Event Description
Join us for "Standards-Based Grading Unpacked," a free workshop collaboratively hosted by The FIRST Education STAGR Center and Otus. This interactive session is designed to empower schools to explore their current realities in standards-based grading, connect with peers from other districts, and chart actionable next steps for implementation. Whether you're just starting out or refining your approach, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to network, share insights, and advance your district’s journey toward effective standards-based practices—all at no cost. Don’t miss this chance to unpack, collaborate, and plan your next steps.
This event will also occur on June 19 in Oshkosh, WI. Click here to view that event.
Your Presenter(s)
Garth Larson, Don Smith, Becky Peppler, Paul Kasovich, Keith Westman
Garth Larson, Ed.D is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. Garth has previously worked as the Director of Learning for the Winneconne Community School District in northeast Wisconsin, was an elementary principal in two separate buildings and started his career in education as a high school speech and English teacher. In 2011, Garth formed Wisconsin Educational Resources (now FIRST) with a focus on improving student achievement across the United States. Since 2011, over 2000 school districts throughout the globe have become partnership districts with his company. Garth currently consults with school districts around the world and provides customized professional development around a variety of topics, mainly Professional Learning Communities 2.0, Learning-Centered Grading Practices, Leadership and School Improvement. Garth is also the author of Collaborative Systems of Support: Learning for ALL with co-authors Tom Hierck and Chris Weber, Target-Based Grading in Collaborative Teams: 13 Steps to Moving Beyond Standards with co-author Tom Hierck, Grading for Impact: Raising Student Achievement through a Target-Based Assessment and Learning System and PLC 2.0: Collaborating for Observable Impact in Today’s Schools with co-author Cale Birk.
Becky Peppler is the Director of the FIRST Education Center for Assessment and Grading (a division of FIRST Educational Resources). She has 15 years of professional experience in public education, working in the Winneconne Community School District in northeast Wisconsin. Becky has spent time as a 6-12 Instructional Coach with a focus on supporting teachers in the classroom on a daily basis. Prior to her role as an instructional coach, Becky taught Chemistry and Forensic Science and was the 6-12 Science Curriculum Chair. She is a member of the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST), where she was awarded the Excellence in Science Education Award for the state of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Science Education Leadership Association (WSELA). Becky has helped the Winneconne Community School District transition to Target Based Grading at the middle and high school levels. She has a passion for designing meaningful assessments practices, making reassessment work, target based learning implementation, building social and emotional skills and ensuring that all students continue to learn at high levels. Becky currently consults to school districts all over the United States in these areas.
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). Don continually leads professional development sessions centered on research based practices in instruction, assessment and grading. In 2022, Don began working full time with FIRST Educational Resources.
A lifelong educator, Keith Westman has spent his entire professional career working in K-12 education. After serving as a middle school principal, a technology coordinator, and a third-grade teacher, Keith transitioned to the world of edtech. Keith now serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Otus. Keith has a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Loyola University Chicago, a master’s degree in education from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from National-Louis University.
Paul Kaskovich is a passionate educator who started his career as a middle school social studies teacher and instructional technology coordinator. For the last 8 years, Paul has supported school districts across the country to utilize the Otus platform to support the technical aspects of standards-based grading and reporting. In his free time, Paul spends time with his wife, two daughters, and whichever Chicago sports team he is frustrated with.