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.