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 the story doesn’t end there. The instructional method alone wasn’t the only factor influencing achievement. School culture, teacher effectiveness, and broader support systems also played critical roles.

This episode unpacks the nuance behind the numbers and explores what the findings mean for teachers, administrators, and families who want to make informed decisions about student success.

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 tutoring jobs and online teaching to freelancing on Broadway tours and national productions, this episode explores the emotional reality of trading stability for possibility. It’s a story about risk, resilience, and rediscovering joy in education. If you’ve ever felt the pull toward something different but feared the unknown, this episode is for you.

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 participation—it's about belonging, motivation, and connection. Dr. Jess reveals what the data said, what it didn’t, and why school culture and teacher relationships matter just as much as curriculum design.

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?

You’ll hear how she defined key terms, selected participants, measured outcomes, and ensured the study stayed ethical, relevant, and grounded in the realities of public education. Whether you're a researcher, educator, or simply curious about how educational studies work, this episode makes research accessible—and meaningful.

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 value of personalized learning.

You’ll hear the challenges she faced, the joy she found in small wins, and how these early experiences shaped her philosophy that real learning starts with connection—not compliance.

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 of translating research into practice.

If you’ve ever wondered whether discovery learning actually improves engagement and achievement, or how research applies to your school’s reality, this episode offers clarity, context, and insight backed by real-world data.

“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 implementation is key.

You’ll hear what the research says (and doesn’t say), what critics argue, and why the brain science supports active, inquiry-based learning. Whether you're new to discovery learning or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode offers a clear, research-anchored guide to what it really is—and why it matters.

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 chaotic schedules, and find the heart of learning in the most unexpected places.

From backstage school sessions to surprise makeup duties, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to teach without four walls, and why relationships, flexibility, and relevance matter more than anything.

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 examples to real-world classroom dynamics, this episode unpacks the pros, limitations, and surprising findings that challenge common assumptions. Whether you're an educator, parent, or education leader, you'll walk away with a clearer understanding of what really separates these models—and why it matters.

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 passion, trusting your instincts, and discovering what education can look like when you throw out the script—literally.