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What if students with dyslexia and dyscalculia had access to the right support from the very start? Join Dr. Lisa Hassler and global education leader Dr. Livia Pailer-Duller as they discuss effective, research-based strategies to help students with learning differences thrive.

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Pailer-Duller, CEO of the American Dyslexia Association and co-founder of Learnedy, explains how sensory processing impacts reading, spelling, and math development—and why traditional repetition-based interventions often fail.

Drawing from decades of research and global best practices, she shares practical advice for teachers, parents, and schools seeking to create more inclusive, supportive environments for neurodiverse learners.

🔎 Topics covered:

• Understanding dyslexia and dyscalculia as sensory processing differences
• Why early testing and multisensory support matter
• Global success stories in inclusive education
• Practical tips for families and educators navigating learning differences

Together, we explore how rethinking support can change the story for students around the world.

To explore more resources for supporting students with dyslexia and dyscalculia, visit Learnedy: American Dyslexia Association, Inc. 
Parents Sign up link: https://parents.learnedy.com/register/
Parents can create a free account for their child until the start of school next year.

💡 This episode is CPD accredited!
 Educators can now earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) minutes by listening. To claim your certificate:

1. Listen to the full episode
2. Visit https://thecpd.group/podcast
3. Enter code 800115 to check in and download your certificate

Continue your professional growth—one episode at a time.

Great News! The Brighter Side of Education is now CPD Accredited! 

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Head to the show notes to find if this episode is CPD eligible and details on how to claim your CPD certification!

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Support the show

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.

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What makes a great educational leader? In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Lisa Hassler sits down with her mentor and dissertation chair, Dr. Carla Sparks, to explore how professors shape the next generation of school leaders through resonant, research-driven mentorship.

Dr. Sparks, Program Director of Educational Leadership at National Louis University, shares insights from her work in emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and systems leadership. She also reflects on her experiences launching single-gender public middle schools in Florida, and discusses her inspirational book, Be the Manatee—a guide to leading with calm, strength, and authenticity.

🔎 Topics covered:

• The power of resonant leadership in shaping educational practice
• How mentorship and modeling influence future school principals and superintendents
• Lessons learned from single-gender education initiatives
• How Be the Manatee encourages leaders to stay grounded, wise, and authentic
• The importance of staying a learner as a leader

If you believe in leading with both heart and mind, this conversation will inspire and energize you.

To learn more about Be the Manatee and Dr. Carla Sparks' leadership philosophy, visit https://a.co/d/9rKRMc4 or ask for the book at your favorite bookseller.

💡 This episode is CPD accredited!
 Educators can now earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) minutes by listening. To claim your certificate:

1. Listen to the full episode
2. Visit https://thecpd.group/podcast
3. Enter code 800116 to check in and download your certificate

Continue your professional growth—one episode at a time.

Great News! The Brighter Side of Education is now CPD Accredited! 

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Head to the show notes to find if this episode is CPD eligible and details on how to claim your CPD certification!

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Support the show

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.

Send us a text

How can one school board member make a lasting difference in students' lives? In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Lisa Hassler speaks with Eric Robinson, former Sarasota County School Board member and education advocate, about how leadership and local policy decisions can transform schools from within.

Eric shares powerful stories from his time on the board — from donating his salary to buy culturally responsive curriculum materials, to advocating for flexible learning pathways that honored how students actually learn. He also reflects on the core principles that guided his work: student-first leadership, humility, and a willingness to listen to teachers and parents as true partners.

🔎 Topics covered:

• The role of school board members in shaping real change
• How flexible curriculum decisions closed achievement gaps
• Why student-centered leadership requires humility and trust
• The importance of building alliances across political and community lines

If you're passionate about educational leadership, policy reform, and putting students at the center of decision-making, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

💡 This episode is CPD accredited!
 Educators can now earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) minutes by listening. To claim your certificate:

1. Listen to the full episode
2. Visit https://thecpd.group/podcast
3. Enter code 800118 to check in and download your certificate

Continue your professional growth—one episode at a time.

Great News! The Brighter Side of Education is now CPD Accredited! 

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Head to the show notes to find if this episode is CPD eligible and details on how to claim your CPD certification!

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Support the show

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.

Send us a text

What happens when traditional teaching isn't enough to help struggling readers succeed? In this special first episode, Dr. Lisa Hassler is joined by teacher and longtime friend Erin Phillips to discuss how blending online learning strategies with classroom instruction can significantly boost reading achievement.

Drawing from her own classroom experience, Erin shares how she adapted virtual learning tools to meet the diverse needs of her third-grade students — many of whom were struggling to meet critical reading benchmarks. Dr. Hassler connects their conversation to her own research study, An Evaluation of Virtual School's Preparation of Second Grade Students for Third Grade Reading Proficiency, highlighting how online platforms can serve as powerful tools for differentiated instruction.

🔎 Topics covered:

• The urgent third-grade reading crisis and its long-term effects
• Using online learning strategies to close reading achievement gaps
• The emotional and social toll of reading struggles on young learners
• Practical blended learning approaches for primary classrooms

This episode launched The Brighter Side of Education by reminding us that taking the first step — with heart, with friendship, and with research — can change everything.

💡 This episode is CPD accredited!
 Educators can now earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) minutes by listening. To claim your certificate:

1. Listen to the full episode
2. Visit https://thecpd.group/podcast
3. Enter code 800119 to check in and download your certificate

Continue your professional growth—one episode at a time.

Great News! The Brighter Side of Education is now CPD Accredited! 

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Head to the show notes to find if this episode is CPD eligible and details on how to claim your CPD certification!

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Support the show

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.

Send us a text

Hosted by Dr. Lisa Hassler, an educator and parent, The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation, & Resources is a research-informed podcast offering action-based solutions for teachers and parents. Committed to spotlight innovative individuals who bring about positive change in education, its primary mission is to connect educators and parents to resources that pave the way to a brighter future for our children. 

Lisa is an approved CPD provider. Listen and earn continuing education credits on accredited episodes towards your education recertification. Details are in individual episode show notes.

 The podcast's music was created by Brandon Picciolini, her son, from The Lonesome Family Band. You can explore more of his work on Instagram.

Support the show

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.