UPCOMING EPISODES
Episode # 8
"Parents Won't Understand What We are Doing."
Join us September 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM Central
With Special Guest Dr. Chad Lang
PAST EPISODES
Episode 1: "What is Standards-Based Grading and Why are We Doing It?"
Episode 2: "Where is the Accountability in Standards-Based Grading?"
Episode 3: "Where is the Accountability in Standards-Based Grading?" (Part 2)
(With Special Guest Rick Wormeli)
Episode 4: "If I Offer Reassessment, The Kids Won't Take the First Test Seriously!"
Episode 5: "Why Reinvent the Wheel? Can't we just take someone else's Priority Standards and Learning Targets?"
With Special Guest Dr. Matt Townsley
Episode 6: "Show Me Some Research This Actually Works!"
Episode 7: "These Changes Won't Prepare Our Students For the Real World!"
Show Hosts
Garth Larson, Ed.D
Becky Peppler
Don Smith
Garth Larson is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. He began his career as a high school English teacher and Associate Principal, later serving as an elementary principal and the Director of Learning for the Winneconne Community School District in Northeast Wisconsin. In 2015, he co-founded FIRST Educational Resources, aiming to enhance student achievement across the United States. Since then, over 2000 school districts worldwide have partnered with his company.
Becky Peppler is the Director of the FIRST Education STAGR Center, a division of FIRST Educational Resources. With over 18 years in public education, she is dedicated to helping schools navigate the challenges of grading and assessment reform to create systems that support student learning and growth. A former 6-12 Instructional Coach and science educator, Becky has played a pivotal role in guiding over one hundred schools and districts through full transitions to Standards-Based Grading.
Don Smith has 20 years of professional experience in public schools. Don previously served as the Director of Teaching and Learning for the Winneconne Community School District, in Wisconsin. Prior to that, Don was the Director of Teaching and Learning in the School District of Waupaca. Don also served as the Principal at Fond du Lac STEM Academy and Fond du Lac STEM Institute, as well as the District Assessment Coordinator for the Fond du Lac Area School District (WI).