Beyond the Worksheet

In this bonus episode of Beyond the Worksheet, Dr. Jess Laine continues sharing her journey through the world of studio teaching as her career begins to gain momentum. From stepping onto the set of You and having a memorable (and slightly awkward!) moment with Penn Badgley, to working on a large-scale international film, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like in the entertainment industry.Dr. Jess reflects on how these experiences shaped her growth as an educator—building confidence, learning to adapt, and deepening her commitment to individualized learning. She also shares how working in smaller, flexible environments allowed her to truly meet students where they are in ways traditional classrooms often cannot.This episode highlights the moments, relationships, and lessons that helped define her teaching philosophy—and sets the stage for the next chapter in her journey.

In the season finale of Beyond the Worksheet, Dr. Jess Laine reflects on the key insights from her research and the bigger picture of what truly drives student success. While discovery learning and innovative approaches can support achievement, this episode emphasizes that no single method guarantees engagement—relationships, school culture, and access to resources matter just as much.Dr. Jess also shares honest reflections on the limitations of her study and highlights the need for future research that captures both data and real classroom experiences. She offers clear recommendations for educators, leaders, and researchers, emphasizing the importance of balance, equity, and ongoing growth in education.This episode leaves listeners with a powerful takeaway: meaningful learning happens when students feel supported, challenged, and connected, and improving education requires ongoing collaboration and curiosity from everyone involved.

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine continues her studio teaching journey, sharing stories from a fast-paced and unforgettable year in 2017. From touring with The King and I to working with young talent on Nickelodeon projects, she gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to balance education with the entertainment industry.You’ll hear memorable moments from celebrating birthdays during a tornado warning, teaching on a Disney Cruise, and even stepping in as a background “teenager” during filming. Dr. Jess also shares her experience working on her first reality TV show, where safety, adaptability, and quick thinking were essential on a constantly rolling set.This episode highlights the unique, unpredictable, and rewarding nature of studio teaching—and the relationships and experiences that make it all worth it.

In this episode of Beyond the Worksheet, Dr. Jess Laine shifts the focus beyond the classroom to the people who play a critical role in shaping education—parents, community members, and policymakers. Drawing on the findings from her dissertation, she breaks down what the research really says about student engagement, academic achievement, and the role of instructional methods like discovery learning.Dr. Jess emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While approaches like Montessori can support academic success, meaningful change depends on strong school culture, teacher support, and equitable access to resources. She offers practical guidance for parents on how to advocate for their children and for leaders on how to create policies that support both engagement and learning.This episode highlights a key takeaway: improving education requires a collective effort—and real change happens when families, educators, and policymakers work together to create environments where all students can thrive.

In this episode of Beyond the Worksheet, Dr. Jess Laine takes a deeper look at the real-world challenges of implementing discovery learning in today’s schools. While research shows the potential of student-centered approaches, this episode explores the barriers that often stand in the way, including limited resources, gaps in teacher training, policy pressures, and equity issues.Dr. Jess Laine breaks down how school systems, accountability demands, and access to support can shape what actually happens in classrooms. She also highlights the importance of investing in teachers, providing meaningful professional development, and creating environments that foster innovation.This episode is an honest conversation about what it takes to move from theory to practice, and why meaningful change in education requires time, support, and intentional action.

In this episode of Beyond the Worksheet, Dr. Jess Laine tackles a common question in education: How much structure should discovery learning really have? Drawing on research and insights from her dissertation, she explores the debate between guided and unguided learning and explains why effective classrooms rarely sit at either extreme. Instead, the most successful approaches balance student exploration with intentional teacher scaffolding. Dr. Jess shares practical strategies teachers can use to support discovery without taking over the learning process, like starting lessons with meaningful questions, breaking projects into manageable steps, and encouraging student reflection. She also discusses common pitfalls, such as providing too little guidance and leaving students overwhelmed, or too much structure and turning discovery into another worksheet. This episode offers educators a realistic roadmap for finding the “sweet spot” where curiosity, support, and meaningful learning can thrive.

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jess Laine shares the moment her studio teaching career truly began to take off. After years of piecing together freelance opportunities, 2016 became a turning point when she landed a role on Netflix’s The OA, marking her first major television production. From working alongside talented young actors to navigating the fast-paced world of TV sets and national tours, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the hustle and growth that come with building a career in studio teaching.Dr. Jess also reflects on the relationships that shaped her journey, including meeting a future colleague and friend, and stepping into the world of California studio teaching for the first time. It’s a story about perseverance, unexpected opportunities, and the moment when scattered experiences finally begin to come together into a meaningful career.

In this episode, Dr. Jess Laine translates the research findings from her dissertation into practical, classroom-ready takeaways. After examining both engagement and achievement data, she answers the question every educator is asking: What do I actually do with this information?From prioritizing relationships and building strong classroom communities to incorporating voice, choice, and guided discovery, Dr. Jess shares actionable strategies teachers can implement immediately, whether they work in a traditional or Montessori setting. She emphasizes the power of blending structure with exploration, showing how direct instruction and discovery learning can work together to deepen understanding.If you’re looking for realistic, research-based ways to increase engagement and support meaningful learning, this episode is your roadmap.

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.

In the premiere episode of Beyond the Worksheet, Dr. Jess Laine explores the growing crisis in student engagement and academic achievement—and why discovery learning may be part of the solution. Drawing directly from her dissertation research, this episode breaks down what discovery learning really is, how it compares to traditional methods, and what the data shows about its impact on student outcomes. If you're an educator looking for more meaningful ways to reach your students, this is where the journey begins.

Hi, I’m Dr. Jess Phelps—but in the podcast world, you’ll hear me go by Dr. Jess Laine. I’ve been an educator since 2005 and a California Studio Teacher since 2011, and honestly, teaching is my calling. I began teaching middle and high school math in the classroom immediately after graduating with a degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. From day one, my mission has been simple: help students feel confident in math and believe in their ability to succeed—even if they’ve struggled before.Over the years, I’ve worked in all kinds of educational settings: public schools, private schools for students with learning differences, and online classrooms. I’ve been an online math instructor since 2014, creating lessons that are clear, encouraging, and tailored to each student’s needs. I also make quick, to-the-point math videos on YouTube—check out my channel, Jesslaine Live, where I help students grasp tricky concepts in just a few minutes.Another unique part of my journey? I’ve spent more than a decade working in the entertainment industry as a California Studio Teacher. That means I teach young actors on set—making sure they stay on track academically while also looking out for their well-being. I’ve worked on productions like Stranger Things, Special Ops: Lioness, Walker, Fuller House, and Mixed-ish, and the yet-to-be-released film, Michael. I’ve even toured with Broadway shows and Kidz Bop!I teach all subjects and grade levels on set, but my specialty is supporting students in higher-level subjects, such as math, science, and AP courses. I love creating personalized learning experiences—whether I’m teaching online, in person, or between takes on a film set.I earned my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership from Bethel University, which enabled me to delve even deeper into how students learn and how we can improve education for everyone.Now, as Dr. Jess Laine, I’m excited to bring all of this experience into the podcast world—sharing stories, strategies, and real talk about what helps students truly thrive. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just curious about how kids learn best, I’m glad you’re here.

Beyond the Worksheet is the podcast for educators who are ready to break free from busywork and reimagine what real learning looks like. Hosted by Dr. Jess Laine, a passionate educator and researcher, each episode explores innovative, student-centered teaching methods that go deeper than the surface—from discovery learning and project-based instruction to inquiry, creative assessment, and more.Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or education student, you’ll gain practical strategies, research-based insights, and honest conversations about what works (and what doesn’t) in today’s classrooms.Because worksheets have their place—but learning should go beyond them.