Natalie Vardabasso 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 led 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. Left the classroom 5 years ago, taught English and SS, different electives (musical theatre). Mostly in the same school also did instr. coaching, assessment leadership. Over a 3 year period transitioned to outcomes-based grading (SBG). Now works as a consultant. Does content creation. Is in Calgary, Alberta. Got recruited by Solution Tree, does work w/ schools all over.
Trench story: in many ways “trenches” is transgressive space. Moving to “middle child” role that was supposed to make change as instr. coach. Didn’t have issues in CR, move when moved to instr. coaching role. One particularly bad day-PD Day, there were complaints about her passion-principal said, “tone it down a bit”. Reimagined what leadership truly means. She’s more honest about this since she left her school-based role.
How do we actually transform this? Transformation in a complex system like education. Unpacking what is meant by complexity. Grading change is “so complex”. It’s not impossible. With the complexity we have a large diversity of perspective. Story is a good tool. We often say get rid of stories after E.S. Take writing f.ex. It doesn’t need to become critical process in H.S. Thomas Neukirk “Minds made for stories”-inquiry-based writing. Create the need for a thesis & write to it. Writing to pictures like Storybird or pictures from history. So often t’s just teach to standards & state assessment with essay prompts. What are other means of writing to show knowledge?
Empowerment ecosystem & The VOICE method of assessment came out of her trenches moment, last May started reflecting on how she could be catalyst for change. Interviewed folks across N. America & co-designed program. Hosted summit in Vancouver. VOICE method is at the core of it. V-vision O-optimize I-invite rethinking C-cultivate evidence of learning E-expand.
Make a profile of a learner. What does it mean to develop creativity? How do we invite students to rethink? It shouldn’t end in evaluation. St’s can tell their own story of learning. She goes into districts as train the trainer model. Admin turnover causes so many change efforts.
Is writing a book with Tom Schimmer. Working title “Rehumanizing Assessment through Story” Can talk about it-how empowerment can be a reliable means of assessment. Manuscript was due Aug. ‘23- can take a year to publish with Solution Tree. In her perfect VOICE vision-students are the voice that’s telling the story. Tons of opportunities for micro stories. Evidence of learning.
Is hosting a Grading from the Inside Out workshop in St. Louis in Dec. Can find out more on the Solution Tree website. 3 mindset shifts-giving students credit for what they know, redefining accountability. How can we ensure accountability? Repurposing HW-how do we look @ it as a formative practice? Assessing student attributes-how do we define that-it’s like “work habits” grade. Citizenship grade.
Most of her work is booked through schools & districts. Solution Tree does her booking. Email her directly.
Out of everything? Big idea around assessment-upload in minds around verb rather than noun. Expand around assessment more as a verb.
Where can ppl find you online? Twitter: @natabasso IG: @natabasso Email: nvardabasso@gmail.com Website: www.solutiontree.com
View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qQZ6HXnE7QE
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