Promote What You Love: Podcasts, Books & Beyond

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!

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 [email protected].

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.

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.

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 [email protected].