Nurturing Educators

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a teacher steps outside her comfort zone to grow in a completely new environment? Emily, a third-year social sciences teacher, shares her journey transitioning from a Catholic school to a diverse, lower socioeconomic school. Unlike many who switch roles due to burnout, Emily made a deliberate choice to explore new approaches early in her career—a move that brough...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a passionate primary teacher returns to the classroom after time off to raise her kids? Melita, a dedicated educator with 15 years' experience, shares how motherhood gave her a fresh, empathetic lens on teaching.  She opens up about how parenting deepened her understanding of students and their families—how knowing what happens at home can shape more compass...

Send us Fan Mail Teaching in a new country comes with its fair share of challenges—but also incredible rewards. In this episode, UK-born educator Laura shares her inspiring journey from the classrooms of East London to an all-girls college in New Zealand, revealing how adaptability and an open mind shaped her career.  Laura's path to teaching wasn’t a straight line. A sharp-eyed English teach...

Send us Fan Mail Will’s journey from professional designer to passionate educator provides the perfect foundation for his role in creating an innovative school makerspace. Inspired by his own art teachers, he pursued his long-held dream of teaching after a decade in the design industry, bringing valuable real-world creative experience into education.  Described by Will as a “technology library,” t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever thought about how something as fun as the Spice Girls could kickstart a lifelong love for learning a language? Join me, Debbie Ross, as I chat with the amazing Claire. A passionate language teacher whose journey from learning Spanish in high school to fluency after living Argentina is anything but ordinary. We dive into how her love for Spanish not only changed her life but a...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to be inspired by Carol, an extraordinary educator whose teaching journey began later in life but is rich with insights and passion? Carol, originally from Edinburgh but calls New Zealand home, shares her captivating story of transitioning from balancing role books by hand to navigating the digital transformation of classrooms. With a keen eye on the evolution of teaching, s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I chat with Sarah, an inspiring educator who has spent over 15 years balancing her passion for teaching with family life. Sarah’s journey took her from a sports-oriented education to various leadership roles, including acting deputy principal. She shares valuable insights into the significance of working with intermediate-aged students, the impact of extra-curricu...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what it takes to transition from a bustling career in publishing to the heartwarming yet challenging world of primary education? Meet Sam, my long-time friend and a dedicated primary school teacher & reliever who shares her transformative journey and the pivotal moments that guided her to teaching. Through her experiences, Sam reveals the joys and hurdles of nurtur...

Send us Fan Mail Cricket aficionado turned educator, Mark Orchard, takes centre stage in our latest episode, sharing his remarkable transition from the pitch to the classroom. Discover how Mark channels the discipline and fervour of his sports career into teaching at a Boys College, while also prioritising self-care. Mark's refreshing perspective on economic living and the art of recharging d...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine uprooting your life and moving across the globe to prioritize education and cultural experience. That's exactly what Ellie, our passionate languages teacher from Seoul, Korea, did when her family relocated to New Zealand. This episode of Nurturing Educators invites you to discover Ellie's journey of teaching Chinese and Japanese in a new cultural landscape for ov...

Send us Fan Mail How does an inspiring educator manage to find peace amidst the chaos of teaching? Join me, Debbie Ross, as I chat with Gordon, a seasoned teacher who opens up about his journey from enthusiastic novice to an advocate for self-care and balanced living. Gordon shares the pivotal moments that led him to prioritize his mental well-being, offering practical strategies like leaving work...

Send us Fan Mail Nicole, a dedicated dance and drama teacher and head of faculty, shares her journey of balancing a demanding career with personal well-being. She emphasises the importance of self-care strategies like running and staying socially active to maintain energy and focus. Through teamwork and delegation, she not only lightens her workload but also fosters a supportive and collaborative...