The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & Resources

Send us Fan Mail Realize the full potential of your child's early education journey with guidance from Autumn McKay, a former teacher turned author whose passion for hands-on learning shines through every page of her work. Autumn details how parents can support their child's academic journey by creating intentional learning experiences at home.  Even the simplest activities, from baking...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on an educational adventure where the whispers of the forest merge with the laughter of learning. Justine Wilson, the innovative mind behind Curious and Kind Education, welcomes us into a world where classrooms have no walls, and the sky's the limit for curiosity. She's not your average educator; her story of transitioning from traditional schooling to the untamed...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the educational revolution where AI becomes the teacher's ally, not the adversary. Unlock the promise of a tailored learning journey as we unpack the integration of artificial intelligence into the classroom setting. With insights from the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Educator Confidence Report and the expert knowledge of Amanda Bickerstaff , a former high school biology...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a classroom where every child reads confidently, their eyes alight with understanding. Today literacy sage, Dr. Joseph Lockavitch, unveils the blueprint to literacy success for non-readers. We tackle the daunting educational crisis head-on, discussing Dr. Lockavitch's revolutionary Failure-Free Reading Program, dissecting the unique challenges non-readers face. From t...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt a poem tug at your heartstrings, or stumbled upon lines of verse that perfectly captured your emotions? Today's podcast is a treasure for anyone who’s ever been moved by the power of poetry. We’re joined by the poet Sarika Singh, whose insights into the transformative impact of poetry on education are nothing short of inspirational. Together, we explore the...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how the gentle art of trauma-informed yoga can impact our approach to mental health and education. Join me and my inspiring guest, Kim Louria, from Roots, Nature and Leadership Academy, as we unpack the profound effects this practice can have on alleviating the impact of trauma on learning. You'll hear heartfelt stories and gain expert insights into how incorporating...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of fostering a deep, enduring connection between children and the environment through the power of art and nature. Join me, Dr. Lisa Richardson-Hassler, as I talk with Jenna Saulo, researcher and art educator from Roots Nature and Leadership Academy. Together, we explore the integration of natural elements into art education, transforming urban classrooms into f...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the world of dance with professor of dance and head of dance education at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Stephanie Milling, and uncover the magnificent role it plays in education. Can you imagine how dance can lead to higher test scores, pro-social behavior, and increased school and community engagement? This episode reveals the cognitive, psychomotor, and psychol...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder about the magic that happens when little toes tap and small voices hum along to catchy tunes? We guarantee you'll begin to see pre-school music and movement in a transformative light in our chat with specialist Nick Young, who's been instrumental in music curriculum design for early childhood classrooms. He shares his inspiring journey and speaks to the multi...

Send us Fan Mail Ever thought about the profound role art plays in education? Get ready to be enlightened as we join Dr. Andrea Kantrowitz , an artist, researcher, and educator, in an enriching conversation on the impact of art on cognition. Taking us through her significant research findings, we delve into the surprising correlation between an integrated art curriculum and elevated mathematical s...

Send us Fan Mail Looking to create a lasting impact on your students? Tune in as we turn the spotlight on the power of theater education. We're joined by Brad Wages, actor and seasoned theater education maestro from Venice Theater's Education and Community Engagement Department. We dive deep into a discussion about his journey in the world of theater and how he uses his expertise to tran...

Send us Fan Mail Season 1 of The Brighter Side of Education was a remarkable journey! Together, we laughed, we learned, and we sparked conversation on how to transform classrooms, one discussion at a time. We've heard about the challenges educators, parents, and students face, and the innovative solutions that various communities have implemented. It's been a fantastic ride, but it'...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we have a special guest joining me as co-host - my husband, Dr. Gregg Hassler, Jr. He's not only a dentist but also a former school board president and, as he always likes to say, my biggest advocate. We are thrilled to celebrate The Brighter Side of Education's one-year anniversary! A big thank you goes out to all our listeners and guests who ha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I focus on digital communities with Katy Kappler. Why do we need them and how can it increase student completion rates in distance education? The potential of technology in education is so great that there is a steady increase in the number of online courses available in higher education every year. Distance education is an effective tool with the capability to en...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I focus on history in education. Why study history? Joining me to discuss these intriguing facets of the study of history is historian of education, Dr. Christopher Berg. He is a history professor specializing in pre-modern World history with research and writing focused on creating a "usable" past that meets the needs of an educated public in the 21st c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I discuss the benefits of bilingual immersion programs. How can a dual language education impact student achievement? Joining me today to discuss bilingual education, is educator and administrator Eric Franzen ( www.idealschool.education ). He is the founder of Ideal School, a Cognia-accredited dual language international online school serving K-9 students from ov...

Send us Fan Mail What are the current trends as well as the academic steps needed to help students reach their college goals? In this episode, we discuss the changing landscape for college admissions with  College Admissions Advisor, Julie Keisheimer.  Julie works with Great Minds Advising, which is the remotely-based college advising wing of the tutoring company Westchester Prep located just outs...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore the fascinating findings on working memory, its impact on academic attainment, and the promising avenues for intervention and support. How does working memory determine student success and how can it be improved?  Over the years, studies conducted by Dr. Alloway ( www.tracypackiam.com )  have provided growing evidence of the significant connection betwee...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I focus on school facilities design. How does the design of school buildings and classrooms impact student learning? Mary Ruppenthal discusses  future trends in school design. She is a registered architect and an Associate Principal at HED, one of the oldest and largest architecture and engineering firms in the country (www.hed.design). She has nearly 30 years of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I focus on teacher attrition. What can administrators do to retain teachers? In 2021, The National Education Association (NEA) recommended districts make significant changes to reduce stress and improve morale in schools to avoid a "Great Resignation." It's 2023, and I don't think many school districts listened. Teacher burnout is being felt ar...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Dr. Lisa Hassler—educator, researcher, and host of The Brighter Side of Education —shares the story behind her transformative book: America’s Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What We Learned from COVID . Co-hosted by her husband, Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., this episode offers a candid look at her journey from a life-changing trip to Brazil to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I focus on struggling readers in middle and high school.  Adolescent-literacy expert, Matt Bardin is with us today to discuss how to increase the reading levels of middle and high-school struggling students. He is an educator with 25 years of experience and founder of Zinc Learning Labs. He has written on adolescent literacy for the Hechinger Report and The 74. He...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I focus on the reading habits of teenagers with high school English teacher, Beth Donofrio. Beth has her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education for English and her master’s degree in Children and Adolescents at Risk from Harvard. She is a conference speaker, editor, and author of the book, Champions Way: Inspiring Stories from the Journeys of Hometown Champions...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, podcast host and educator Dr. Lisa Hassler steps away from her usual interview format to share her own educational journey—one filled with adversity, perseverance, and transformation. Lisa reflects on her early passion for teaching, sparked during a high school preschool partnership program, and how her plans shifted dramatically whe...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I focus on a classical curriculum. Can using a classical curriculum approach to teaching students in pre-school through grade12 increase student reading and overall academic achievement? Reading and math rates across the nation are spiraling down with no end in sight. It begs the question; how did we get here as a nation and what can we do to fix it?  In line with the knowl...