#EduCrush Natalie Vardabasso

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On this episode Alex discusses how the court of public opinion influences policy, ethics and our feelings about assessment.  


 

✊ 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 because of bad past experiences and deep fears of being exposed as a fraud. Parent communication in education is NOT customer service; we are professionals, not “yes” people. Strategies for proactive parent communication are meet-the-teacher nights, information nights about special events, or spontaneous positive phone calls home. A great question to ask when talking to parents about something tough is, “What suggestions do you have for me to support your child through this?” As we build our expertise, we can avoid talking about grades with parents altogether by sharing evidence of learning directly. 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram
 
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On this episode Alex interviews an expert in the community work that goes on in major cities. He has 20 years of experience working with children and youth, non-profits, schools, and families. He also happens to be my older brother, Rodney Noel.
 
 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram
 
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   Join our Facebook group for community, connection and allies.
 
Download Nat's six research-based ways to INSPIRE change in assessment and grading!

✨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 authentic mentorship in its continued development during her Masters research. 
 
Show Notes:
Natalie and Karley’s shared history of competitive rhythmic gymnastics is the foundation of their assessment identity to “please, perform, and perfect” and a focus on external rewards. Assessment identity is our understanding of assessment through our experiences as a student, educator, and as a human being.  Karley chose narrative inquiry as the method for her assessment identity research as story is the foundation of our identities. This topic is important for all educators as it is an invitation to courageously look inward and share who you truly are. Authentic mentorship opportunities, not coerced or forced partnerships, are a powerful space for educators to develop their assessment identity as they enter the profession. An important first step in exploring assessment identity is to go inward and ask, “What was my first transformative assessment experience and how has it impacted my teaching practice?” 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram
 
💬 Continue the conversation with Karley on Instagram
 
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✨Download Nat's six research-based ways to INSPIRE change in assessment and grading!
 

Happy new year! What are the things in this world that make your jaw drop? Things that are so awesome that you can’t help but get excited about it, about learning about it and experiencing it? On this episode of #Educrush, Alex explores knowledge for need, for honour and for awe as we take some time to look to the past and to space!
Links to SN 1006 because it’s awesome.
https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1308b/
https://www.nasa.gov/universe/supernova-remnant-sn-1006/
 

 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram
 
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   Join our Facebook group for community, connection and allies.
 
Download Nat's six research-based ways to INSPIRE change in assessment and grading!

✨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. 
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Show Notes:
A game of high/low for the holidays.  Natalie gets personal about the 15-year karmic cycle she’s ready to release.   The science behind manifesting as described by Dr. Bruce Lipton in “Biology of Belief.” A three-step process to tap into creative visualization and clear blocks.