Episode 7: Boredom Is Not the Enemy — Why Kids Need More “Nothing” in Their Day
In this episode of The Hall Pass Podcast, Jen and Brian tackle one of parenting’s biggest villains: boredom. Or is it? In a world of colour-coded calendars, back-to-back activities, and constant stimulation, they make the case that boredom isn’t a failure of parenting—it’s a gift. Jen and Brian unpack what really happens when kids have nothing to do, and why those quiet, “I’m bored” moments are often where creativity, resilience, and independent thinking begin. They explore how unstructured t...
13 Dec 2025
Episode 6: Math Crisis? An EQAO Emergency on the 2025 Results
In this emergency episode, Jen and Bri unpack the 2025 EQAO results — focusing especially on math, where about half of students meet expectations. They take you through the history and purpose of the EQAO assessment, clarifying what it measures (and what it doesn’t), and analyzing the latest data with an eye toward what it means for your child and Ontario’s schools. Jen and Bri dig beneath the headlines to highlight areas where students have shown progress, and where challenges remain. The ma...
3 Nov 2025
Episode 5: Progress Reports Unpacked — What They Really Mean for Your Child
Progress reports are more than just a checklist or a grade snapshot—they’re a window into your child’s learning journey. In this episode, Jen and Bri break down what progress reports actually measure, why they matter, and how they fit into the bigger picture of your child’s education in Ontario schools. You’ll learn how to read between the lines of those comments and marks, what questions to ask your child’s teacher, and how to use this information to support your child’s growth—whether they’...
What is an IEP, really—and how does it shape your child’s learning experience in Ontario schools? In this episode, Jen and Bri take you behind the scenes of the Individual Education Plan process, breaking down the myths, the meaning, and the mechanics of how schools support diverse learners. They trace how IEPs began, what’s required by law, and how they’re used day-to-day in classrooms. You’ll hear real-world insights about what works well, what often falls short, and how small communication...
17 Sept 2025
Episode 3: The Myth of Learning Styles
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 Nancekiv...
10 Sept 2025
Episode 2: Routines That Don’t Ruin Your Life
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 w...
31 Aug 2025
Episode 1: Advice to Our Past Selves
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...
31 Aug 2025
Episode 0: Here’s Your Hall Pass
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 sl...
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