A student’s future should not depend on whether their school can find a qualified chemistry teacher this year—but that’s often how geography-bound education works.

When the PISA 2022 report revealed declines in performance and widening gaps across countries, it’s easy to point to motivation or effort. This conversation takes a different angle: what if the real constraint is the structure of schooling and how learning is organized?

Dr. Lisa Hassler is joined by Maurice O’Shannassy, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Sagecool. With a background in building complex global systems, Maurice turned his attention to a growing issue in education: teacher shortages and limited access to subject expertise. He shares how Sagecool is designed to connect students and teachers beyond geographic constraints, helping schools and families better match learning needs with teacher expertise and teaching approaches.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

how staffing limitations affect access to learning opportunities
how access to the “right teacher” goes beyond availability to include subject expertise and student fit
what it could look like to connect students with teachers beyond their local school
how data and learning enhancement technology (LET) can support teaching and learning
what this approach could mean for rural and lower-resourced schools and communities

This conversation invites educators, school leaders, and families to reflect on where access—not effort—may be limiting opportunity, and to consider how expanding access to teaching could better support students and teachers alike.

💡 This episode is CPD accredited! Educators can now earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) minutes by listening. To claim your certificate:

Listen to the full episode
Visit https://thecpd.group/podcast
Enter code 800164 to check in and download your certificate

Listen. Learn. Earn.

Great News! The Brighter Side of Education is now CPD Accredited!

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Head to the show notes to find if this episode is CPD eligible and details on how to claim your CPD certification!

Sponsored by Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., DMD
Trusted dental care for healthy smiles and stronger communities—building brighter futures daily.

Support the show

If you have a story about what's working in your schools that you'd like to share, email me at lisa@drlisahassler.com or visit www.drlisahassler.com. Subscribe, tell a friend, and consider becoming a supporter by clicking the link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support.

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

When Schools Can’t Find the Right Teacher: Expanding Access to Learning