Dr. Lisa R. Hassler

What makes a student suddenly care about history?

For Christopher Berg, Ph.D. it was a high school history teacher, an American Revolution musket, and a classroom moment he never forgot.

The story is a reminder that how students encounter history matters. When history moves beyond memorization and textbook coverage, it can help students think, question, evaluate evidence, and understand their place in the human story.

In the full episode, Chris and I discuss the purpose of history education, the importance of historical thinking, and why these skills matter in an age shaped by social media and AI.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Lmz4j2Hk_rA?si=U5CciOSRvjKVWjyH

How we respond when a student gets a math problem wrong may matter more than we realize.

In this clip, Dr. Aditya Nagrath explains why incorrect answers shouldn’t be treated as failure. Using a basketball analogy, he reframes mistakes as part of the learning process: the ball didn’t go in this time—adjust, practice, and take another shot.

Changing how we respond to mistakes can help students build a healthier relationship with mathematics and greater confidence in their ability to learn.

Watch the full episode of The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & Resources: Hot to Identify and Treat Math Anxiety in Learners https://youtu.be/Fswy6F3FFz4?si=51Ld-XmN9TchJOvv

Dr. Nagrath is the founder of Elephant Learning and author of Treating Mathematics Anxiety: Inclusive Strategies for Working with Students Exhibiting Mathematics Anxiety.

🎓 The Brighter Side of Education is a CPD-accredited podcast for educators.

Why are so many students missing school?

In this short clip, Dr. Ivory Toldson offers a powerful shift in thinking: instead of “fighting absenteeism,” what if schools focused on increasing student participation?

In the full episode, Dr. Toldson discusses his research on chronic absenteeism, including insights from more than 17,000 ethnographic home visits. He explores how health, transportation, family instability, school climate, and systemic barriers often shape attendance patterns in ways schools may not see from the outside.

Watch the full episode: Why Students Miss School: A Human-Centered Approach to Absenteeism | Dr. Ivory Toldson to hear practical advise on using a human-centered approach to better support students and families and get students back in school.

https://youtu.be/BcDjmyunMPc?si=STQ3rqWWN7L-cqah

Why are so many students missing school?

In this short clip, Dr. Ivory Toldson offers a powerful shift in thinking: instead of “fighting absenteeism,” what if schools focused on increasing student participation?

That means looking beyond the absence itself and asking what might be getting in the way. Transportation, health, family responsibilities, school climate, and communication barriers can all affect whether students are able to show up consistently.

In the full episode of The Brighter Side of Education, Dr. Toldson shares what his research has revealed through more than 17,000 home visits and explains why a human-centered approach can help schools better support students and families.

Watch the full episode: Why Students Miss School: A Human-Centered Approach to Absenteeism | Dr. Ivory Toldson

In some schools, students can’t take a class… because there’s no teacher available.

That was something Maurice O’Shannassy shared in this conversation—and it really stuck with me.

Students ready to take higher-level math, but no teacher to teach it.
And it’s not just one place—it’s happening in different parts of the world.

It makes you pause and think:
How often does access to learning depend on what a school is able to staff?

This isn’t about a lack of effort. Teachers and schools are doing a lot with what they have.
But it may point to something bigger—how learning is organized.

Sharing a short clip from the conversation here 👇

It started with rubber bands, popsicle sticks, and a small group of kids.

And then… everything clicked.

In this clip, Rick Hartman shares the moment he realized how powerful toybuilding could be for learning. Watching students build, experiment, and light up with understanding changed everything.

Sometimes the simplest materials lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/pLDhr-K-uqc

Grammar helps writers shape meaning, clarity, and voice.

In this short clip from my conversation with literacy expert Patty McGee, she shares a beautiful way to think about grammar instruction:

“Grammar is style. Grammar is making meaning on the page.”

When students explore how sentences work and experiment with language, grammar becomes a natural part of writing.

Watch this short clip from our conversation on The Brighter Side of Education.

Full episode here: https://youtu.be/RdGagImmJEg

Focus isn’t just about trying harder.

In this short clip, Dominic Fedele explains why repetition matters — and how the brain strengthens through structured practice over time.

If students seem mentally tired or distracted more quickly than before, it may not be motivation. It may be a skill that needs development.

We talk more about this in the full episode:
Rebuilding Student Focus: Neuroscience-Informed Cognitive Training

Watch here: https://youtu.be/vHMoBQhupkY

We often hear that screens are the problem.

But what if screens could actually help strengthen focus?

In this short clip, we talk about how game-like brain training uses technology in a different way — structured, intentional, and designed to build attention skills.

It’s an interesting shift in perspective.

Watch the full episode here:
Rebuilding Student Focus: Neuroscience-Informed Cognitive Training
https://youtu.be/vHMoBQhupkY