The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & Resources

Send us Fan Mail Chronic absenteeism keeps getting described as a kid problem, but the evidence tells a different story. When we label students as “disengaged,” we miss what is often right in front of us: unreliable transportation, health crises, caregiving demands, and school policies that punish families for not having options. I’m joined by Dr. Ivory Toldson , Chief of Research for Concentric E...

Send us Fan Mail A student’s future should not depend on whether their school can find a qualified chemistry teacher this year—but that’s often how geography-bound education works. When the PISA 2022 report revealed declines in performance and widening gaps across countries, it’s easy to point to motivation or effort. This conversation takes a different angle: what if the real constraint is the st...

Send us Fan Mail In many classrooms, toys are something we put away when it’s time to get serious. But what if toys are actually one of the most effective ways to teach? In this episode of The Brighter Side of Education , Dr. Lisa Hassler explores toybuilding as a powerful instructional approach with educational toymaker Rick Hartman , founder of School of Toy. With over 25 years of experience and...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like grammar turns a lively class silent? We dig into a brighter way forward with literacy consultant and author Patty McGee, exploring how short, focused routines transform grammar from rote correction into a set of powerful choices that make writing clearer, bolder, and more authentic. Instead of chasing perfection on worksheets, we show how to build sentence craft in...

Send us Fan Mail Educators across grade levels are observing a consistent pattern: students are increasingly distracted, mentally fatigued, and less able to sustain focus during academic tasks. These challenges affect reading comprehension, problem-solving, written expression, and overall learning stamina. This episode examines the cognitive and neurological foundations behind these trends and exp...

Send us Fan Mail As automation and artificial intelligence reshape the future of work, educators face a critical question: Are we preparing students for a world defined by automation and innovation? In this episode of The Brighter Side of Education , Dr. Lisa Hassler speaks with Camp , Head of Teaching and Learning at New England Innovation Academy , about how competency-based learning and human-c...

Send us Fan Mail How can STEM education keep pace with a rapidly changing world? In this episode of The Brighter Side of Education , host Dr. Lisa Hassler explores innovative approaches to STEM learning with Dr. Jennifer Berry , CEO of SmartLab . This conversation examines how authentic, project-based STEM experiences help students build STEM identity, develop problem-solving skills, and see real...

Send us Fan Mail What if a few words and a simple image could reshape how students treat each other—and how they feel about themselves? We dive into bucket filling, a plain-language framework that sparked a global kindness movement. Grounded in the CASEL competencies and early brain research, this approach replaces vague advice with three clear rules: be a bucket filler, try not to dip, and use yo...

Send us Fan Mail We hit “Go Live” to close our longest season yet and lean into a simple truth: growth beats perfect. Holiday crunch time made the choice easy—pivot, try the new thing, and share what’s working for educators and parents who want less noise and more clarity. We review the milestone that mattered most this year—CPD credits for listeners—so your professional learning can count toward...

Send us Fan Mail Are we preparing young people to follow instructions or to solve real problems? We explore a better path with Barry Garapedian —financial advisor, mentor, and author of Winning the Game of Life —who makes a compelling case for teaching value creation as the antidote to uncertainty, inflation, and the AI upheaval. Together, we unpack the hidden curriculum, why compliance still shad...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a school where grades reward collaboration, character, and genuine mastery—not just memorization and speed. In this episode, Dean of Academics Marc Aronson shares how his school, Cheshire Academy ,  rethought assessment through Grading What Matters, a framework focused on authentic learning, student agency, and mission-aligned outcomes. We explore Final Demonstrations of L...

Send us Fan Mail Play isn’t just fun—it’s a blueprint for learning . In this episode, Dr. Lisa Hassler and Matt Dalio ( Endless Studios /Foundation) explore how student game-making builds creativity, collaboration, and resilience while scaffolding real tools—from no-code building to Unity and Blender . We unpack the research on learning by making, connect Jane McGonigal’s mechanics of motivation t...

Send us Fan Mail Nearly 1 in 10 children are diagnosed with ADHD, yet most educators receive no formal training in supporting executive function deficits. This gap creates challenges for teachers, frustration for parents, and academic struggles for students who are often mislabeled as unmotivated or lazy. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Hassler speaks with Ann Dolin M.Ed., founder of Educational Connect...

Send us Fan Mail The digital revolution in education is happening right now, and AI literacy has surged to become the #1 skill employers demand. With 70% of job skills projected to change by 2030, our conversation with Mike Todasco couldn't be more timely or crucial for parents and educators navigating this shifting landscape. Mike brings a rare dual perspective as both a visiting fellow at S...

Send us Fan Mail Discover why handwriting instruction is disappearing from classrooms and how this impacts your child's literacy development. In this research-backed episode, handwriting specialist Holly Britton reveals the neuroscience behind why forming letters by hand activates crucial brain pathways that typing cannot replicate. What You'll Learn: Why explicit handwriting instruction...

Send us Fan Mail The transition from college to adulthood has dramatically transformed over recent decades, with financial independence, full-time employment, and independent living occurring much later for today's graduates than their 1980s counterparts. Yet despite these shifting timelines, Sallie Mae's latest research reveals that higher education continues to deliver tremendous value...

Send us Fan Mail Curriculum doesn’t start in the classroom—it starts in the knowledge system : the people, institutions, and practices that produce and disseminate research. Dr. Cassidy Sugimoto, a Tom and Marie Patton Professor and School Chair from the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, explains how publishing and citation practices flow into standards and textbooks. Dr. Sugimoto highlight...

Send us Fan Mail Quality childcare creates the foundation for lifelong learning and development, but finding the right program often leaves parents confused, frustrated, and uncertain. What should you actually look for beyond a clean facility and friendly staff? How do you know if a program will nurture your child's development in ways that matter? In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Lisa...

Send us Fan Mail Behind the concrete walls and steel bars of America's prisons, something remarkable is happening. Education—once considered an afterthought in correctional settings—is proving to be one of the most powerful tools for transformation, not just for individuals but for entire institutions. Our conversation with Joshua Gilliam, who brings a unique dual perspective as both a former...

Send us Fan Mail Secondary music classrooms are increasingly challenged by student disengagement—especially when traditional models fail to resonate with today’s learners. In this compelling episode, professional bassist and music educator Richard Frank introduces his Unison-Based Content (UBC) approach, a student-centered framework designed to revitalize music programs and re-engage learners of a...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the power of equine therapy through the eyes of specialist Erin Cain, founder of Grace Reins Equine Therapy in Colorado. When words fall short in traditional therapy settings, horses step in as powerful healers for children struggling with anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation. The science behind this approach is fascinating. Horses, with heart rates half that of huma...

Send us Fan Mail What if the solution to many childhood developmental challenges was literally right outside our windows? Naturalist and author Susie Spiegel reveals how unstructured nature play creates the perfect environment for children to develop crucial life skills that structured indoor activities simply can't replicate. Drawing from her book " Forest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fa...

Send us Fan Mail "Books are the key to unlocking your soul's true potential." These aren't the words of a veteran educator or bestselling author – they come from nine-year-old Ishara, host of Ishara's Reading Podcast , literacy advocate, and aspiring astronaut who dreams of leading a mission to Mars. In this inspiring episode, Ishara is at her skating rink ( YouTube video...

Send us Fan Mail Dinalynn Rosenbush , certified speech-language pathologist and host of the Language of Play podcast, shares research-backed approaches for supporting children's communication skills through play when speech therapy services are delayed or unavailable. • Nearly 8% of children ages 3-17 have communication disorders with speech problems being most common • Children need to hear...

Send us Fan Mail Post-secondary planning doesn't need to be overwhelming for students, parents, or educators. Sam Bernstein shares how his app Loper is transforming this crucial process into a personalized, engaging experience that meets Gen Z where they are. • Only 74% of Gen Z teens plan to attend college, down from previous generations • Students increasingly interested in staying at home...