In this final episode of Season 4, Kathryn and Theresa look back on a year of inspiring conversations and exciting growth. They reflect on the continued impact of their book Pass the Baton, now four years old, and the growing network of educators dedicated to student empowerment. They share behind-the-scenes insights into resources like the Post-Concert Creativity Challenge and preview their upcoming summer course through VanderCook College.

The episode also includes some personal updates—Kathryn introduces a new four-legged family member, and Theresa shares her excitement about moving across the country to begin a new faculty position at East Carolina University. It’s a thoughtful and celebratory wrap-up full of gratitude, practical ideas, and a look ahead to what’s next. We’ll be back in August with all-new episodes to kick off Season 5—see you then!

Links from this episode:

• Theresa’s Dissertation Survey
• Pass the Baton Coffee Club
• Post-Concert Creativity Challenge
• VanderCook Summer Book Study
• Instagram - @PasstheBatonMusicEd
• Facebook - Pass the Baton Book
• Website - passthebatonbook.com
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection
• Episode 82 with Matthew Stensrud
• Episode 77 with Stephen Cox
• Episode 83 with Jasmine Henderson
• Episode 85 with Merlin Thompson
• Episode 86 with Felipe Morales-Torres

In Episode 91, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Alisa Hanson—music educator, researcher, and recent PhD graduate—for a rich conversation about experimentation, creativity, and student-centered teaching. Alisa shares insights from her dissertation and describes how she brought student agency and creative risk-taking into her music classes. From improvisation circles with beginner fifth graders to a rock band-style “Pop Music Lab” class for middle schoolers, Alisa offers practical ways to make music education more engaging and responsive to students’ interests.

Listeners will be inspired by Alisa’s candid reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and how she used her own quilting practice to reflect deeply on her teaching. Whether you're an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher, this episode offers valuable takeaways—like giving students more choice, creating space for improvisation, and designing musical experiences that connect in-school learning with students' real-world musical interests. Tune in to hear how you might give yourself—and your students—permission to experiment.

Connect with Alisa and learn more:

• Email: amastin@asu.edu
• Dissertation: Becoming Music Teacher: A Quilted A/r/tographic Inquiry

More about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self

In Episode 90, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Chris Gleason for a thought-provoking conversation about grading. Chris challenges traditional notions of grading and assessment, offering compelling stories and practical strategies for shifting from compliance-based systems to student-centered, intrinsic learning environments. With humor, wisdom, and years of classroom experience, Chris explores what it means to foster agency, curiosity, and deep reflection in music education—and why students’ growth can’t (and shouldn’t) be reduced to a number or letter grade.

Whether you're brand new to the concept of ungrading or already dipping your toes in these waters, this episode is sure to get you thinking deeply about your own classroom practices. Chris reminds us that meaningful learning comes from relationships, relevance, and reflection—not from points, charts, or checklists. Tune in for an honest, encouraging, and energizing discussion that will leave you inspired to rethink assessment and empowered to make bold changes that truly benefit your students.

Connect with Chris and learn more:

• Website: www.chrisgleason.com
• Podcast: Beyond Artless
• Beyond the Notes Music Festival

Other resources from this episode:

• Episode 84 - Assessment for Growth: Empowering Student Musicians
• Episode 67 - Unlock Student Potential: Transforming Assessment in Music Education
• Episode 55 - Assessment for Learning: Nurturing Growth and Progress in Every Student
• Trust and Inspire, by Steven Covey
• Punished by Rewards, by Alfie Kohn
• The Art of Possibility, by Rosemond Stone Zander
• Hacking Assessment, by Starr Sackstein
• Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Connect with Pass the Baton and learn more:

• Pass the Baton website⁠
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection ⁠⁠⁠⁠