleash YES... before we had a finished offer, a polished brand, or even a website. Instead of waiting until everything was perfect, we started working with real people — what we call "guinea pig clients" — and it changed everything. Inside this episode, you'll learn:🔹 Why starting messy is smarter (and faster) than waiting to feel ready🔹...2025-04-2834 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset21 – Why Most Educators Never Start a Business (& How to Be the Exception) You’re sitting on gold—and you know it. The ideas. The passion. The vision. So why haven’t you started the business you keep dreaming about? In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on why brilliant educators stay stuck—and how you can break free. Spoiler: it’s not about skills, strategy, or having the perfect website. It’s about mindset traps you’ve been taught to see as "normal." We’re walking you through: The 5 most common mindset blocks keeping educators stuck. How to reframe each one so...2025-04-1525 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset20 – 5 Signs You're Ready for More (Even if You're Not Miserable) You don’t have to be burned out to want more. In this episode, Tom and Nat unpack the quiet ache so many educators are feeling—but don’t always name. That restless pull toward something new. That whisper of a bigger impact. That sense that even though things look good on the outside, you’ve outgrown your current role. Whether you're starting to feel stuck, secretly dreaming of something different, or wondering if it's just a season—this conversation will help you get clarity. 🎧 Inside the episode: 5 subtle signs you’re ready for more...2025-04-0138 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset19 – From Stagnation to Transformation: How to Trust Yourself & Break Free (w Jill Drader) Feeling stuck? Second-guessing every move? Wondering why life feels like a never-ending loop of “almost but not quite”? It’s not just in your head—there’s a reason you’re stuck, and today’s guest, Jill Drader, is here to break it down. Jill is a transformation strategist who has lived through the struggle—she’s faced the fear, the self-doubt, and the painful wake-up calls (aka what she calls a “two-handed shove” from the universe). In this episode, she’s pulling back the curtain on why we stay stuck, how to break the cycle, and what it really...2025-03-1746 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset18 – When They Don't Get It: Handling Pushback from Leaders, Parents & PartnersStarting your own business is exciting—but what happens when the people around you don’t understand or support your decision? Whether it’s school leaders questioning your choices, colleagues doubting your path, parents expressing concern, or even a partner who doesn’t fully buy in, pushback is an inevitable part of stepping into entrepreneurship. In this episode, Tom and Nat explore why resistance happens, what it really means, and how to navigate it without losing momentum. Drawing from their own experiences and the wisdom of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, they break down prac...2025-03-0349 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset17 – How to Find Your Clients on Social Media Posting on social media and hoping clients magically find you? That’s NOT a strategy. If you’re building from scratch, you need to go where your ideal clients are already asking for help. But here’s the secret: it’s not just about your ideal clients. To grow your business, you also need to connect with influencers in their space and allies who can amplify your message. In this episode, we break down:✅ Where to find your future clients online (even if they don’t seem to be there).✅ How to build genuine relatio...2025-02-1735 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset16 — The One Criteria for Choosing a Social Media Platform Feeling overwhelmed by social media? You’re not alone! With influencers everywhere and business gurus telling you to “be on all platforms,” it’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be everywhere—you just need to be in the right place. In this episode, Tom and Nat break down the one simple criteria that will help you choose the best social media platform for your learning-based business. They’ll share: ✅ The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when picking a platform (and how to avoid them). 2025-02-0336 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset16 – From Launch to Leaving Her Job in 6 MonthsWhat if you could leave your job and launch a thriving learning-based business in just 6 months? That’s exactly what Karley Alleyn, one of our Unleash YES Bootcamp graduates, did. In this inspiring episode, Karley shares the moment she realized it was time to take her leap, what gave her the courage to go all in, and how she turned her expertise into a sustainable business faster than she ever imagined. Whether you're dreaming about launching your business or just dipping your toes in, Karley’s story will inspire you to see what’s possible when y...2025-01-2040 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset14 – The Year in Review: 5 Lessons That We Learned in 2024Happy New Year, lightmakers! 🎉 In this reflective and inspiring episode of Unleash YES, Tom and Nat pull back the curtain on the 5 biggest lessons they learned from working with educators who took the leap into entrepreneurship in 2024. From overcoming mindset blocks to embracing simplicity and staying rooted in your unique story, this episode is packed with actionable insights, real client stories, and heartfelt reflections from Tom and Nat’s own entrepreneurial journey. What You’ll Learn:✅ The power of starting before you’re ready and embracing imperfect action.✅ Why your most profitable idea is hidden in...2025-01-0640 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset13 – The Hidden Costs of Staying StuckWhen we think about costs, we often focus on what it takes to gain something new—money, time, or effort. But what about the costs of staying exactly where you are? In this episode, we dive into the emotional, financial, relational, and health tolls of staying stuck in a job or situation that no longer serves you. From sleepless nights to strained relationships, stagnant salaries, and rising stress levels, we unpack the hidden ways indecision keeps you paying a steep price. But it’s not all doom and gloom—we also share inspiring stories of transfo...2024-12-0934 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset12 – Phys Ed Teacher Takes Control of His Career (w/ Josh Ogilvie)Are you an educator dreaming of something more but unsure how to start? This week, we sit down with Josh Ogilvie, a former Phys Ed teacher who felt the weight of misalignment in his career and took the bold step toward creating a thriving learning-based business. Josh shares the pivotal moments that inspired his leap, the strategies he used to build a successful online program, and the surprises he encountered along the way—including what turned out to be easier than he expected. Whether you're looking for clarity, courage, or practical steps to begin your own entrepreneurial jo...2024-11-2543 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset11 — Finding Your Voice: Unleashing Your Authentic Self as an Entrepreneur Ever felt like you’re holding back the real you? In this episode of Unleash YES, Tom and Natalie dive into the power of finding and owning your unique voice as an educator-turned-entrepreneur. We’re here to help you break free from the boxes that traditional roles put you in and find that authentic spark that makes you stand out. Get ready for real talk on unlearning what no longer serves you, embracing your individuality, and overcoming the fears that keep you from sharing your true self. Tune in to learn how to connect deeply with your audience and star...2024-11-1144 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset10 — Going Global: Expand Your Impact Internationally Ever feel like you’re giving everything you’ve got, only to be met with blank stares or polite nods? Like your ideas could spark real change, but no one around you is really listening? It’s not you. It’s your context. In education, the adage “there are no experts in your own backyard” unfortunately rings true. So, why not go GLOBAL instead? 💡In this episode, Tom and Nat offer real, actionable insights to: Manage overseas engagements in a way that’s sustainable and rewarding. Legally set up for international work so you can make a wider impact wit...2024-10-2845 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset09 — Nurturing a Healthy Money MindsetAre you someone who gets uncomfortable talking about money? Would you just rather…not? In this episode, Tom & Nat dive deep into transforming how you think about money. 💡 You’ll Learn How To: Shift from scarcity to abundance thinking. View money as a tool for creating greater impact. Treat money as an energy that fuels your business. Let go of limiting beliefs that hinder financial freedom. Whether you want just to be comfortable with money, period, or stretch yourself towards more abundance than you’ve ever imagined possible, this episode is for you! Resources:2024-10-1440 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset08 — 4 Immediate Confidence Boosters Feeling stuck before you even start? Overwhelmed by self-doubt? You’re not alone. In this episode, Tom & Nat are tackling that dreaded inertia head-on with 4 immediate confidence boosters designed specifically for educators like YOU, ready to launch a learning-based business. We’ll help you shake off the overwhelm and kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with actionable strategies to power up your confidence. It’s time to get out of your head and into the game—your freedom is waiting! 🔑 What You’ll Learn: How to create a support system that fuels your confidence. Quick, daily wins to build momentu...2024-09-3045 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset07 — How to Sell Without SellingIn this essential episode of Unleash YES, Tom & Nat reveal how you can "sell without selling." Selling is often a four-letter word to educators. We all have the caricature of the used-car salesperson or some sleezy trickery-based approach. This creates an aversion that many educators can’t overcome. However, this episode reveals the mindsets and strategies that turn sales into an empathy-based process that allows your business offering to serve an authentic need in the market. There is no business without sales, but sales don’t have to involve "selling." Are you ready to transform your f...2024-09-1633 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset06 — Conquer Self Doubt: A Psychological Framework to Silence Your Inner CriticJoin Tom and Nat on this transformative episode of Unleash YES as they dive into powerful psychological tools to silence your inner critic. Designed specifically for educators, this episode unveils strategies to conquer self-doubt and ignite the courage to launch your learning-based business. Ready to turn fear into confidence and make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality? Tune in for practical insights and actionable steps that will empower you to take the leap and unleash your full potential! Resources: >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is R...2024-08-3034 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset05 — The SECRET to Becoming an AuthorIn this episode, Tom and Nat reveal the secret ingredients to becoming a successful author, including a viral topic, attracting a publisher, and producing a final manuscript. Resources: >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? >> Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso specialize in helping educators to launch and grow their learning-based business. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Lin...2024-08-1636 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset04 — Finding Your Niche MarketFirst of all, the pronunciation is NEESH (it’s French, people). In this episode, you’ll learn the definition of a niche, why it’s important (especially in marketing), how niche is too niche, and two powerful strategies to start finding one of your own. Resources: >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? >> Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso specialize in helping educators to launch and grow their learning-based business. Co...2024-08-0237 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset03 — What is a Learning-Based Business?In this episode, Tom and Nat break down six models that your learning-based business can use to turn your expertise into income; three of the models are in-person, and three are fully online. Resources: >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? >> Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso specialize in helping educators to launch and grow their learning-based business. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin 2024-07-1940 min
Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)INTRODUCING: UYES Podcast with Tom Schimmer & Natalie VardabassoAre 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 s...2024-07-1302 min
The Tom Schimmer PodcastINTRODUCING: UYES Podcast with Tom Schimmer & Natalie VardabassoAre 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 Po...2024-07-1303 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset02 — Five Lies That Stalled Our SuccessTom and Nat discuss the stories they used to tell themselves when they first embarked on becoming a solopreneur and discuss how they learned their beliefs were not true. For each limiting belief, they offer a mindset reframe based on their experiences so that you can gain the mental clarity to accelerate your success. Resources: >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? >> Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso specialize in helping...2024-07-0638 min
Aspire to Lead295. Assessment through the Lens of Story: Featuring Natalie VardabassoIn this brilliant conversation on assessment and standards based grading, we explore the vital connection between student wellness and assessment with special guest Natalie Vardabasso. We delve into planting a seed of change regarding shifting perspectives on assessment, exploring practical starting points for standards-based grading, and examining the intricate relationship between student emotional wellness and assessment. Additionally, Natalie shares exciting details about her new book and latest podcast with the wonderful Tom Schimmer. Don't miss this enriching conversation packed with valuable insights for educators and administrators!
About Natalie Vardabasso:
Natalie is an e...2024-06-3035 min
#EduCrushIntroducing...Unleash YES with Tom & Nat!This new podcast from Natalie Vardabasso with co-host Tom Schimmer will help you leave the politics of your job behind and experience the freedom of becoming your own boss. →Use this link to subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify, or Google Podcasts!2024-06-2103 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, Mindset01 — Welcome to Unleash YES!Learn more about Tom and Natalie's journey from employee to entrepreneur, why they made this podcast, and who it's for (and NOT for). Resources: >> Learn More About the Unleash YES Bootcamp! >> Quiz: Which Learning-Based Business Model is Right for Me? >> Starter Guide: The First 6 Steps to Launch Your Learning-Based Business Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso specialize in helping educators to launch and grow their learning-based business. Connect with Tom & Nat: >> Follow Tom on Linkedin >> Follow Nat on Linkedin >> Follow @unleashyes on I...2024-06-2139 minUnleash YES (Your Entrepreneurial Spirit) with Tom Schimmer & Natalie Vardabasso — Business, Education, MindsetIntroducing...Unleash YES with Tom & Nat!A new podcast to help you find the courage to quit your job and launch a learning-based business! Hosted by two former educational leaders turned full-time speakers, authors, and online course creators. 2024-06-1303 min
Teachers on FireLEAD an ASSESSMENT REVOLUTION: A Conversation with NATALIE VARDABASSO🔥 What’s the purpose of assessment? 🔥 How can we rehumanize assessment through story? 🔥 What does it take to lead an assessment revolution in our schools? Join me for this conversation with NATALIE VARDABASSO as she shares her insights. ABOUT THIS GUEST: Natalie has served as a high school and middle school teacher, instructional coach, and an assessment lead. Today, she’s an assessment speaker, consultant, author, and podcaster. She’s also the founder of The Empowerment Ecosystem, an online community that amplifies the impact of change agents in the K-12 education system. You can follow Natalie on Linkedin, on X and Instagram...2024-06-0235 min
#EduCrushHacking Parent Communication (w Crystal Frommert)✊ Check out the website for the Empowerment Ecosystem Summit for the schedule, locations, and details on how to register! Parent communication isn’t the sexiest part of our jobs, but that doesn’t make it any less critical. Natalie is joined by Crystal Frommert, author of “When Calling Parents isn’t your Calling,” to discuss strategies to proactively partner with parents and how to assert ourselves when communication crosses into disrespectful territory. Show Notes: Whenever possible, we should lean towards verbal rather than written, digital communication. Many of us are nervous about talking to parents beca...2024-02-2651 min
Cross-polliNationEducating for the Future with Nathalie VardabassoEducation as you know it is old school. Educational designer Natalie Vardabasso talks innovation & education. She tells us how education can better prepare students for the future & what changes are driving a need for new, more creative, equitable & practical approaches in education. Episode 372024-02-0135 min
Living On The Edge of Chaos193: Rethinking Education and Embracing Imperfection: Insights from Natalie VardabassoTakeawaysStories are a powerful way to make sense of the world and navigate chaos.Self-reflection is essential for personal and professional growth.Taking action and building habits are key to achieving goals.Overcoming perfectionism and embracing imperfection is crucial for progress.Martyrdom and neglecting self-care can hinder personal and professional success.Rethinking assessment in education can lead to more meaningful and effective learning experiences.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Season Overview01:30 The Power of Stories03:13 Natalie Vardabasso's Background and Work04:21 The Process of Writing a Book2024-01-3050 min
#EduCrushAssessment Identity (w Karley Alleyn)✨Join us at the 2024 Empowerment Ecosystem Summit! Assessment and identity might not seem like a logical pairing on the surface, but they are a powerhouse combo for learning and professional growth. Everyone has an assessment story that we carry into the school space and those experiences determine what we believe to be true about ourselves, learners, and learning. Today Natalie reconnects with her childhood friend, Karley Alleyn, to explore the shared childhood experience that was fundamental to their assessment identities and what Karley learned about the role of au...2024-01-2950 min
#EduCrushLet go of limiting BS and transform your life✨Join us at the 2024 Empowerment Ecosystem Summit! Sometimes, our focus on external change is just a reflection of the deeper changes we know we're avoiding in ourselves. Go read that again. Join Natalie for a solo episode to seize the new year and finally let go of the toxic habits, patterns, and relationships in your life to manifest your deepest desires. And no, manifesting isn’t magic, it’s science. Learn the biological basis for this powerhouse practice and a three-step process to apply it to your own life. 💬 Continue the conversatio...2024-01-1532 min
The Tom Schimmer PodcastBONUS: Assessment, Change, & Mindset through Story (w/ Natalie Vardabasso)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: @natabassoNatalie on Instagram: @natabassoEduCrush on Twitter: @educrushpodEduCrush Podcast: #EduCrush on Apple EMPOWERMENT ECOSYSTEM ✨Check out the website for schedules, locations and to register: empowermentecosystem.com/summit NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW) "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading" "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment" CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER Podcast on TwitterTom on...2023-12-1152 min
Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)BONUS: Assessment, Change, & Mindset through Story (w/ Natalie Vardabasso)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:
"Redefinin...2023-12-1152 min
#EduCrushAssessment, Change and Mindset through Story (w Tom Schimmer)In this crossover episode, Natalie joins fellow podcast host and co-author, Tom Schimmer, to discuss how story is critical to rehumanize assessment, embrace the messiness of change, and to cultivate the mindset necessary for inner peace. 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram 💬 Continue the conversation with Tom on Twitter or Instagram ✊ Join our Facebook group for community, connection and allies. ✨ Check out the website for the Empowerment Ecosystem Summit for the schedule, locations, and details on how to register! Show Notes:2023-12-1156 min
#EduCrushThe Goal of Inclusion, is to Not Need Inclusion (w Dr. Shelley Moore)As soon as we say the word inclusion, there’s an exclusion. Designing an education system that is grounded in the mindset that all students belong and are capable of high levels of learning is the real goal. Dr. Shelley Moore joins Natalie to talk about what inclusion means to her and how we can make change through collaboration, standards-based approaches, and stories. 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram 💬 Continue the conversation with Alex on Twitter or Instagram 💬 Continue the conversation with Shelley on Twitter or Instagram...2023-11-271h 02
#EduCrushFrom Science Teacher to STEM School Founder (w Stephanie Lammlein)Fasten your seatbelts as Natalie takes you on a journey through the inception, challenges, and triumphs of Bio-Med Science Academy with its founder, Stephanie Lammlein. They explore how she turned a bold vision into reality, how the students are thriving in this educational ecosystem and the impact it's making on the rural community it serves. 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram 💬 Continue the conversation with Stephanie on Twitter or Linkedin ✊ Join our Facebook group for community, connection and allies. 📅 Register for Natalie's two-day grading...2023-11-1351 min
#EduCrushFive Culture Fixes for SchoolsIn this solo episode, Natalie honors the Halloween season by describing five ghastly ghouls haunting our schools: phantom policies, zombie meetings, dementor processes, and the control and avoidance poltergeists. Learn what they are and how to defeat them! 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram 🎧Listen to the podcast episode that inspired this episode: “Slaying your Organizational Debt Monster.” 🎥Watch Rodney Evans describe organizational debt. ✊ Join our Facebook group for community, connection and allies. ✨Get on the list for advance tickets for the...2023-10-3032 min
The Out of the Trenches PodcastEpisode #265:Natalie VardabassoNatalie is an Education Consultant, Speaker, Podcast Host who has served as a high school and middle school teacher, instructional coach, and assessment lead in a K-12 context where she lead her community through assessment and grading transformation. Her mission is to reimagine education through a liberating praxis and she is currently doing that as a full-time consultant, host of the #EduCrush podcast and by founding a program called the Empowerment Ecosystem that helps the “middle children” of education to step into their power as visionary catalysts.
Find Natalie online on Twitter: @natabasso IG: @natabasso
Webs...2023-10-0532 min
#EduCrushAre you an EduPreneur? (w Dr. Will Deyamport III)Where is the space for entrepreneurship in education? How might visionary educators expand their impact outside the four walls of their classroom and school? Dr. Will joins Natalie to discuss what an EduPreneur is and how we can disrupt our limiting beliefs around money and worthiness to become one. Show Notes: Dr. Will’s mission in education is to fill the “hope gap" An EduPreneur is someone who wants to make a greater impact in education without being confined by the rules of the system. Breaking through limiting money mindsets means recognizing our value and owning it. ...2023-10-021h 05
The Embrace the Messy Podcast with Shannon Schinkel2 - Natalie Vardabasso Embraces the MessyIn this episode, Shannon interviews Natalie Vardasso. Natalie is an educator, Solution Tree coach and speaker, and passionate learner. Driven to make education empowering for all, she has developed expertise in equitable assessment and grading practices and can break down complex topics into practical strategies to drive school improvement. In her spare time, she hosts The Educrush Podcast with Alex Noel. Natalie currently lives in Calgary, Alberta.
Before the interview, Shannon sends some love to her father, a retired teacher and source of inspiration.
You can find Natalie Vardabasso:
The Educrush Po...2023-09-251h 05
#EduCrushThe Functionality, Narrative, and Aesthetic of Design (w Christine Boos)What makes for good design? If teachers are to see themselves as learning designers, what qualities might guide their work? Join Natalie as she talks to a professional interior designer to discover parallels to teaching. Show Notes: If architects create the outside of a building, interior designers create the inside (of which decoration is only one small piece). Good design is more of a noun than a verb that includes functionality, inclusiveness, aesthetics, and a powerful user experience. There are many parallels between the qualities of good design and good teaching. Sound design principles include the us...2023-09-1852 min
#EduCrushThe time I began anew...and failed.In the season 4 opener, Natalie comes to you solo to share a story of failure that reveals an important truth about change. 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram ✊ Join our Facebook group for community, connection, and allies. ✨Download Nat's six research-based ways to INSPIRE change in assessment and grading!2023-09-0427 min
#EduCrushDecolonization Through Story (w Carolyn Roberts)What is decolonization? How is story integral to it? How might we all become better at receiving and telling stories? Natalie joins Indigenous scholar, teacher and changemaker Carolyn Roberts to discuss circle work, deep listening, performative allyship and finding our voices. Carolyn’s Blog Post, “It’s about representation: Let’s talk about The Outsiders and Animal Farm.” Carolyn’s Podcast Series, “Walking in Relation” Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram Follow Carolyn: Twitter | Website Show Notes Why stories and circles are inherently decol...2023-06-261h 03
#EduCrushWhat if students took a stand against racism? (w Harsh, Victoria, Chris & Katie)Who is the greatest lever for change in our education system? Teachers? Parents? Students? In this episode, Natalie connects with three former students and their mentor teacher from Prince George, Canada, to explore how students can become visionary catalysts who spark learning in an entire community. Video #1 - Stories and Experiences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=PyX81hRIVgA#dialog&ab_channel=SchoolDistrictNo.57 Video #2 - Impact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=7Q00FZfoqjM&ab_channel=SchoolDistrictNo.57 Video #3 - Hope and Allyship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v...2023-06-121h 04
#EduCrushBuilding Community by Telling the Story of Us (w Melody McAllister)What is community? How do we build it, and break it? Who are we as a wider education community? Natalie connects with former teacher and current community engagement strategist, Melody McAllister, to unpack the complexities of both youth and adult communities in the age of social media. Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowermentecosystem Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram Follow Melody: Twitter | Instagramv | LinkedIn Email: hello@educrushpod.com Show Notes: · Melody’s education journey thus far. (6:25) · ...2023-05-291h 03
#EduCrush#EESummit23 Debrief (w Katie White & Tom Schimmer)Fresh off the first-ever Empowerment Ecosystem Summit in Vancouver, BC, Natalie sits down with co-hosts Katie White and Tom Schimmer to reflect on highlights, insights, and next steps for the innovative event. Show Notes: · What’s sticking with each of us immediately after the event. (10:25) · Rethinking the concept of the “middle” in education and how tension shows up in creative work. (19:45) · Tweaks to the event design to better meet the vision. (23:30) · Moments that will stick with us. (27:00) Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram 2023-05-1540 min
#EduCrushCross Curricular Conversations to Energize Your TimeThis week we further explore what we started in Ep 72, where Natalie and Alex talked about what it means to “craft a public narrative” in education. Welcome to part of Alex’s public Narrative. “Cross Curricular Conversations to energize your time.” Don’t forget to sign up the Empowerment Ecosystem Summit! https://sites.google.com/view/empowermentecosystemsummit/home Alex on Twitter: @MrAlexNoel Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod Links Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3b3q7KO62YBCDgRdvBwtg...2023-04-2437 min
#EduCrushWhat is the future of education?This season, we have explored many stories of education here in the present, but what is the future of education? Join Natalie to play within two future simulations that will stretch your capacity to discover creative opportunities, today. Empowerment Ecosystem Summit website: https://sites.google.com/view/empowermentecosystemsummit/home Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram Email: hello@educrushpod.com Show Notes: · When does the future start? (4:45) · Jane McGonigal, SuperStruct, and the power of a future simulation to build our capacity for creativity today. (7:00)2023-04-1738 min
#EduCrushPerforming Gender Scripts in Schools (w Jason Ablin)Throughout history, we have told the story of girls as precious eggs and boys as kept princes. However, as we begin to explore gender identity as a spectrum rather than a binary, it’s time to update this narrative and that begins with interrogating the scripts we perform when talking to students. Author, speaker and gender awareness coach, Jason Ablin, joins Natalie to unpack this gender equation in schools and uncover how it is impacting literacy and numeracy achievement. Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow Jason: Twitter | Website Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram ...2023-03-0655 min
#EduCrushCrafting a Public NarrativeA public narrative is a framework to help us craft a story that inspires others to take action. In this “coaching call” episode, Natalie walks Alex through the creation of his own public narrative for a cause he is passionate about. Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow Alex: Twitter Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram Email: hello@educrushpod.com Show Notes: Unpacking the “public narrative” framework as designed by Marshall Ganz. (3:30) Clarifying the story of now and a specific call to action. (13:20) Finding empathy with high school teachers in the sto...2023-02-201h 10
#EduCrushThe Inspiring History of Rebel Black Communities (w Dr. Crystal Menzies)Stories are a powerful tool for liberation when we see ourselves in a character that demonstrates ingenuity and creativity on their quest for freedom. In particular, the stories of rebel Black communities can inspire our youth today when they are told alongside stories that describe historical violence and oppression. Dr. Crystal Menzies is a qualitative researcher and entrepreneur on a mission to uncover the hidden history of Black folks. She joins Natalie to tell the story of Maroon communities and how she is likewise on a quest to discover liberated spaces outside of the limitations of schools and organizations.2023-02-061h 03
#EduCrushWhat is the Empowerment Ecosystem? (w Lynnette, Kyle, and Danelle)Six months ago, Natalie quit her job to unleash her entrepreneurial spirit on a mission to reimagine education. Now, she’s back with an update about the Empowerment Ecosystem, an online program that provides the community, coaching, and tools for change agents to build an empowering assessment system. She’s joined by three founding members, Lynette Earle, Kyle Webb, and Danelle Almaraz, who share their experiences in the ecosystem. Ready to make REAL change? Book a 45-minute call with Natalie to see if the Empowerment Ecosystem is a fit for you: https://calendly.com/natabasso/60-minute-meeting Fol...2023-01-2355 min
#EduCrushThe Story of Street Data (w Shane Safir)What if qualitative evidence were amplified to the same status as quantitative data in our education system? How might our schools transform if we tapped into the rich insights that come from story, anecdotes, experience, and emotion? Shane Safir, author of “The Listening Leader” and recent co-author of “Street Data” with Jamila Dugan, joins Natalie to discuss why we need to amplify qualitative evidence to engage in equity transformation cycles, and how these cycles will radically transform our approach to pedagogy and assessment. Show Notes: How Shane’s story as a mom, daughter, and teacher in a youth pr...2023-01-0952 min
#EduCrushThe Ghosts of Grading Past, Present and a Future Yet to ComeIn this holiday special, Natalie explores the topic of grading through the lens of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Get ready for a visit from the ghosts of grading past, present and a future yet to come! Show Notes: The ghost of grading past. (2:29) The ghost of grading present. (11:05) The ghost of grading yet to come. (21:03) Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow the Podcast: Twitter | Instagram Email: hello@educrushpod.com2022-12-1932 min
#EduCrushPodSwap: Disrupt Education (w Peter Hostrawser)On this PodSwap episode, Natalie connects with Peter Hostrawser, one of the co-hosts of the Disrupt Education podcast, to talk about edu-podcasting, the industrial story of school that needs disrupting, and how Spikeview empowers students to tell their story. Show Notes: Peter’s backstory; what called him into education and what he’s doing now. (2:00) Creating a podcast to stay grounded and connected as an educator in a siloed system that won’t ask the uncomfortable questions. (7:15) The industrial story of school that we need to let go of. (12:30) How the conditioning of the industrial system makes...2022-12-1246 min
#EduCrushA New Story of Leadership, Work and Change (w Meghan Donohoe)What does a Tarot card reading have to do with leadership? How is our current story of work depressing? What are we getting wrong about change in our schools and organizations? Natalie joins Meghan Donohoe who is a Principal Catalyst at the Southern Alberta Institute for Technology to answer these questions and more! Show Notes: Reliving the “answers” we discovered during a Tarot card reading. (8:15) What a Tarot card reading had to do with leadership. (16:45) The art of staying in a space of vision and embracing multiple ways of sense-making by tapping into the Forer effect. (22:00) How...2022-12-051h 01
#EduCrushInterdisciplinary Magic in Middle Level Land (w Preston Hickert)A story about the permission, vulnerability and challenge inherent in creating an interdisciplinary middle school program. Preston Hickert is a teacher from Kansas City and he joins Natalie to share his story of “playing the mud” to learn with his students. Show Notes: Despite originally pursuing journalism and film, Preston ended up bringing a passion for storytelling to the classroom as a teacher. (6:10) Exploring the magic of the middle years. (11:30) High Tech High was the inciting incident for an interdisciplinary approach to middle school that develops human skills. (17:05) Are we rescuing kids from challenge? (24:00) Playing the mud...2022-11-2100 min
#EduCrushThe Psychology of Engagement, Agency and Learning (w Don Berg)The field of psychology offers important perspectives on topics integral to education, especially engagement, agency and learning. Teacher, author, and psychologist Don Berg joins Natalie to unpack the concept of agentic engagement and to explain what joy has to do with equity and deeper learning. Show Notes: Two things more people in education should take seriously from the field of psychology; unconscious processing and social engineering. (8:30) Unpacking the concept of “fauxchievement” and why we need to focus on learning instead. (14:45) The “good” that we want to create in schools, namely agentic engagement. (18:30) How the structure of schools...2022-11-0756 min
#EduCrushMyths, Power and the Space to Dream (w Elizabeth Lesser)Power is neutral, but how we use it determines whether it is positive or negative. The old story of power tells of dominance and control and sees it as a finite resource that must be hoarded. But, how might we rewrite the story of power to include more feminine values? Elizabeth Lesser is the author of several bestselling books, has given two popular TED talks, and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, a collection of a hundred leaders who are elevating humanity. She joins Natalie to explore the mythical stories that have defined us, how we might do...2022-10-241h 00
#EduCrushMy Assessment Story: the rise of Natalie the grade grubberBrene Brown says, "When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own them, we can write a brave new ending." Natalie's work in assessment, in many ways, has been her way of writing a "brave new ending" to her own experiences in school. In this episode, she comes to you solo to share how she broke free from perfectionism and a need for external validation to finally find her voice. Show Notes: A bold decision following the first failure on an assessment called the Mad Minute. "Did you ace it?" The dark side of gr...2022-10-1032 min
#EduCrushReality Check on the Real World (w Dr. David Finch)For too long, the “real world” has been a mythical place that only exists in schools when teachers are trying to make students do things they don’t want to do. Stories of the real world create a culture of compliance. It begs the question… what’s it really like in the world of work beyond school? Dr. David Finch is a Full Professor and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. He joins Natalie to offer his research findings on the “enabling skills” that are required in every industry for a city to be a...2022-09-2653 min
#EduCrushUngrading in a High School STEM Classroom (w Chris Sarkonak)One of the most persistent narratives of the school system is that it’s a place where students do work in exchange for grades. However, what would school look like if grades didn’t exist? Chris Sarkonak is one of many teachers involved in the grassroots movement called “ungrading” to move school away from a culture of compliance, towards a culture of authentic learning. He joins Natalie to talk about why he tried this approach in his Physics classroom, how he pulled it off, and why it helps to cultivate growth, risk-taking and confidence in learners. Show Notes:2022-09-1254 min
#EduCrushThe SECRET to rehumanizing education...Welcome to season 3 of #EduCrush! As a primer for the season, we are talking about the secret to “rehumanizing” education. It is something that we ALL do naturally, yet don’t understand very well. Learn what this powerful tool is and how it helps to elevate our consciousness, build empathy, and create a positive culture. Follow the #EduCrush podcast: Twitter | Instagram Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Email: hello@educrushpod.com Are you struggling with any of the following? Motivating learners to take ownership of their learning. Inspiring others to rethink their assess...2022-08-2929 min
The Growth Over Grades Podcast[VIDEO] Ep 4. | Natalie Vardabasso - Assessment Through StoryThank you for tuning into our Growth Over Grades Podcast where we talk about education ideas and topics that matter most to our Spaces Educator Community. Episode four involves a conversation with veteran educator and consultant, Natalie Vardabasso, whom I’ve been following for a while. Her ability to reflect, make changes, share, and grow is something that resonates with me and many other educators. Natalie is authoring a book that is about rehumanizing assessment through story. Not sure what this means? Awesome, you’re about to find out!2022-07-1935 min
The Growth Over Grades PodcastEp 4. | Natalie Vardabasso - Assessment Through StoryThank you for tuning into our Growth Over Grades Podcast where we talk about education ideas and topics that matter most to our Spaces Educator Community. Episode four involves a conversation with veteran educator and consultant, Natalie Vardabasso, whom I’ve been following for a while. Her ability to reflect, make changes, share, and grow is something that resonates with me and many other educators. Natalie is authoring a book that is about rehumanizing assessment through the story. Not sure what this means? Awesome, you’re about to find out!2022-07-1936 min
#EduCrushManaging Ambiguity to Unlock the Joy of Creativity (w Dr. Caroline Brookfield)If you were to scroll through most job postings today, you will likely see creative thinking listed as a required skill. And yet, many workplaces do not have the psychological safety for this skill to thrive. On the episode, Natalie is joined by Dr. Caroline Brookfield who is a veterinarian that discovered her passion for creativity late in life as she began to explore performance and stand-up comedy. Listen to learn about the many researched benefits of creativity for both individuals and organizations and how we can all tap into the joy of this skill by remembering the acronym...2022-06-271h 02
#EduCrushCultivating Education in a Correctional Facility (w Dawn Matthews-Nichols)Have you ever wondered if one of your students is capable of murder? Well, what if you knew that your entire class had committed violent crimes? How would you build a positive classroom culture!? Dawn Matthews-Nichols has been teaching since 1987 in a variety of settings with “emotionally disturbed” youth. She’s seen education from the margins and has some powerful advice for mainstream teachers. Show Notes: A call to action for progressive teachers wanting to amplify their impact and challenge the status quo! (1:37) Can revolutionary knowledge be held by those benefiting from the current system? (5:23) What drew D...2022-05-301h 05
#EduCrushIdentity-Affirming Curriculum for Black Youth (w Kaya Henderson)Traditional curriculum does not situate Black youth in a positive light and Kaya Henderson is on a quest to do something about it. Kaya is perhaps best known for serving as Chancellor of DC Public Schools from 2010-2016 and as the co-host of “Pod Save the People” podcast. Now, she is the co-founder and CEO of Reconstruction, a technology company delivering a K-12 supplemental curriculum that situates Black people, culture, and contributions in an authentic, identity-affirming way. In episode 44, she connects with Natalie to discuss the misconceptions about culturally-responsive teaching and how removing the barriers of the school system can...2022-05-0250 min
#EduCrushActivating Agency to Grow Readers (w Penny Kittle)Why do so many teenagers hate reading? Renowned author and Literacy advocate Penny Kittle believes it has everything to do with a lack of “book love” and that teachers have the capacity to ignite it. On the episode, she connects with Natalie to discuss how to expose students to a wide variety of books, conference to unlock the reading life, and ultimately, grow student agency by allowing them to make decisions as readers (and writers). Show Notes: An interesting fact about Penny you might not find in her Heineman bio. (4:45) Why do so many teenagers hate read...2022-04-1856 min
#EduCrushDecolonization, Love and Witnessing at Mill Bay Nature School - Pt. 1 (w Cayla Brown & Kim Ondrik)In the simplest of terms, decolonization means moving from a triangle to a circle. From a hierarchy to a community. In the episode, Natalie joins the Head Learner of the Mill Bay Nature School, Kim Ondrik, and the Smuqw’a’ (middle years) Clan Leader, Cayla Brown, to learn how they are building a decolonized school together through love and witnessing. Show Notes: Telling the story of how Kim and Cayla taught me how to show up, even when I can’t control the outcome. (1:10) Kim became an educator to try to change the system, but now finds...2022-04-041h 13
#EduCrushIntergenerational Learning, Sustainability, and Space at Mill Bay Nature School - Pt. 2 (w Cayla Brown & Kim Ondrik)We’ve all heard the adage “with age comes wisdom” but what does it mean to be wise? If we view our work as educators through the lens of sustainability and legacy, the wisest thing we might do is lift up those younger than us to continue our work long after we are gone, especially in schools. In part two of Natalie’s conversation with Cayla Brown and Kim Ondrik, we unpack these ideas further before holding space for both guests to share their biggest wonders as they continue to co-create Mill Bay Nature School. Show Notes: Why...2022-04-0454 min
#EduCrushNarrating the Learning Journey using Self-Assessment & Portfolios (w Katie White)Too often, self-assessment is treated as a capstone, rather than a catalyst, and portfolios as a scrapbook, rather than a learning tool. On this episode, we go beyond the mistakes we’ve made with self-assessment and portfolios to discover how they can help students tell the story of their learning. Katie White is a Canadian author, consultant, and leader, and she joins Natalie to discuss practical ways that students can document learning, analyze evidence, and set goals while honoring their dignity as humans. Show Notes: Katie’s story as a curious disrupter. (4:30) Tackling common misconceptions around self...2022-03-141h 00
Aspire to Lead180. Changing the Way We View Assessment: Featuring Natalie VardabassoHow will we prepare young people to thrive in this uncertain future? This week’s guest, Natalie Vardabasso, shares how educators can use assessment, equity practices and social emotional strategies to enhance student experiences, innovation, and creativity.
In this episode, we also discuss:
Equity work beyond books
The relationship between Standards Based Grading and SEL practices
And her podcast, #EduCrush!
About Natalie Vardabasso:
Previously a middle-school teacher and instructional coach, Natalie is currently the Assessment Lead at a K-12 special education school and host of the #EduCrush podcast. In her many roles, she has...2022-02-1936 min
#EduCrushThe Learning Diamond: A Mentor, a Champion, a Coach, and OurselvesThough we are learning more about the importance of human connections in schools and workplaces, which are the relationships that actually drive learning? In this solo episode, host Natalie Vardabasso explains how our relationships with a mentor, a champion, a coach, and ourselves create the optimal learning diamond. Show Notes: Defining the pinnacle of the learning diamond and guide for our hero’s journey: the mentor. (4:46) How the social norms around gender challenge the potential of mentorship. (9:00) How champions hold our hearts and show up as Marigolds in the workplace. (14:37) Why accepting champions means accepting ourselves. (19:49) Ou...2022-01-0336 min
Too Dope Teachers and a MicHabitually Disruptive Episode 9: #EduCrush’s Natalie VardabassoNatalie Vardabasso is one of my favorite education minds and overall cool humans that I’ve been lucky enough to meet. We first connected through Twitter (@natabasso) and we are truly kindred minds. This conversation happened a WHILE ago (shoutout to my doctoral program), but you all need to know her work, no matter how long it’s taken.
Nat’s Twitter: @natabasso
#EduCrush Podcast: https://educrushpod.libsyn.com/
Sponsors:
Quetzal Education Consulting: quetzalec.com
Lyons Educational Consulting: www.lyonseducationalconsulting.com
Royalty-free music, “Wasted Education” from AdobeStock
Gian...2022-01-0100 min
Too Dope Teachers and a MicHabitually Disruptive Episode 9: EduCrush's Natalie VardabassoNatalie Vardabasso is one of my favorite education minds and overall cool humans that I've been lucky enough to meet. We first connected through Twitter (@natabasso) and we are truly kindred minds. This conversation happened a WHILE ago (shoutout to my doctoral program), but you all need to know her work, no matter how long it's taken.Nat's Twitter: @natabasso#EduCrush Podcast: https://educrushpod.libsyn.com/Sponsors:Quetzal Education Consulting: quetzalec.comLyons Educational Consulting: www.lyonseducationalconsulting.com2022-01-0100 min
#EduCrushUnpacking Teacher Leadership (w Randy Swift & Pedro Dones III)What is the truth about teacher leadership? Is it an exciting opportunity to become a change agent, or, is it just another managerial manifestation of the status quo? Randy Swift and Pedro Dones III are two teacher leaders from New York who have had very different experiences in the role. On the episode, we explore their perspectives and how they have each brought their unique purpose to life as teacher leaders. Show notes: Randy and Pedro describe their current roles as teacher leaders. (4:40) The graduated program of teacher leadership in NYC that includes model teacher, peer...2021-11-151h 09
#EduCrushBONUS – EduPodlooza 2021: Poetry SlamEduPodlooza is an all-day marathon, live-stream event featuring some of the dopest names in the education podcast space. The day is filled with many different segments including round tables, a radio play, and of course, a poetry slam. The slam segment was a collaboration between the following EduPodcasters who shared their own poems and responded to poems that had been submitted digitally: Mealey & Tudisco of Unprofessional Development (@unprocast) Gerardo Munoz of Too Dope Teachers and a Mic (@TooDopeTeachers) Traci Bowder of Intelligogy (@intelligogy) Natalie Vardabasso of EduCrush (@educrushpod) Grab...2021-11-081h 02
#EduCrushCoaching Change in Schools (w Tim Lewis)Despite our best intentions, collaboration in schools often looks more like cooperation (at best), or polite dysfunction (at worst). As an NCAA div 1 basketball coach and strategic business development professional, Tim Lewis has learned a lot that can help us build the schools we’ve always dreamed of, together. On the episode we discuss teaching like a coach, unleashing teams with collective accountability, and taking the imperfect first step to make your mission statement a reality. View full show notes here! Tim on Twitter: @Tlew2022 Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com Po...2021-11-0151 min
#EduCrushProject Feature: Forest of Fright (w Leeanne McLim)In this project feature episode, we explore how drama teacher Leeanne McLim reimagined the classic “Haunted House” project in response to the pandemic. While students learned a myriad of life skills through planning, pitching, designing, and hosting the event, Leeanne discovered a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration. View full show notes here! Leeanne on Twitter: @lechiquita Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod Podcast Website: www.educrushpod.com 2021-10-2529 min
#EduCrushWhat is the literacy of our lives? (w Brent Saccucci)The 21st century demands an updated definition of literacy and an expansion of our understanding of what constitutes a “text.” For instance, how might we read and write our relationships? Our institutions? Our own thoughts? Brent Saccucci (he/they) is currently a senior school teacher at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School and Ph.D. candidate in Literacy—focusing on social, emotional, and critical literacies—at the University of Alberta where he also teaches a course in the BEd program. On the episode, we explore the relationship between social-emotional learning and lower-case "l" literacy. View full show notes her...2021-10-1847 min
The Dr. Will Show PodcastNatalie Vardabasso (@natabasso) - Podcasting and the Connected EducatorA teacher first and foremost, Natalie is currently the Assessment Lead at Calgary Academy, a K-12 special education school in Alberta, Canada. She is also the host of the EduCrush podcast that features inspiring educators, innovators, leaders and activists who are reimagining education.
______________________________________________________________________ The Edupreneur: Your Blueprint To Jumpstart And Scale Your Education BusinessYou’ve spent years in the classroom, leading PD, designing curriculum, and transforming how students learn. Now, it’s time to leverage that experience and build something for yourself. The Edupreneur isn’t just another book; it’s th...2021-09-141h 06
SYS Presents: Adventures in Online EducationS02 E03: Assessment with Natalie VardabassoNatalie Vardabasso is a special education teacher and assessment lead working at Calgary Academy, a private school in Alberta, Canada. She has extensive experience in education and has taught Jr High humanities and done some instructional design and coaching as well. She also hosts the always inspiring EduCrush Podcast. Natalie is absolutely fired up about rehumanizing education through dialogue, community, and creativity. In this episode Natalie and Natalie discuss the ins and outs of assessment and how to best use assessment tools to foster growth and enthusiasm around learning. Topics discussed include co-designing success criteria, the importance...2021-09-0338 minThe Tom Schimmer PodcastTeacher Appreciation | Natalie Vardabasso | Assessment PurposeIn 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 Instructional Design Lead at Calgary Academy and host of the EduCrush Podcast. Finally, in Assessment Corner (58:35), Tom discusses the importance of knowing your assessment purpose and why it sets up everything else throughout the assessment cycle. Natalie Vardabasso on Twitter: @natabassoEduCrush Podcast on Twitter: @educrushEduCrush Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod Achieve Virtual Institute (August 16-18, 2021) Email the...2021-05-031h 15Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)Teacher Appreciation | Natalie Vardabasso | Assessment PurposeIn 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 Instructional Design Lead at Calgary Academy and host of the EduCrush Podcast. Finally, in Assessment Corner (58:35), Tom discusses the importance of knowing your assessment purpose and why it sets up everything else throughout the assessment cycle.
Natalie Vardabasso on Twitter: @natabasso
EduCrush Podcast on Twitter: @educrush
EduCrush Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod
Achieve Virtual Institute (August 16-18, 2021)
Email the...2021-05-031h 15
The Personal Playlist PodcastP3 #157 Natalie VardabassoAs an educator, instructional designer, assessment specialist, and podcast host, Natalie has lived into her belief that learning is driven by our passions, aligned with our strengths, and at the heart of our humanity. Whether working with kids or adults, she strives to create an inclusive culture that embraces learning as the vehicle through which we find out who we are and how we might make a positive impact on the world. Natalie is currently the Assessment Instructional Design Lead for a K-12 special education school in Calgary, Alberta, and the host of the #EduCrush podcast (https://kite.link/EduCrush...2021-04-0526 min
Hurley In The Morning Highlight ReelHow Shall We Live ft. Natalie VardabassoIt was great to finish today's edition of Hurley in the Morning with Natalie Vardabasso, Calgary-based educator and host of the #EDUCrush podcast. We go deep this morning by discussing a foundational question posed by David Price a couple of weeks ago: "How shall we live?" In particular, how might this question help us begin to re-imagine how our schools might look in a post-pandemic world?2021-02-2331 minHurley In The Morning Highlight ReelEducrushing it ft. Natalie VardabassoIt was great to catch up with #Educrush Podcast host, Natalie Vardabasso. Today, we talk about Natalie's podcasting journey, some of the themes that she is observing and what she is learning about the change process.2021-01-2634 minToo Dope Teachers and a Mic82. Natalie Vardabasso of #educrushWe hope 2021 welcomes you with optimism, resolve and human connection!
By the time you're hearing this, you might have tasks to assess and grade. Don't grade anything until you've listened to this!
Gerardo sat down with Natalie Vardabasso of the #Educrush podcast a while back to discuss an important challenge faced by all teachers: feedback, grading, and antiracism. In it, we explore the intersections of those important aspects of effective classroom practice as we prepare for a new semester. Natalie's work and this episode are essential for teachers who hope to remix their grading and...2021-01-1400 min
Overthrowing EducationNatalie Vardabasso: Overhauling AssessmentsNatalie Vardabasso, a true assessment innovator and host of the #Educrush Podcast speaks with me about how we can move way beyond tests, quizzes and other traditional paradigms of assessing students to find creative and authentic ways for students to express their knowledge, actually understanding where our students are at and how we can move them forward. This episode explores the bigger philosophy behind overhauling assessments including why we should be assessing for mastery and not grades, and also delivers lots of practical ideas to inspire you. Special thanks to Natalie, who also co-wrote the fauxmercial, “Brain Sn...2020-12-1444 minOverthrowing EducationNatalie Vardabasso: Overhauling AssessmentsNatalie Vardabasso, a true assessment innovator and host of the #Educrush Podcast speaks with me about how we can move way beyond tests, quizzes and other traditional paradigms of assessing students to find creative and authentic ways for students to express their knowledge, actually understanding where our students are at and how we can move them forward. This episode explores the bigger philosophy behind overhauling assessments including why we should be assessing for mastery and not grades, and also delivers lots of practical ideas to inspire you. Special thanks to Natalie, who also co-wrote the fauxmercial, “Brain Sn...2020-12-1444 min