Explore every episode of the podcast Teachers Next Door Podcast

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!  

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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.

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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: 

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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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com. 

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com. 

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 hello@teachersnextdoorpodcast.com. 

🎉 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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

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!

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.

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 her school cred from scratch. The conversation gets real when Michelle and Nicole talk about leaving behind the comfort of familiar faces, inside jokes, and the colleagues who just get you.  

Michelle reflects on her many years at the same school and why she so deeply admires Nicole's courage to embrace change. 

To round out the episode, they share some chaotic school moments, ask a few not-so-fast rapid-fire questions, and laugh about the songs that often get them through the week.

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.

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 their students have come, and trying to find balance (is that possible?) amidst the mayhem.

Whether you're looking for tips on managing spring chaos or just want reassurance that you will survive this time of year, this episode offers a quick glimpse into an educator's journey from April to June. Remember, you ARE doing enough, and are doing a great job!

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.

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 buzzer has sounded? 

Not a chance. 

As a teacher, you’re heading straight into overtime… every. single. day.

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 teachersnextdoorpodcast@gmail.com.

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 episode. We are glad you are here!

Join our online community:

Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast

www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.

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.

Join our online community:

Instagram @teachersnextdoorpodcast

www.teachersnextdoorpodcast.com.