Teachers Next Door Podcast

In this first episode of our four-part Summer Reset Series, Michelle and Nicole dive into the art of the clean break: why it's so hard for educators to switch off after 10 months of go-go-go, and how they're each navigating the transition into summer this year.  From swapping "teachery" wardrobes for shorts and sundresses, to cleaning out classrooms (and teacher bags) for good, to the surprisingly...

Have you ever felt a calling so strong it scared you, but you couldn't stop thinking about it? In this episode of The Teachers Next Door, Michelle and Nicole answer one of their most frequently asked questions: what led them into school administration, and what brought them back to the classroom? Both hosts share their honest, heartfelt journeys from the unexpected paths that drew them into leader...

It's June and if you're a teacher, you already know what that means. Report cards, field trips, end-of-year concerts, and a brain so full it starts leaking into your real life. This week, Nicole and Michelle get real about all the balls they're currently dropping (and the ones they're barely keeping in the air). From tornado nightmares and forgotten permission slips to golf shoes at the ball diamo...

🎉 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...

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 partie...

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 ho...

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,...

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 mos...

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...

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...

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...

Big changes are happening with one of your favourite Teachers Next Door! After 21 years with the same school board, Nicole is making a leap of faith to a brand new board — and she's calling it the 21-year itch and the new teacher twitch.  In this episode, Nicole gets real about the nerve-cited feelings that come with starting fresh: unwritten parking lot rules, staff room seating, and rebuilding h...

In this episode of the Teachers Next Door podcast, Michelle and Nicole dive into the exciting yet exhausting final months of the school year.  They discuss resetting expectations after spring break in April, the emotional rollercoaster of May, and the need to lean on one another during the month of June. They talk about the need to be present with students, taking the time to reflect on how far th...

In this week’s episode, Michelle and Nicole give you a glimpse inside a “typical” day in the classroom—well, typical… if most things actually go according to plan. As proud Canadians and seasoned sports moms, they compare teaching to a hockey game—complete with pre-game prep, puck drop, intermission, chaotic line changes, and the final push to the end of the game. And just when you think the final...

Step inside with us - Michelle and Nicole -  in our very first episode of the Teachers Next Door Podcast!  We're two friends, former administrators, teachers, and sports moms sharing the real stories about how we met, why we became teachers, and the how and why behind the Teachers Next Door Podcast.  Reheat your coffee, pull up a chair and get to know us a little better as we launch our first epis...

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 j...