Tom Schimmer

Tom Schimmer Speaking Topics

• The Future of Assessment: Building Systems That Honour Identity and Inspire Agency

  This inspiring and forward-thinking keynote will invite educators to imagine what assessment could look like in the next decades of education. As we navigate an era defined by rapid technological innovation, growing cultural diversity, and the call to rehumanize learning, Tom explores how we can design assessment systems that are both deeply personal and boldly future-ready. He will examine how storytelling can make evidence of learning more meaningful, how culturally responsive practices can ensure every learner is seen and valued, and how artificial intelligence can amplify (rather than replace) the human side of teaching. With his blend of clarity, credibility, and care, Tom challenges participants to move beyond incremental reform and toward a shared vision of assessment that honours identity, cultivates agency, and prepares students for a world that is changing before our eyes.

• Next Generation Grading: Humanizing Evidence in the Age of AI

  As AI transforms how students create and demonstrate learning, grading must evolve to reflect what remains unmistakably human, which is thinking, connection, and professional judgment. In this keynote, Tom explores how educators can reimagine grading as an act of meaning-making built on clarity, credibility, and care. Rather than reducing achievement to numbers or averages, Next Generation Grading envisions a future where grades tell the authentic story of learning and growth; where technology amplifies teacher expertise and strengthens trust in what we report. Tom will challenge educators to reconsider what counts as “evidence” in an AI-rich world, emphasizing the enduring value of observation, conversation, and reflection. He’ll illustrate how grading practices can move from transactional to transformational, where feedback fuels hope, not anxiety. This message will leave educators confident, courageous, and ready to lead the next generation of grading reform.

• The Grading Trap: How Misguided Grading Practices Sabotage Effective Teaching

  While grades are meant to reflect learning, our grading practices can act as barriers, undercutting the very goals collaborative teams work so hard to achieve in their classrooms. In this keynote, Tom will explore the hidden “grading trap”—the unintended consequences of traditional grading policies that undermine student motivation, growth, and equity. Specifically, participants will see how traditional grading practices can inadvertently dismantle student engagement and distort achievement. When you transform your approach to grading from a “gotcha” system to one that is learning-focused and aligned with your teaching goals and values, accurate grades and confident learners will emerge.

• Workshops

  Rubrics That Work: Designing Clear, Effective, and Meaningful Criteria

  Well-designed rubrics clarify expectations, provide actionable feedback, and support student learning, but not all rubrics are created equal. This session explores the differences between holistic, analytic, and single-point rubrics, guiding participants in choosing the right tool for their needs. We’ll also unpack the distinction between rubrics and proficiency scales, ensuring each serves its intended purpose. Through practical strategies and hands-on examples, participants will learn how to build effective rubrics that promote consistency, fairness, and meaningful assessment. Walk away with a framework for designing rubrics that truly enhance learning and performance.

  Mapping Learning Progressions: Meaningful Assessment Planning for Deeper Learning

  Assessments should do more than just measure learning; they should support it. This session will explore we’ll how to design assessments that align with well-structured learning progressions, ensuring students move from foundational understanding to mastery with clarity and purpose. Participants will unpack what makes a strong learning progression, analyze how assessment choices impact student growth, and develop practical strategies for creating assessments that provide meaningful insights. Whether you're refining existing assessments or starting fresh, this session will equip you with the tools to chart a clear path from where students are to where they need to be.

  Redefining Student Accountability: Teaching Responsibility Outside the Gradebook

  The fear of losing accountability often keeps schools tied to punitive grading practices like zeros and late penalties. But true accountability isn’t about punishment—it’s about teaching responsibility. This session explores how schools can leverage sound grading practices, PLCs, and RTI frameworks to build a culture where students take ownership of their learning. Participants will learn practical systems, structures, and routines that support responsibility without compromising proficiency-based grading. Walk away with strategies that shift the focus from enforcement to empowerment, ensuring high expectations and real student success.