Professor on Your Side

Dr. J Tramantano
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  • Updated Weekly

Each week, Dr. T brings together parents, educators, and students for meaningful conversations that connect the journey from high school to higher education. Dr. T shares practical strategies on everything from executive functioning and study skills to self-advocacy, emotional well-being, and family communication. Whether you’re helping your student prepare for the next step, guiding diverse learners in your classroom, or navigating college life yourself, this podcast is your trusted space for clarity, encouragement, and connection.

  1. Aug 10

    How to Build Student Agency and a Strong Learning Identity with Jewellyn Forrest

    How to Build Student Agency and a Strong Learning Identity with Jewellyn Forrest In this episode of Professor On Your Side, Johanna interviews educator, consultant, and Learning Mountain creator Jewellyn Forrest, who has spent over 33 years teaching and coaching from pre-K through college and now leads Autonomy Learning. They discuss why a student’s learning identity—seeing oneself as a learner who belongs, persists through challenge, and stays curious—can matter as much as content knowledge, and how adult language and school performance culture can shape or undermine that identity (e.g., “not a math person” or defining kids by reading levels). Forrest shares practical ways to build agency by pausing, asking “What have you tried?”, resisting “rescuing,” and taking a long-range view, including scaffolding tasks like writing emails. They also explore integrating social-emotional learning into the learning process through the Learning Mountain model, and reframing the college transition as a new learning experience supported by resources and networks. For more information about Autonomy Learning https://www.autonomylearning.com/ Follow https://autonomylearning.substack.com/

  2. Jun 6

    One Student Researcher's Mission: Put Learning Science in Students' Hands

    In this episode, Dr. Johanna David-Tramantano sits down with Tolly Gershberg, a junior in Potomac, Maryland, and research fellow at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning. Tolly took evidence-based learning science off the shelf and turned it into a practical, student-friendly guide covering focus, reading, note-taking, studying, and test-taking — and it's already reached over 500 students. For more information about Johanna's book: https://www.collegeconnectbook.com/

  3. Apr 19

    The College Transition for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Conversation with Elizabeth Hamblet

    In this eye-opening conversation, Johanna sits down with Elizabeth Cohen Hamblet , a learning specialist and leading expert in college disability services and transition planning who has worked in college disability offices for over 20 years and is the author of Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities Elizabeth breaks down the critical differences between disability support at the high school and college levels, dispels widely held myths about IEPs and 504 plans, and shares actionable strategies families can start using right now — no matter what grade their student is in. Whether you're a parent, educator, coach, or student, this episode is packed with information that will change the way you think about college preparation. Learn more about Elizabeth C. Hamblet's work here! Thank you for listening to Professor on Your Side! If this episode was helpful, please rate, review, and share — and stay tuned for more conversations about navigating education with clarity and confidence.

  4. Mar 24

    Ready to Thrive: Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities and Health Conditions for the College Transition: A Conversation with Annie Tulkin

    Dr. Johanna Tramantano interviews Annie Tulkin, CEO and founder of Accessible College, about college preparation and transition for students with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and chronic health conditions, often with co-occurring diagnoses. They emphasize student self-advocacy, researching disability office staffing and mission statements, and setting accommodations up early because they are not retroactive and require active student management (e.g., reserving exam accommodations in advance). Tulkin describes helping families plan logistics like medication refills, insurance, and infusions, recommends starting by junior/senior year, and encourages educators to seek specialized resources when needed. Annie Tulkin is the CEO and Founder of Accessible College, as well as an educator, author,  and public speaker. She is an expert in the area of college preparation and transition for students with physical disabilities and health conditions. Website: www.accessiblecollege.com Facebook: AccessibleCollege Instagram: AccessibleCollege Accessible College provides 1-on-1 college preparation and transition support for students with physical disabilities and health conditions. Learn more about our services. Online Courses: 1. Signature Course: Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities and Health Conditions for College: This self-paced course is designed for parents, educators, counselors, and healthcare providers. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) CEUs.  2. Dorm Life and Daily Routines: Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities for College Independence: On-Demand. Designed for OTPs, healthcare providers, educators, students, and parents.  Instructor: Christie Cyktor, OTD, MS, OTR/L. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) CEUs. 3. College Preparation Bundle: "Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities and Health Conditions for College" + "Dorm Life and Daily Routines: Preparing Students with Physical Disabilities for College Independence". 4.Bringing a Personal Care Attendant to College: The Experiences of Students and Families: On-Demand. Three part series featuring students with PCAs and their parents. Free.  Accessible College’s Physical Disability Resources  1. Partnership with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Accessible College has a partnership with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Students with any type of paralysis can work with Annie Tulkin for free for up to 3 hours.  2. Navigating the Transition to College with Paralysis:  A comprehensive guide written by Annie Tulkin for the Reeve Foundation. 3. A Wheelchair User’s Guide to Preparing for College and How to Secure Housing and Manage PCA Services at College. 4. United Spinal: Wheels on Campus-20 wheelchair friendly campuses guide:  This is a guide that United Spinal and New Mobility Magazine put together. It features the most wheelchair accessible campuses and discusses college options for wheelchair users. 5. Accessible College and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): Working Together to Support Students: A series of resources and webinars created by Accessible College with MDA. Health Conditions/Visual Impairments: 1. When Students with Health Conditions Transition to College: This post talks about executive function skills that are essential for students with health conditions in the college setting.  2. How Can Students with Health Conditions Successfully Navigate the College Transition?: This post focuses on preparing students with health conditions to be able to self advocate in college.  3. Perkins School for the Blind-College Readiness Resource Center: Accessible College worked with the Perkins School to create this site to support students, families, and educators.

  5. Jan 17

    Preventing Burnout: Building Systems for Student Success

    This motivational video on #executivefunctioning and #collegesuccess explores why student burnout is rarely about laziness and almost always about broken systems. Students juggling academics, work, family responsibilities, and mental health need sustainable executive functioning supports—not self-criticism—to thrive.In this video, we unpack the real causes of student burnout, tracing the origins of the term “burnout” to psychologist Herbert Freudenberger and examining how chronic stress disrupts learning, motivation, and well-being. Designed for students, parents, and educators, this episode offers practical, research-informed strategies to strengthen executive functioning skills, build supportive systems, and prevent burnout before it derails academic success. Learn how prioritizing connection, realistic expectations, and intentional support leads to resilience and long-term student success in high school, college, and beyond.https://www.npr.org/2016/12/08/504864961/when-a-psychologist-succumbed-to-stress-he-coined-the-term-burnoutBurnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycleby Emily Nagoski PhD, Amelia Nagoski DMA#collegesuccess#studentburnout#motivational#academicsuccess #collegetransitionsupport#executivefunctioningskills#highereducationsuccessDisclaimer: The views shared on this channel are my own and do not represent any institution. All content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or professional advice.

  6. 12/23/2025

    Understanding the Science of Reading for Parents and Educators

    In this Reading Masterclass, Dr. T explains the Science of Reading in clear, practical terms, helping parents and educators understand how reading develops, what progress should look like, and how to support children with dyslexia and other learning differences.In this episode, you’ll learn: How children learn to read—from phonemic awareness and phonics to decoding and comprehension, what the Science of Reading means (and what it doesn’t), how reading instruction has evolved from Whole Language and Balanced Literacy to Structured Literacy, key early literacy milestones from pre-K through 2nd grade, why multilingualism matters in reading development, common myths about dyslexia, letter reversals, and reading struggles, and practical steps parents can take at home—and smart questions to ask schools about reading programs and assessments. Whether your child is thriving or struggling with reading due to dyslexia, or other learning differences, this masterclass will help you better understand their reading journey and advocate for the instruction they need.🔑 The Five Essential Components of Reading (Identified by the National Reading Panel)Phonemic AwarenessPhonics – Systematic instruction in letter–sound relationshipsFluency – Reading with accuracy, rate, and expressionVocabulary – Knowing and understanding wordsComprehension – Making meaning from text (the ultimate goal of reading)🧠 Instructional Approaches to Reading• Whole Language – Emphasizes immersion in books with minimal phonics instruction.• Balanced Literacy – Combines literature with some phonics, often using leveled texts and guided reading.• Three-Cueing System – Encourages students to guess words using meaning, structure, and visual cues rather than decoding.• Science of Reading – A body of interdisciplinary research explaining how the brain learns to read; shows that reading is not natural and must be explicitly taught.• Structured Literacy – An evidence-based approach aligned with the Science of Reading, featuring explicit, systematic phonics instruction.• Decodable Texts – Texts designed to match taught phonics patterns so students practice decoding instead of guessing.📊 Reading Models & Assessment Tools• Scarborough’s Reading Rope – A model showing how word recognition and language comprehension strands work together to create skilled readers.• Screeners – Brief assessments used to flag potential reading difficulties.• Diagnostic Assessments – In-depth tools used to identify the specific source of a reading challenge.National Reading Panel Report:https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pubs/nrp/Documents/report.pdfhttps://www.apmreports.org/episode/2019/08/22/whats-wrong-how-schools-teach-readingHow the Brain Learns to Read - Prof. Stanislas Dehaenehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25GI3-kiLdoDisclaimer: The views shared on this channel are my own and do not represent any institution. All content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or professional advice

  7. 12/14/2025

    Failed College Classes: How Parents Can Help Their Freshman Get Back on Track

    Did your college freshman fail a class this semester—or even two—and come home overwhelmed, embarrassed, or scared? You’re not alone, and this is not the end of their college journey. In this video, Dr. T walks parents through exactly what to do next when a student struggles academically during their first year of college.You’ll learn how to support your student through the emotional impact of failing a class, understand the academic and GPA consequences, navigate financial aid and SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) concerns, and prepare for critical conversations with academic advisors and financial aid offices. This video breaks down what colleges typically do when a freshman fails classes—and how parents can help students build a realistic recovery plan.In this video, you’ll learn:What failing a college class really means (academically & emotionally)How GPA, credits, and academic probation workWhen financial aid, scholarships, and SAP may be at riskWhat questions your student should ask their academic advisorHow to help your student create a 4-part recovery planDisclaimer: The views shared on this channel are my own and do not represent any institution. All content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or professional advice.

  8. 12/07/2025

    Essential Strategies to Help Your High Schooler Stay Organized

    Essential Strategies to Help Your High Schooler Stay Organized In this episode, Dr. T, a seasoned educator and literacy specialist, explores effective strategies for helping high school students develop organizational skills in today's distraction-filled world. Drawing from psychological research and her two-decade experience, she emphasizes practices like body doubling, piloting, reflecting on strategies, modeling organizational habits, and using block scheduling. Dr. T provides insights into why traditional methods may not work and how parents can guide their teens in building sustainable organizational systems tailored to their needs. Article mentioned: Rosen, Larry. “The Distracted Student Mind — Enhancing Its Focus and Attention.” Kappanonline.org, 16 Oct. 2017, kappanonline.org/rosen-distracted-student-mind-attention/. Disclaimer: The views shared on this channel are my own and do not represent any institution. All content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or professional advice.

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About

Each week, Dr. T brings together parents, educators, and students for meaningful conversations that connect the journey from high school to higher education. Dr. T shares practical strategies on everything from executive functioning and study skills to self-advocacy, emotional well-being, and family communication. Whether you’re helping your student prepare for the next step, guiding diverse learners in your classroom, or navigating college life yourself, this podcast is your trusted space for clarity, encouragement, and connection.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. J Tramantano
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. J Tramantano
  • Show Website
    Professor on Your Side