Beyond the Worksheet

In this bonus episode of Beyond the Worksheet , Dr. Jess Laine continues sharing her journey through the world of studio teaching as her career begins to gain momentum. From stepping onto the set of You and having a memorable (and slightly awkward!) moment with Penn Badgley, to working on a large-scale international film, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like in the entert...

In the season finale of Beyond the Worksheet , Dr. Jess Laine reflects on the key insights from her research and the bigger picture of what truly drives student success. While discovery learning and innovative approaches can support achievement, this episode emphasizes that no single method guarantees engagement—relationships, school culture, and access to resources matter just as much. Dr. Jess a...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine continues her studio teaching journey, sharing stories from a fast-paced and unforgettable year in 2017. From touring with The King and I to working with young talent on Nickelodeon projects, she gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to balance education with the entertainment industry. You’ll hear memorable moments from celebrating...

In this episode of Beyond the Worksheet , Dr. Jess Laine shifts the focus beyond the classroom to the people who play a critical role in shaping education—parents, community members, and policymakers. Drawing on the findings from her dissertation, she breaks down what the research really says about student engagement, academic achievement, and the role of instructional methods like discovery learn...

In this episode of Beyond the Worksheet , Dr. Jess Laine takes a deeper look at the real-world challenges of implementing discovery learning in today’s schools. While research shows the potential of student-centered approaches, this episode explores the barriers that often stand in the way, including limited resources, gaps in teacher training, policy pressures, and equity issues. Dr. Jess Laine b...

In this episode of Beyond the Worksheet , Dr. Jess Laine tackles a common question in education: How much structure should discovery learning really have? Drawing on research and insights from her dissertation, she explores the debate between guided and unguided learning and explains why effective classrooms rarely sit at either extreme. Instead, the most successful approaches balance student expl...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine shares the moment her studio teaching career truly began to take off. After years of piecing together freelance opportunities, 2016 became a turning point when she landed a role on Netflix’s The OA , marking her first major television production. From working alongside talented young actors to navigating the fast-paced world of TV sets and national tours, this...

In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine translates the research findings from her dissertation into practical, classroom-ready takeaways. After examining both engagement and achievement data, she answers the question every educator is asking: What do I actually do with this information? From prioritizing relationships and building strong classroom communities to incorporating voice, choice, and guided dis...

In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine dives into the academic achievement findings from her dissertation research. Using STAAR assessment data from Dallas ISD middle schools, she compares Montessori and traditional students to determine whether discovery-based learning leads to stronger academic outcomes. The results show that Montessori students were more likely to meet grade-level expectations, but th...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine shares the pivotal moment when she walked away from the traditional classroom without a safety net and stepped fully into the uncertainty of studio teaching. After years of burnout and feeling misaligned within the system, she made the courageous decision to resign without a guaranteed plan, trusting that there was something better ahead. From piecing together...

In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine unpacks the engagement data from her dissertation study comparing Montessori and traditional middle schools in Dallas ISD. What does “student engagement” really mean? How was it measured? And did Montessori classrooms actually lead to higher engagement? Spoiler: instructional method alone didn’t tell the whole story. This episode explores why engagement is more than...

In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine pulls back the curtain on the research process behind her dissertation. How do you design a study that reflects real classrooms—not just theory? Dr. Jess explains how she used districtwide data from Dallas ISD to compare Montessori and traditional schools, focusing on two big questions: Does the instructional model impact student engagement and academic achievement?...

In this heartfelt bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine shares the next chapter of her journey into studio teaching—navigating unfamiliar laws, unpredictable filming schedules, and the deep desire to meet students where they are. From tutoring on Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way to juggling traditional classroom demands and studio gigs on the side, she opens up about burnout, breakthrough moments, and the va...

Why do we need another study on discovery learning? In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine explores the research gap that sparked her dissertation, and why it matters for real classrooms today. She breaks down what’s missing from current studies, including the lack of data on middle school students in urban public schools, limited comparisons between Montessori and traditional models, and the challenge o...

“Discovery learning” gets tossed around in education, but what does it actually mean? In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine breaks down the theory, the practice, and the research behind this student-centered approach. Drawing directly from her dissertation, she unpacks what discovery learning looks like in real classrooms, the difference between pure and guided discovery, and why thoughtful implementati...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine takes listeners back to 2011, her first year as a studio teacher, and a turning point in her career. After leaving the traditional classroom, she stepped into the unknown: teaching on the first national Broadway tour of The Addams Family . With no roadmap, no formal training, and only two students, she quickly learned how to individualize instruction, adapt to...

In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine takes a deep dive into two widely used but very different educational models: Montessori and traditional schooling. Drawing directly from her dissertation research in Dallas ISD, she breaks down how each model operates, what they look like in practice, and what the data actually says about their impact on student achievement and engagement. From side-by-side example...

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine shares the personal journey that led her from traditional classrooms to one of the most unique teaching roles out there: studio teacher for film and television. Hear how a math-loving, theater-curious college student became an educator on the sets of hit shows and major productions. From burnout to breakthrough, this is a story about following your pas...

In the premiere episode of Beyond the Worksheet , Dr. Jess Laine explores the growing crisis in student engagement and academic achievement—and why discovery learning may be part of the solution. Drawing directly from her dissertation research, this episode breaks down what discovery learning really is, how it compares to traditional methods, and what the data shows about its impact on student out...

Hi, I’m Dr. Jess Phelps—but in the podcast world, you’ll hear me go by Dr. Jess Laine . I’ve been an educator since 2005 and a California Studio Teacher since 2011, and honestly, teaching is my calling. I began teaching middle and high school math in the classroom immediately after graduating with a degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. From day one, my mission has been simple: help students...

Beyond the Worksheet is the podcast for educators who are ready to break free from busywork and reimagine what real learning looks like. Hosted by Dr. Jess Laine, a passionate educator and researcher, each episode explores innovative, student-centered teaching methods that go deeper than the surface—from discovery learning and project-based instruction to inquiry, creative assessment, and more. Wh...