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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 when she became a mother at 18. From there, her path was anything but linear. Over the course of more than a decade, while raising four children—two of whom are neurodivergent—Lisa worked, studied, and taught her way through her associate’s, bachelor’s, and eventually her doctoral degree.

Her story includes:

• Teaching with the United Way in low-income schools
• Subbing in Catholic schools and supporting students with learning and behavioral challenges
• Becoming a full-time first grade teacher while raising a gifted child, an average learner, and two children with developmental and reading challenges
• Using her lived experience to advocate for students who don’t fit into standardized molds

Lisa’s message is both personal and universal: we are all exactly where we’re meant to be, and our lived experiences can become the most powerful tools for change. This episode not only chronicles her academic and personal path, but also reveals the deep roots behind The Brighter Side of Education—a podcast shaped by compassion, data, and purpose.

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If you have a story about what's working in your schools that you'd like to share, email me at [email protected] or visit www.drlisahassler.com. Subscribe, tell a friend, and consider becoming a supporter by clicking the link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support.

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.