Teachers Next Door Podcast

Epizode

• 
  Emotional Backpacks: What We Carry Into the Classroom 15.09.2026 25min

  Every educator carries an emotional backpack into the classroom, filled with the stories, struggles, and life events we may not always see in each other. In this episode, Nicole opens up about navigating her family member's recent cancer diagnosis while returning to the classroom, the guilt of putting work before family, and the hard lessons she's learned about setting boundaries and asking for help. Michelle shares her own experience of loss and the moment she knew she had to step away from school entirely. Together they explore the unspoken side of teaching: writing sub plans from hospital beds, showing up when you're barely holding it together, and reminding themselves that family comes first. It's an honest, vulnerable conversation about the weight we all carry and the permission to ask for what we need. Thank you for being here!   As Amazon Associates, we do earn commission from purchases made through these links. https://linktr.ee/teachersnextdoorpodcast 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].
• 
  Picture Books Are Pure Magic 08.09.2026 35min

  What if the most powerful thing in your classroom only has a few pages? In this episode, Michelle and Nicole share some of their favorite picture books for the classroom, the ones they return to year after year for building community, supporting social-emotional learning, sparking big conversations, and helping students dream big. From The Circles All Around Us to A Good Thing Happened Today, The What Ifs to Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, they dive into how each book opens doors to empathy, growth mindset, self-discovery, and classroom connection. You'll hear practical ideas for using mentor texts in writing, morning meetings, and beyond, plus a few heartwarming stories along the way, including one involving a vintage kindergarten book and another that includes a wake surfing montage. Whether you're a teacher building your classroom library, a parent looking for meaningful reads, or just someone who believes picture books are pure magic, this one's for you. Come for the book recommendations, stay for the inspiration!   Thank you for being here!   All of the books that were shared on this episode have been added to our shop!  As Amazon Associates, we do earn commission from purchases made through these links. https://linktr.ee/teachersnextdoorpodcast 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].
• 
  First Year Feelings and Fresh Starts: A Back to School Episode 01.09.2026 36min

  No matter where you are at with back to school set up, or how many days you have had curious learners in your care, this back to school episode is for you. Nicole is heading back into the classroom. She is teaching grade three for the first time and feeling like a first-year teacher all over again. Michelle is returning to an associate principal role, a position that feels like a homecoming but comes with a whole new playbook. Together, they reflect on the wisdom from the trending two-part series with Laurie McIntosh, carrying her reminders about boundaries, relationships, and the truth that "clear is kind" into the new school year. They share what their new spaces look like, from Nicole's intentionally organized classroom with subject-area zones to Michelle's student-friendly office designed to be a welcoming space. They dig into the reality and necessity of setting up systems and routines in August that will pay off all year, and why relationships matter more than diving straight into curriculum.  Here’s to fresh starts, new routines, and giving ourselves permission to go slow to go fast. You’ve got this.   Thank you for being here!   You can still browse our LinkTree Shop!  As Amazon Associates, we do earn commission from purchases made through these links. https://linktr.ee/teachersnextdoorpodcast 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].
• 
  Part 2: Boundaries, Wellness and Building Community with Laurie McIntosh 25.08.2026 31min

  In the second half of our conversation with teacher, author, and advocate Laurie McIntosh, we dig into the topics educators need to hear most. Laurie shares about her work with the Outside Pin Consulting collective, her upcoming role mentoring student teachers, and why teacher wellness has to be at the center of everything. We explore what it really means to set boundaries as an educator, not as walls, but as kindness to ourselves and to others. Laurie breaks down her "clear is kind" philosophy, how saying no actually builds trust and community, and why productive struggle matters just as much among colleagues as it does with students.  She also reflects on the lasting relevance of Teachers These Days, drops a hint about her next book for anyone who's ever left a PD session thinking "Yeah, but how?", and shares some must-read picture books to kick off the school year with connection and community at the forefront. Pull up a chair, and get comfy because this is one conversation you will be happy to have in your pocket! You can find Laurie online at https://www.lauriemcintosh.ca/ and @mrsmacskinders on Instagram. Thank you for being here!   You can still browse our LinkTree Shop!  As Amazon Associates, we do earn commission from purchases made through these links. https://linktr.ee/teachersnextdoorpodcast 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].
• 
  Part 1: We Were Never Meant To Do This Work Alone with Laurie McIntosh 18.08.2026 33min

  She's our most requested guest, and we were thrilled when she accepted our invite to join us on the Teachers Next Door podcast.  We are incredibly honoured to welcome Laurie McIntosh, aka Mrs. Mac's Kinders, to the show!  Laurie is a kindergarten teacher, author, speaker, and advocate who brings pure heart and relentless joy to education. In this first part of our conversation, Laurie takes us through her winding journey into teaching, one that includes rejection, heartbreak, healing, and ultimately falling in love with kindergarten.  Together, we talk about giving kids voice and choice, the difference between knowing your students and actually using what you know about them, why we need to stop "awfulizing" and start celebrating wins, and the one mindset shift every teacher could bring into the classroom this year. Laurie also shares what's next for her: a new role with Outside Pin Consulting, and preparing future educators at the University of Lethbridge. Grab a cup of coffee and press play. This episode is special. You can find Laurie online at https://www.lauriemcintosh.ca/ and of course, at @mrsmacskinders on Instagram. Thank you for being here!   You can still browse our LinkTree Shop!  As Amazon Associates, we do earn commission from purchases made through these links. https://linktr.ee/teachersnextdoorpodcast 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].
• 
  Back-to-School Must-Haves: Classroom Supplies We Swear By 11.08.2026 34min

  In this episode, Nicole and Michelle each share their personal, tried-and-true lists of classroom essentials heading into a new school year. From Flair pens to electric pencil sharpeners, magnetic manipulatives to dry-erase pocket sleeves, they're revealing the tools, gadgets, and supplies they genuinely can't teach without. Nicole is heading back into the classroom and Michelle is making the move into administration so their lists overlap in some fun and surprising ways. Plus, they dish on the great pencil sharpener debate (do you let the kids use it?), the legendary "Woah Boa," must-have teacher snacks, and the student who doubled as a personal AirTag. Whether you're a new teacher building your classroom from scratch or a veteran replenishing your go-tos, this episode is packed with practical ideas and a few laughs along the way.   Coming up next week: a brand new episode that you won’t want to miss!  Thank you for being here!   All of the items mentioned can be found in our Linktree Shop: https://linktr.ee/teachersnextdoorpodcast As Amazon Associates, we do earn commission from purchases made through these links.   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].
• 
  From Neighbours to Guests: Teachers Next Door Stop By After The Bell 04.08.2026 52min

  This week, Michelle and Nicole join The Stunt Brothers, Martin and Roy, as guests on the After the Bell podcast for a lively podcast crossover conversation about teaching, podcasting, and the incredible friendships that exist behind both shows. They dive into class sizes, the invisible workload of teaching, favourite classroom moments, and the joy of finding "your people" in this profession.  Funny, honest, and full of heart, this ‘podcast within a podcast’ is a must-listen for teachers everywhere!   You can find the After The Bell podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favourite podcasts!    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, too!  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]. 
• 
  The Summer Reset Series Part 4: The Gentle Runway - Back On Your Terms 28.07.2026 20min

  In the final episode of their summer series, Michelle and Nicole explore what it really means to ease back into the school year without losing the peace you worked so hard to find this summer. They chat about who's actually listening to the podcast (surprise: it's not just teachers), why the "all or nothing" approach to back-to-school is overrated, and the small, intentional shifts they're each making this year — from asking for help setting up classrooms, to refusing to let summer "end" just because the bell rings. If you're worried about school starting up in the fall, this episode is your permission slip to take off on your own terms instead of feeling launched out of a cannon. Coming up next week: Michelle and Nicole are podcast guests for the very first time when they join the Stunt Brothers on the After the Bell podcast!  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].
• 
  The Summer Reset Series Part 3: Letting Go of Teacher Guilt 21.07.2026 19min

  You survived another school year and now it's time to thrive this summer without the guilt. In this episode, Michelle and Nicole dive into the real, year-round phenomenon of teacher guilt and why it hits extra hard once the school year ends.  They unpack why teachers struggle to switch off (spoiler: there's no "shutoff valve" built in to the job), how the "back to school" content cycle creeps in way too early, and why comparison on social media can quietly steal your rest.  Drawing a parallel to high-performance athletes, they reframe rest as an essential part of doing the job well, and share practical boundary-setting strategies to help you actually recharge this summer. They also chat about the wild response to their husbands' guest episode before wrapping up with a preview of the 4th segment of their series: “The Gentle Runway”, which is all about stepping back into the classroom on your own terms. 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].
• 
  The Summer Reset Series Part 2: Reclaiming Your Identity 14.07.2026 24min

  Who are you when you're not teaching? Michelle and Nicole take on their toughest challenge yet: a whole conversation with zero talk of school! Trading questions back and forth, they rediscover the people behind the "teacher" label: the yogi, the outdoor enthusiast, the creator, the competitor, and of course, the friend. A candid, joyful look at what fills their cups outside of work, and why reclaiming your own identity might be the best thing you do this summer! Find one of your friends or family members, and use some of these questions as your guide while you rediscover your identity outside of teaching this summer:  If you had to give an elevator pitch about who you are, but you aren't allowed to include your profession what would you say? If you had a completely free weekend, with zero family, zero household, zero professional obligations, what's the very first thing you would choose to do? What's a physical activity, sport, or hobby you love the feeling of playing regardless of whether you win or lose or you get a specific result? If you were forbidden to talk about your career and couldn't talk about your family, what would you say really brings you joy? What did you love doing when you were 10 or 12 years old before life got really structured and scheduled?  Where do you feel the most grounded and at peace when you're outdoors? What does true rest look like for you when you're not just trying to recover from exhaustion? What does rest look like when you're trying to actually fill your tank up with joy? 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! 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].
• 
  The Summer Reset Series Part 1: The Art of the Clean Break 07.07.2026 24min

  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 emotional goodbyes on the last day of school, this episode is a candid, funny, and heartfelt look at what it really takes to decompress. They also share practical rituals—removing school email from their phones, planning slow mornings or lunch dates with friends, and giving themselves grace and credit for a job well done—to help you fully unplug and recharge. Plus, a sneak peek at what's coming next in the series: reclaiming your identity outside the classroom. Grab a coffee, kick off your shoes, and join Michelle and Nicole as they give themselves (and you) permission to truly rest this summer.   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! 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].
• 
  Never Say Never: Our Journeys In and Out of Administration 30.06.2026 32min

  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 leadership roles, to the quiet niggle that pulled them both back into the classroom, and the parallels they re-discovered between teaching and administration along the way. In this episode, Michelle and Nicole discuss some upcoming changes for the next school year, too! Whether you're a teacher curious about administration, an administrator longing to head back into the classroom, or simply considering a career change within education, this episode is for you! 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 [email protected]. 
• 
  The Balls Teachers Drop (And Why That’s Okay) 23.06.2026 31min

  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 diamond, June is officially in full effect. Nicole and Michelle break down the chaos across three areas of life: school, home, and just being a human being with friends and feelings. If you've ordered Skip the Dishes twice this week, sent a child to school with a yogurt tube and a prayer, or found yourself lying awake at 11pm wondering if you booked your summer appointments, this episode is your life raft. Because here's the truth: none of these dropped balls are made of glass. The kids will be fine. The school year will wrap up. And you are going to make it to the other side. Come paddle across the finish line with us.  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 [email protected]. 
• 
  Recharge and Rejuvenate: A Teacher's Summer Bucket List 16.06.2026 37min

  🎉 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 [email protected]. 
• 
  Countdown (or Not): Finishing The Year Strong! 09.06.2026 42min

  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 [email protected]. 
• 
  The Other Half: What It’s Really Like Being Married to a Teacher 02.06.2026 35min

  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 [email protected]. 
• 
  Celebrating 10 Episodes: Teacher Hills Worth Dying On 26.05.2026 32min

  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 [email protected].
• 
  The Real MVPs: A Thank You to Teachers 19.05.2026 44min

  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 [email protected]. 
• 
  Work Smarter, Not Harder: Top Teacher Efficiency Tips 12.05.2026 33min

  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 [email protected].  
• 
  Stories Worth Telling: Our Path To Becoming Children’s Book Authors 05.05.2026 32min

  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 [email protected].  We love to hear from our listeners!