Learner-Centered Spaces | Podcast on Podbay

Learner-Centered Spaces

Mastery Portfolio

Welcome to Learner-Centered Spaces podcast produced by Mastery Portfolio. Our hosts are Starr Sackstein and Crystal Frommert. We are educators sharing our experiences of being the lone wolves of de-emphasizing grades in a traditional grades school. Starting the shift toward standards-based grading is no easy task when the community (colleagues, parents, students, and admin) is expecting a number grade on assignments and report cards. 

Pam Zetterval inspires learners

@PamZettervall- X and Insta, and LinkedIn @JetwithZet Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Mar 1

27 min

Steve Martinez encourages educators to think differently.

Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-m-4833a9ba/] Website: https://www.underhatpod.com/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Feb 15

22 min

Amos Fodcuk says technology literacy breaks barriers

ALP [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-learning-partnerships-inc/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amos-fodchuk/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Feb 1

26 min

Katie Mead re-learned what education could be

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mead-6a95888a/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Jan 18

17 min

Sierra Holtzheuser says value results in buy-in.

Growth Over Grades Podcast: ttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-growth-over-grades-podcast/id1760177088 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-growth-over-grades-podcast/id1760177088] https://open.spotify.com/show/2JujzaMu9vUiaCO8dj3eEO LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierraholtz/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Jan 4

22 min

Tziri Lamm asks what we actually want students to know and do.

[email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/tziri-lamm/ Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Dec 21, 2025

17 min

Arthur Chiaravalli grows beyond grading.

https://growbeyondgrades.org/ LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-chiaravalli-0903a51/] On today's episode, we're joined by Arthur Chiaravalli, House Director at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Vermont. Over his career, Arthur has taught ELA, math, technology, and media arts, and also served as a dean of students—experience that gives him a whole-school lens on teaching and learning. Arthur's purpose is clear: to change how we think about assessment so it truly serves teaching and learning, rather than systems that reduce students and teachers to what's easy to measure. At CVU, he focuses on practices that honor curiosity, growth, and authentic evidence of learning. Outside of school, Arthur is the proud parent of eight children, whose educations have included homeschooling and outdoor programs—fueling his passion for learner-centered education. Hosted by Starr Sackstein & Crystal Frommert Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Dec 7, 2025

26 min

Tom Guskey never lets his expectations be limited by what he thought was possible.

Tom Guskey never lets his expectations be limited by what he thought was possible. https://tguskey.com/ LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-guskey-9b458813/] Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Nov 23, 2025

23 min

Frank Shaw promotes change with teacher collaboration

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Nov 9, 2025

23 min

Rosalia Tierno coaches with support, modeling, and resources

LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalia-tierno-b74875115/] Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ Contact us: [email protected] [email protected]

Oct 19, 2025

14 min