Think you’re a “visual learner” or that your brain only works if information is served just right? Jen and Bri are here to bust that myth wide open. They dive into the pseudo-science behind learning styles, unpacking why tailoring teaching to “auditory, visual, or kinesthetic” preferences just doesn’t hold up in real research.

A seminal study by Pashler et al. (2008) found no solid evidence that matching teaching to learning styles improves outcomes (read it here). Later research by Nancekivell et al. (2023) shows that believing in learning styles can actually bias how students’ abilities are perceived (read it here).

Instead, Jen and Bri highlight smarter strategies: Universal Design for Learning, which makes classrooms flexible for everyone, and metacognition—helping students actually understand how they learn, not just what they prefer.

Jen and Bri also give shout-outs to some students who have absolutely blown their minds this week with incredible progress, proving that focus, strategy, and curiosity beat labels any day.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see why learning styles are a myth, and how paying attention to how students think and learn can make all the difference—without needing to know if they’re “visual” or “auditory.”

Back-to-school routines can feel like an Olympic sport—but fear not, there’s no perfect formula. Jen and Brian compare their wildly different habit-building styles—Bri, the early-morning swimmer who thrives on structure, and Jen, the forgetful whirlwind navigating life with a Rube Goldberg–style system of reminders, alarms, and little “traps” to avoid leaving anything behind…only to sometimes realize halfway down the street that she forgot something anyway.

From trial-and-error to observing what actually works, this episode is all about embracing your quirks, surviving the chaos of mornings, and finding a routine that actually works for you. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, you’ll pick up practical lessons and helpful hacks to make back-to-school mornings a little less stressful—and a lot more manageable.

Episode 1: Advice to Our Past Selves

Ever wish you could hop into a time machine and tell your younger self a thing or two? In this episode of Hall Pass, Jen and Brian take a trip down memory lane and share three pieces of advice we’d give our past selves—covering school, learning, and life in general.

But here’s the twist: would our younger selves have actually listened? Or would they have rolled their eyes, shrugged, and kept doing things their own way?

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just curious about how kids (and adults) learn, this episode is your pass to honest, relatable, and occasionally hilarious insights from two people who’ve been there, done that, and are still learning.

Hall Pass: Your official permission slip to talk about everything education related—no homework, just honesty.

We’re Jen and Brian: educators, entrepreneurs, and seasoned pros in the supplemental education world. On Hall Pass, we dive into learning, classrooms, and the highs (and occasional chaos) of Ontario’s education system—exploring what it really means for students, parents, and teachers.

In this episode: we introduce Hall Pass and explain why we’re handing you the ultimate permission slip to talk openly about school, learning, and everything in between. Expect candid conversations, practical insights, and yes… Brian telling the second-best joke he knows (maybe one day he’ll share the first).

From study hacks and parent challenges to teacher wins and classroom stories, nothing’s off-limits. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just curious about how kids learn, Hall Pass is your backstage pass to the world of education—fun, real, and unapologetically honest. Grab your Hall Pass, buckle up, and join us for the ride.