Teachers Next Door Podcast

teachersnextdoorpodcast

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. 46m ago

    Recharge and Rejuvenate: A Teacher's Summer Bucket List

    🎉 You're almost there!  Put down the pen, close that computer, and grab your iced coffee — because summer is HERE and we are celebrating YOU. In this episode, Michelle and Nicole are diving into the ultimate teacher summer bucket list, and trust us, it's got a little something for everyone. We're talking total relaxation, rediscovering who you are outside of the classroom, and just a sprinkle of low-key inspiration for next year (emphasis on low-key). Nicole is dreaming about time at the lake, and Michelle is already booking massages before the school year is officially over — because why wait until July to start feeling human again? If you're the type who hits June running on fumes and then spends the first two weeks of summer wondering why you still can't relax… this episode is your permission slip to slow down, recharge, and actually enjoy the summer you've been dreaming about. Let’s dive in. You've more than earned it. ☀️ Thank you for being here!   Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    38 min

  2. Jun 9

    Countdown (or Not): Finishing The Year Strong!

    June is here, the energy is off the charts, and teachers everywhere are asking the same question: how do we make these last few weeks memorable while keeping everyone sane? In this episode, Michelle and Nicole dive into their favourite end-of-year classroom activities, games, and traditions — the ones that don't break the bank but create memories that stick. From Floor Is Lava days and glow parties to shaving cream on desks, summer bucket lists, and enjoying popsicles outside, this episode is packed with simple, joy-filled ideas to help you and your students finish the year strong. Whether you keep things routine right until the last bell or go all-out with themed days, there's something here for every classroom. Tune in, get inspired, and send your students off into summer with a smile. You ALL deserve it!   Thank you for being here!   Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    42 min

  3. Jun 2

    The Other Half: What It’s Really Like Being Married to a Teacher

    We're keeping it in the family this week! For our very first guest appearance on Teachers Next Door, we're handing the mic to the men who know us best — our husbands. What did they think they were signing up for when they married a teacher? (Spoiler: lots of vacation time.) What do they actually deal with? (Spoiler: late nights, report card season, and a very organized household.) From the real hours teachers put in, to the strict rules, to who's making dinner during parent-teacher interview week — Brandon and Derek hold nothing back. It's honest, it's funny, and it might just make every teacher spouse out there feel very seen. Tune in for a fun and candid conversation about life on the other side of the classroom. Thank you for being here!   Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    36 min

  4. May 26

    Celebrating 10 Episodes: Teacher Hills Worth Dying On

    This week, Michelle and Nicole are celebrating their 10th episode - with their favourite diet sodas, of course!  Then, they get right into an animated discussion about the hills they will absolutely die on as educators, and the ones they're willing to walk right on past. From the power of relationships and rapport to equitable learning, smaller class sizes, the importance of play and outdoor time, and the sacred phrase "I'll wait" — Nicole and Michelle are drawing their hard lines in the sand and sharing why these beliefs shape everything they do in the classroom. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode will have you nodding along — and maybe rethinking a few hills of your own.   Thank you for being here!   💌 What hills will you die on? What hills are you willing to walk right on by?  Drop us a line and let us know! Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    33 min

  5. May 19

    The Real MVPs: A Thank You to Teachers

    Behind every breakthrough and every career choice, there is a teacher who saw our potential before we did.  Teachers don’t just deliver curriculum—they help build people. This week, your Teachers Next Door get personal!  Michelle and Nicole reflect on some of the educators and mentors who shaped who they are today—the ones who provided safety, sparked confidence, and showed up when it mattered most. It’s a tribute to the quiet heroes and the legacy they leave behind. Who is the teacher you’ll never forget? Whether they gave you the courage to speak up or the safety to fail, we want to honor them. Join the conversation by sending us a DM on Instagram or an email—we’re sharing your stories of the educators who go above and beyond. Thank you for being here!   Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    45 min

  6. May 12

    Work Smarter, Not Harder: Top Teacher Efficiency Tips

    Work Smarter, Not Harder: Top Teacher Efficiency Tips Do you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the school day?  In this episode, Nicole and Michelle swap their go-to strategies for getting more done without burning out. From building rock-solid routines and leveraging student helpers, to the “Three Before Three” method and a paper bin system that will transform your desk — these tips are practical, teacher-tested, and ready to use Monday morning. They also get real about setting boundaries, asking for help, and why working as a team is one of the most powerful efficiency tools you will ever have. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a seasoned veteran, there's something in this episode for everyone. Thank you for being here!   💌 Do you have a teacher efficiency tip you swear by? Please send it to us — we'd love to share it with the Teachers Next Door Podcast community! Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    33 min

  7. May 5

    Stories Worth Telling: Our Path To Becoming Children’s Book Authors

    Have you ever dreamed of writing a children's book but had no idea where to start — or kept telling yourself "someday"?  In this episode, your hosts Michelle and Nicole, get real about their journeys to becoming published children's book authors. They share the light bulb moments that sparked their stories, how they made time to write while juggling full-time teaching and motherhood, and the wild (and vulnerable!) experience of putting their books out into the world. From choosing hybrid publishers and surviving rounds and rounds of edits, to an accidental early book launch and epic book launch parties and signings — this episode is packed with honest behind-the-scenes moments. You'll also get a peek inside both of their books, plus hear their best advice for anyone who has a story inside them waiting to be told. You can purchase our books online through the links on our website www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.   Thank you for being here!   Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.  We love to hear from our listeners!

    32 min

  8. Apr 28

    You Can't Make This Up: Funny Classroom Stories

    Ever wonder what really goes on inside a school? Spoiler: it's nothing like the corporate world. In this episode, Michelle and Nicole swap a few of their most unbelievable, hilarious, and downright chaotic school stories — the kind that make you think, there is no way that just happened.   They chat about the difference between school lunches and lunches in the corporate world, the surprises that children sometimes bring in their backpacks and the number of wiggly teeth they see in a day - these are the moments that no job description could ever prepare you for. There are unspoken realities of the teaching profession and they only scratch the surface of the stories they could tell. If you're a teacher, you're already nodding along. If you're not, welcome to the world where anything — and we mean anything — can happen. Bring your sense of humor... hopefully this episode doesn't make you too queasy. Thank you for being here!   Please join our online community on Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast. 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.

    26 min
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Teachers Next Door Podcast

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