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.
