Assessment

Rea Smith is an elementary mathematics and science curriculum specialist in northwestern Arkansas. She passionately supports the work of professional learning communities with a focus on common assessments to improve student and teacher learning.

Matt Townsley, EdD, is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is a former district administrator and teacher in Solon Community Schools, also in Iowa, where he led curriculum, assessment, and school-improvement initiatives, all under the umbrella of a professional learning community philosophy.

Nathan L. Wear is the associate superintendent and chief academic officer of Linn-Mar CSD in Marion, Iowa. He has served as an elementary teacher and as an elementary and high school principal.

Assessment sits at the center of instructional decisions and multitiered systems of support that ensure student success. This webinar, featuring assessment expert Nicole Dimich, will provide guidance in how to design meaningful assessments and set up information that empowers teachers to be instructionally agile and students to be invested in their learning.

Brad Cawn is a teacher educator, author, researcher, and trainer who specializes in helping schools and teachers integrate ambitious teaching and learning—inquiry-based instruction, disciplinary literacy, project-based learning, etc.—across the content areas.

Jonathan G. Vander Els specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in schools and districts across the country in developing, sustaining, and enhancing structures to support all learners.

Join us for a webinar that explores how assessment practices empower the whole child and the whole educator. Cassandra Erkens, Tom Schimmer, Katie White, and Nicole M. Dimich will engage in a lively discussion about feedback, grading, assessment design, and multitiered systems of support in the midst and aftermath of dual pandemics. Assessment at its best can build relationships and inspire hope and efficacy.

In this one-hour webinar, participants will learn best practices in online instruction from Redwood Learning presenters Tina H. Boogren, Paula Maeker, and Katie White. Join for expert insights and key takeaways about how successful practices from in-person learning can be adapted for online learning, and vice versa.

Gib Ostheimer is a high school principal in Wyoming and a former elementary school principal. He has worked with schools on topics including assessment architecture, instructional agility, and school improvement and culture.

Given the complexity of today’s educational landscape, it might feel as if we have to choose between assessing our students or supporting their social-emotional wellness. However, when we assess with intention and care, and use the results to support intellectual needs while also attending to social and emotional needs, we don’t have to choose!