Teachers Next Door Podcast

teachersnextdoorpodcast
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What happens when two veteran teachers, former administrators, and sports moms finally hit "record"? You get the unpolished truth about life in the classroom. Because let’s be honest: no one survives the school day alone. I’m Michelle, and I’m Nicole.  Whether you’re looking for a fresh perspective on pedagogy, a safe place to vent, or just a friendly voice to remind you that you’re doing a great job in the trenches, you’ve found your people. Welcome to the Neighborhood. The door is always open.  Join our online community: Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  1. 12h ago

    Ask Us Anything - Part 2

    In Part 2 of our Ask Us Anything series, we’re answering more of your questions with honest reflections, practical ideas, and a few stories that take us delightfully off topic. We’re talking about careers beyond the classroom, the PD books we actually reach for, and why educational assistants are magical lifelines in our schools. We also get real about setting boundaries, carrying the emotional weight of students’ stories, what genuine support from administration looks like, and why you’re never too experienced to need a mentor. And because it wouldn’t be Teachers Next Door without a little laughter, we’re weighing in on questionable icebreakers, classroom pets we’d never agree to, and parking-lot pump-up songs. Whether you’re coming off a tough week or just need a little teacher-to-teacher connection, please pull up a chair. We’re glad you are here.   Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  2. Nov 3

    Ask Us Anything - Part 1

    This week on Teachers Next Door, we're answering questions straight from our listeners, and things get real quickly. We kick things off with a Halloween recap (candy hangovers and full moons, oh my), then dive into the questions our incredible listeners sent our way. Would we choose teaching in a different decade? Without knowing each other’s answers, we are transported to the 90s, with less tech, more play, and better music. How do we actually decompress during prep time? Spoiler: closed doors and good playlists are involved. And the big one: knowing what we know now, would we still become teachers? We get honest about the joy of working with kids, the weight of everything else, and why boundaries have never mattered more. We also tackle whether teaching is a good profession for a parent, what our families really think about our jobs, and why we're done sugarcoating the reality for new teachers entering the field. It's raw, it's honest, and it's only Part 1. Tune in next week for Part 2! Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  3. Oct 27

    Promote What You Love: Podcasts, Books & Beyond

    What do a true crime podcast, a hockey wives podcast, and a book about a giant octopus have in common? They're all on Nicole and Michelle's favorites list! In this "Promote What You Love" episode, the Teachers Next Door share their top podcast picks, must-read books, and go-to social media accounts.  They keep it light with zero gatekeeping and 100% genuine enthusiasm! Whether you're looking for your next listen, your next read, or a little daily inspiration, this episode has you covered. Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  4. Oct 20

    Partnering Up: The Learning Conference Playbook

    Whether you call them learning conferences, or parent-teacher interviews, one thing's for sure, they can absolutely feel like the Indy 500 of the school year. In this episode of Teachers Next Door, Michelle and Nicole break down what makes learning conferences work, from different formats and school structures to the frameworks that help families leave feeling informed and supported. They share practical tips for parents who aren't sure what to ask, dig into why "clear is kind" when it comes to honest conversations about student progress, and get real about the chaos of conference night…dry mouth, indigestion, and all. Plus, they discuss strategies like "glows and grows," student reflection sheets, and how to bring in admin support when conversations get tough. Whether you're a teacher prepping for your next round of conferences or a parent walking in not knowing what to expect, this episode will help you show up ready to partner, ask the right questions, and keep the focus on supporting the whole child. Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe!

  5. Oct 13

    Coffee, Kids and Gratitude

    In this week’s episode, Michelle and Nicole are leaning into gratitude. They chat about the personal morning practices that keep them grounded, the classroom rituals that help students find the good, and the small, everyday moments of connection at school that make the hard days worth it. From sticky notes to saved voicemails to cry-laughing in the hallways, this episode is a reminder that gratitude doesn't mean ignoring the struggle in the messy, beautiful, exhausting world of teaching and everyday life, it means finding the light alongside it.  Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  6. Oct 6

    Find Your People: The Power of Teacher Besties and Teams

    Teaching is rewarding and it's also exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes just plain ridiculous all at the same time. There are some things you can handle on your own, while other things require a text or a hallway conversation that starts with, "You're never going to believe what just happened." In this episode, Michelle and Nicole are talking about the power of teacher friendships and strong teams including how they find their people, how they support each other, what makes a great teammate, and why no teacher should have to do this job alone. From team teaching adventures and job-share partnerships to the unique loneliness of administration and the joy of finding your sisterhood in a grade-level team, they share the stories and the people that have helped shape them as educators and as humans. Plus, they play a fun round of Teacher Bestie Bingo! If your colleague has ever saved you a seat at a staff meeting, talked you out of sending that email, or reminded you that you are in fact doing an incredible job, you may have found your person. The best teacher friends and teaching teams make the hard days lighter, the funny days funnier, and the whole job that much more possible.   Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  7. Sep 29

    September is a lie.

    Remember in July when you thought, "This year, I'm going to have it all together"? Welcome to September — where lesson plans are scribbled on sticky notes, to-do lists multiply by the hour, and teachers are running on pure caffeine and survival instincts. In this episode of The Teachers Next Door, Michelle and Nicole get brutally honest about the September overwhelm they promised themselves wouldn't happen this year. From compound stress that rolls like a snowball down a hill, to the relentless routine fatigue of walking that hallway for the fourth time, nothing is off the table. They dig into decision fatigue, the urgency that never lets up, and the hilarious (and humbling) moments that come with being an educator in what can seem like the hardest month of the year. Michelle and Nicole also share the small promises they've kept to stay sane and what they plan to keep, toss, and add as they head into October. If you’re looking forward to wrapping this month up, this episode is for you. September is not the whole story. It just feels like the loudest chapter.   Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

  8. Sep 22

    Teachers Next Door Welcome Teachers Tea

    What happens when two teacher besties decide to share a classroom and a business? We're sitting down with Kaila and Kristi, the duo behind Teachers Tea, to talk about the magic of team teaching, how they strive to keep the joy in this demanding profession and how they have built a business from an Instagram page to a full-fledged brand. We dive into how their three-teacher double classroom actually works, why they believe collaboration is the secret to thriving and not just surviving, and how working part-time helps them protect themselves from burnout. They share the real origin story of Teachers Tea, from free choice boards during COVID to a growing business serving teachers across Alberta with plans to expand across Canada. We also get into the stuff every teacher needs to hear including why you need to take email off your phone, stop comparing your classroom to Pinterest, and just do the hard thing, even when it's messy. Plus, they talk about their favorite resources they've created, how they divide the workload between teaching and business, and what building community means to them including their legendary annual Teacher Appreciation Week giveaways. Grab your coffee, because despite the name, Kaila and Kristi do not drink tea! Join us for a conversation about finding joy in the chaos of teaching. Thank you for being here!   Can you please help us grow the Teachers Next Door Podcast? Please rate & review on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-next-door-podcast/id1887084571 Please rate & review on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7bBmnnzYtjqIa4IdHjJqgZ?si=cf8d766e8c5a4759 Join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. You can also find us on Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok! Please like and subscribe! Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to explore?  Please visit our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com or email us at hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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About

What happens when two veteran teachers, former administrators, and sports moms finally hit "record"? You get the unpolished truth about life in the classroom. Because let’s be honest: no one survives the school day alone. I’m Michelle, and I’m Nicole.  Whether you’re looking for a fresh perspective on pedagogy, a safe place to vent, or just a friendly voice to remind you that you’re doing a great job in the trenches, you’ve found your people. Welcome to the Neighborhood. The door is always open.  Join our online community: Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

Information

  • Creator
    teachersnextdoorpodcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Teachers Next Door Podcast

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