#EduCrush Natalie Vardabasso

Though Starr is considered a leading voice in innovative assessment and grading practices, it didn’t start out that way. Once upon a time, she was a teacher in her classroom on the precipice of making a terrifying change. In this episode, Nat talks with Starr about how her personal growth journey triggered a change in her practices and eventually a major pivot in her career. Learn how Starr learned to let go of control and empower students so you can do the same.
Show Notes:
How doing personal, inner work sparks an openness to change and learning, like it did when Starr chose to transform her assessment and grading practices. The biggest misconception about assessment is not believing that kids are capable of being assessors on their own behalf; it’s vulnerable to release control. Cultivating respectful education by seeing people and moving together puts joy back in the job. When being an innovative teacher puts a target on your back. Leveraging our skills as teachers allows us to move beyond typical jobs in education to expand our impact. Surrendering to the energy of the universe to allow our path to unfold and find our people. 💬 Continue the conversation with Natalie on Twitter or Instagram
💬Continue the conversation with Starr on Twitter or Linkedin.  
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✨Download Nat's six research-based ways to INSPIRE change in assessment and grading!

 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!
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
 
💬 Continue the conversation with Crystal on Twitter, Instagram, or her website. 
 
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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
 
 ✊ Join our Facebook group for community, connection and allies.
 
✨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
 
 Continue the conversation with Alex 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!