Professor on Your Side

In this episode, Dr. Johanna David-Tramantano sits down with Tolly Gershberg, a junior in Potomac, Maryland, and research fellow at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning. Tolly took evidence-based learning science off the shelf and turned it into a practical, student-friendly guide covering focus, reading, note-taking, studying, and test-taking — and it's already reached over 500...

In this eye-opening conversation, Johanna sits down with Elizabeth Cohen Hamblet , a learning specialist and leading expert in college disability services and transition planning who has worked in college disability offices for over 20 years and is the author of Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities Elizabeth breaks down the critical differences between disabilit...

Dr. Johanna Tramantano interviews Annie Tulkin, CEO and founder of Accessible College, about college preparation and transition for students with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and chronic health conditions, often with co-occurring diagnoses. They emphasize student self-advocacy, researching disability office staffing and mission statements, and setting accommodations up early because...

This motivational video on #executivefunctioning and #collegesuccess explores why student burnout is rarely about laziness and almost always about broken systems. Students juggling academics, work, family responsibilities, and mental health need sustainable executive functioning supports—not self-criticism—to thrive. In this video, we unpack the real causes of student burnout, tracing the origins...

In this Reading Masterclass, Dr. T explains the Science of Reading in clear, practical terms, helping parents and educators understand how reading develops, what progress should look like, and how to support children with dyslexia and other learning differences. In this episode, you’ll learn: How children learn to read—from phonemic awareness and phonics to decoding and comprehension, what the Sci...

Did your college freshman fail a class this semester—or even two—and come home overwhelmed, embarrassed, or scared? You’re not alone, and this is not the end of their college journey. In this video, Dr. T walks parents through exactly what to do next when a student struggles academically during their first year of college. You’ll learn how to support your student through the emotional impact of fa...

Essential Strategies to Help Your High Schooler Stay Organized In this episode, Dr. T, a seasoned educator and literacy specialist, explores effective strategies for helping high school students develop organizational skills in today's distraction-filled world. Drawing from psychological research and her two-decade experience, she emphasizes practices like body doubling, piloting, reflecting o...

Helping Your College Student Finish the Semester Strong In this episode, Dr. T, a seasoned educator and parent, provides a detailed, step-by-step plan for parents to help their college students overcome mid-semester struggles. Dr. T explains why many students hit a wall around mid-November, citing research from the field. The episode outlines effective strategies parents can use, from starting sup...

Navigating Thanksgiving Break Conversations for College Success In this episode of Professor on Your Side, Dr. T discusses the importance of timing for engaging with college students over Thanksgiving break. This period provides a unique opportunity to check in on their first semester without pressure. Dr. T introduces a free Thanksgiving Break Conversation Guide designed to foster connection and...

In this episode of the Professor on Your Side podcast, host Dr. J Tramantano welcomes Professor Krisler Bailey to discuss crucial aspects of academic support, particularly focusing on executive functioning challenges faced by college freshmen. Drawing from her 24 years of experience in higher education, Professor Bailey shares her journey and how her personal struggles in college inspired her to h...

Essential Executive Functioning Skills for College Success. In this episode of 'Professor on Your Side,' Dr. Johanna David -Tramantano discusses the critical importance of executive functioning skills for college students. These skills, which include planning, organization, focus, and time management, can make the difference between merely surviving college and thriving. Dr. Tramantano exp...

In the first episode of the "Professor on Your Side" Podcast, Dr. Tramantano, an educator and high school to college transition coach, focuses on navigating the college application process for students with diverse learning needs, such as those with IEPs, 504 plans, ADHD, and dyslexia. She offers practical advice for parents, educators, and students, emphasizing the importance of early p...