After the Bell: Teaching Tips With a Twist

The Stunt Brothers Visit The Teachers Next Door

• The Stunt Brothers • Season 2 • Episode 42

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In Episode 72 of After the Bell, the Stunt Brothers kick things off by talking about warm weather, water restrictions, and extending an open invitation to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to spend some time on the show. The duo then discuss how they find inspiration by listening to other podcasts and share some of their favourites. This conversation leads them to today’s guests, Michelle and Nicole from the Teachers Next Door Podcast. Drawing on years of friendship and classroom experience, these two Alberta educators have created a podcast that feels genuine, relatable, and straight from the heart, qualities that the Stunt Brothers immediately connect with. Join us as we talk teaching, podcasting, the joys and chaos of education, and probably a few stories that are best left out of the official staff meeting minutes.

Learn more at stuntbrothers.ca

keywords
education, teaching, podcasting, teachers, teacher stories, teacher life, Alberta teachers, teacher books, teacher community

key  topics

  • Teacher podcasting journey
  • Impact of teachers on students' lives
  • Misconceptions about teaching profession





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STS With The Stunt Brothers

Speaker 3

Good afternoon, podcast listeners everywhere. Welcome to After the Bell, a Stunt Brothers production. I'm Martin Stuible.

Speaker 5

And I'm Roy Hunt, and we share your pain, having taught a combined 70 years. 70 years. I know. Wow. So get out your marking, organize your supplies, or just pour yourself a coffee. I think I need something stronger. That's okay. Okay. And listen, engage, and interact with After the Bell, a podcast for you, the hardworking, dedicated teacher who wants free lesson plans, free advice, and a free meal.

Speaker 3

Well, I always show up for a free meal. Good to start with a laugh.

Speaker 5

It's always good to start with a laugh. It just gets better after this. What's your torso there? Tarsels. Yes. Yes. It's just that uh to reach your height, I have to sit on the edge of my seat like you do. So I think that's it. It kind of says something about your personality. Oh okay. Wow.

Speaker 3

Oh this is how it's gonna be. This is how it's gonna be. Fighting words, my friend.

Speaker 5

No, it's not. Okay, good. No. Well, I don't have a booster seat, and I'm I'm the same height as you. You're looking good, Ty. Brush my beard, brushed my hair. Trevor Burrus, Jr. You're finally my equal. Right? Finally. Finally. I mean, I've never strived for that. I like where I am and I like where you are. And you don't want to be where I am, and I don't want to be where you are. There you go.

Speaker 3

Well, where we are, it's episode 72. So you do the season part.

Speaker 5

And then I say, oh, it's season two, episode 42. Yeah. And then you and then you say, wow, you really uh remembered that well, Roy. Aaron Powell Well done. Thank you.

Speaker 3

That's the script. Okay. That's the script. We're done. Trevor Burrus, Jr. Which is so clear that we do not have. But it's good. We're into June. We know teachers are crawling to the finish line. Limping. Please hang in there. Trevor Burrus I think people dragging them behind. Yeah. And then the weather just took a bit of a turn, but it's starting to warm up, and here we are, mid-June and looking at summer.

Speaker 5

Trevor Burrus And we're expecting some really warm weather coming up. So that's exciting.

Speaker 3

Trevor Burrus Yeah. Yeah. And uh watch your water usage gets a we've already cut. We've already got water restrictions at this point here. Stage three.

Speaker 5

And that's stage three before we even really get into any of the summer weather. So uh stage four is uh stage four is is there anything past stage four?

Speaker 3

Stage four is it that's when there's been an earthquake. Like stage four is when water is just reserved for drinking only. But we've never failed that would be held for the most extreme circumstances. Right. So stage three, you can still water your flowers and your vegetables, the hose. Well lucky for you. Yeah. Yes, that would create a lot of anxiety. Trevor Burrus, Jr. Well, it would be insane because that's an ecosystem that's so important to the life that comes to that pond and that area and all the vegetables that we get from there that clearly. Yes.

Speaker 5

You can't water the food you eat, you're in trouble.

Speaker 3

Trevor Burrus, Jr.: But you don't need water in your pool.

Speaker 5

Or over your car. Yeah. Yes, yes. You can pay you can pay for a car wash to re to wash your car and they recycle the water. I guess that's why it works. That's why it works so well.

Speaker 3

Trevor Burrus, Jr. Well, guess who I received an email from? Trevor Burrus, Jr.: Who?

Speaker 5

Because if I guess it's going to take forever, it would be the end of the podcast, and I still wouldn't do that.

Speaker 3

Premier Wob Canoe. Wow. Or at least an assistant for Premier Wob Canoe. Okay. That sounds more like it. Trevor Burrus Well, I was listening to him on uh my favorite show on uh CBC with Matt Galloway, and he was talking about the new uh cell phone band that they're bringing in into uh Manitoba in terms of also the social media restrictions for kids under the age of sixteen. And he was very eloquent about it, very passionate about it, very realistic about, you know, this is just it's setting a standard, right? We know it's a challenge to enforce, right? But it's just kind of setting a model that places like Australia and others have tried. So I heard him. I go, why not enforce Wob Canoe? Wab Canoe. Very eloquent, very passionate man, great writer too, onto the podcast. So I got a nice email back saying just can't fit it in right now. Trevor Burrus, Jr. So it's kind of busy. Yeah. A little busy with CBC. But uh if you're listening, Wob, we still welcome it. It's an open invitation. Yes. And uh you're we're you're always welcome here in our in our box in the studio. There you go. Yeah.

Speaker 5

Well, I I saw a a video of him in an el elementary school and he started at the front door. First of all, the the students went crazy because he was there. I mean the fact that this kid kids know and understand who he is and the and the important job that he's doing and what he's doing. And then he just went from the door of the school all the way to the back door of the school, and the kids were lined up in the hall. I saw that. And he just, you know, high fives, high fives all the way through. And uh it was uh there's a there was a a great energy there. Yeah. And I don't think many politicians would pull that off the way.

Speaker 3

He is the most popular premier in the country by far in all the surveys. And it's because he's real. I think other politicians could take a lesson from him, right? He's real. If he makes a mistake, he admits it, but he's just a real person and he's passionate. I think people appreciate that. So that was that was uh my podcast attempt. I was hoping to end season two with that, but not gonna happen. But maybe season three. But I think being real. Yeah, real. We're real. Trevor Burrus, Jr.

Speaker 5

We are very real. Trevor Burrus, Jr.: We are very real. We're not AI anyway at all. Trevor Burrus, Jr.: And we work really hard to to maintain that connection and to uh understand uh the issues that are going on. And the best way to do that is keep your um eyes on the you know to the to the radio if you drive in your car or or uh social media. And one of the things that I found that's really helped us in our podcasting is listening to other podcasts.

Speaker 3

Aaron Ross Powell On education and teaching. Yeah. Trevor Burrus, Jr. But also the issues of education, too. Like that's where AI has come up, other things that maybe aren't specifically for the classroom, but they're affecting the classroom, right? Incivility in the classroom. So a lot of those things. So yes, I have been listening to all kinds of educational podcasts over the last two years.

Speaker 5

Aaron Powell And the thing is I know that when you do a search, uh the number one podcast that pops up will be after the book. It'll be us.

Speaker 3

But there are others out there too. Aaron Powell There are. And I you know I think we should share stuff.

Speaker 5

And we should share them because uh they're they're very good and they they give us something to strive for, especially the ones that uh have that have been around for a while and have a great following. And uh they they make me laugh. Yeah. And they uh cause me to think about how we can engage our audiences differently.

Speaker 3

So uh what can we share one? One one that we've mentioned before, and we he ha we had Tim Cavey on our podcast, and we appeared on his podcast. So Teachers on Fire. Yes. Right? He he's he's very diligent about having a guest every Saturday live, right? He gets up early, I think it's like 5 36, he gets ready for it and does it maybe an eight o'clock start, but he's just pretty impressed with the lists of guests.

Speaker 5

I was impressed in it as one person who does the the podcast with Teachers on Fire, Tim K. He's a busy person. But uh it was great to work with him, too. Trevor Burrus, Jr. What else? What do you think?

Speaker 3

Oh, okay. Yeah. I think so. I think he I hi I watched his TikTok videos, and I think that's where you mentioned that. So that's why I've heard that one. So you that's a good one, is it?

Speaker 5

It's a good one. Uh it makes me laugh. Uh they they talk about a number of issues um that that pop up in in in the school communities. Uh very thoughtful, very uh interesting, captivates my interest, which is hard because I'm very easily distracted.

Speaker 3

Trevor Burrus, Jr. Have you listened to Teacher Talk Radio? Trevor Burrus, I don't think I have. Yeah. I see the clips on uh on TikTok, but I think you can listen to the entire podcast. It's four or so teachers that just chat about the issues and make a few jokes, but also get serious about some things that our teachers are struggling with or ideas they have or concerns they have. So it's it's another one to check out for sure. Aaron Ross Powell Okay. Yeah.

Speaker 5

Uh I have my teacher face. Okay. And uh This is my teacher face. This is my teacher face. Uh and uh this person is a retired teacher.

Speaker 4

Yeah.

Speaker 5

And does her podcast on her own, has a tremendous following, and uh she has taught uh mostly, I believe, in the in the high school system, so she has some great insights about uh high schools and about technology and about students. And uh I really enjoy the things that she talks about uh because it's especially because it's high school, it it brings up some things that are similar to elementary school, but also very different. Trevor Burrus, Jr.

Speaker 3

And and speaking of a huge following, Nicholas Farroni, he he he he's he hasn't had podcasts, but he does a lot of TikTok videos, just these short little things about a teacher's life and concerns and comparing it to other jobs, and he's very eloquent, good looking guy. Aaron Ross Powell, Jr. Very fit. Yeah. I think he was wasn't he involved in the fitness world before.

Speaker 5

I think he was uh voted the fittest person uh in the United States by men's health.

Speaker 3

Aaron Ross Powell Wow. He he's from New Jersey, I believe, is where he teaches. But but uh what he says it makes a lot of sense. And I think people are gravitating towards his videos because he just he says it in a very clear manner. Aaron Ross Powell What else?

Speaker 5

Aaron Ross Powell I have uh two peas in a pod podcast.

Speaker 3

They were the first one other than ours I discovered. Yeah.

Speaker 5

Yes. And uh they're from Scotland, I believe. Aaron Powell Yes.

Speaker 3

Yeah. They're huge.

Speaker 5

They have a huge following. Yeah. Right. Sell tickets to auditoriums and taught talk about teacher stuff. And they're uh it's like sold-out events.

Speaker 4

Yeah.

Speaker 5

And they really have a funny side. Yeah. And they really love those those teacher stories. Some of those stories go there.

Speaker 3

Yeah.

Speaker 5

It's pretty like wow, you're going where you're new. Kind of unfiltered in some ways, but it makes me laugh.

Speaker 3

Trevor Burrus, Jr.: Yeah, no. I I I do laugh at those. And I I I'm amazed when I see the shows they put on, the live shows, the audience attend attending for those for sure.

Speaker 5

Trevor Burrus, Jr.: Yes, and the comments that they get.

Speaker 3

Yeah.

Speaker 5

Thousands and thousands of comments.

Speaker 3

Trevor Burrus, Jr.: And we we we post regularly on their on their Facebook group, our podcast. So they've we're part of the group now, and we're I always post our episodes out on their pulled in a few Scottish listeners and UK listeners through their website. So thank you, Mr. Pease. And when I was I was speaking about Nicholas Froni being a TikTok kind of sensation, someone else's principal lamb. Have you seen it? Oh, I've got the moving cart, right? He's a principal with a cart. He doesn't sit in an office or anything.

Speaker 5

Trevor Burrus And I love his insight about school organizations as about the role of administration in supporting teachers. I would love to know what uh administrators think of his way of approaching things because it seems very different than many of the administrators that I've had experiences with. Trevor Burrus, Jr.

Speaker 3

And he has strong words for how others administrators may perform their duties, right? So it's interesting, right? And I think he I would imagine he's well loved by his staff, you know, in terms of the way he expresses support for his teachers.

Speaker 5

Aaron Ross Powell I have board teachers. Don't want that. Their podcasts, they in they have a lot of introduced interview a lot of teachers, a lot of uh individuals uh that are connected to education or different areas of education. Um funny and uh insightful.

Speaker 3

Yeah. And because uh we had Teach Like a Pirate Guy, Dave Burgess, on our podcast, I started to listen to he has a podcast. Oh yeah. And he has some really neat guests from all around the U.S. and other parts of the world. He just decided it's it's a really good one to check out. And it's a Dave Burgess show, so it's easy to remember, right? This could have been the Martin Stubel show. But I decided to touch another nerve. Yes. Let me see. Ditching Roy for the Martin Stubel show. No, never. Stunt brothers all the way, my friend.

Speaker 5

Uh and then I have uh Mr. Firth. Colin Firth? Not Colin Firth. Okay, Mr. Firth does have a comedic edge. Uh um a number of his uh videos, uh there are two people in the videos and uh they're both him. Oh and he kind of talked about it. So he talked back and forth, so this is interesting. Uh I think the last one I saw was um a sort of uh a comedic look at um uh having classes that were built and trying to f um find the teacher that was worthy of the class.

Speaker 3

Right.

Speaker 5

Um that was kind of with a funny edge. Okay.

Speaker 3

I'll check I've not I've not checked that one out. But one I've recently discovered, and it's called the International Teachers Podcast.

Speaker 5

Oh okay.

Speaker 3

And um it's it's teachers who teach all around the world and they're love of doing that, but it's also a unique way to to teach, and you know that yourself. Yes, I do. And in fact, we're gonna have them on on an episode after this one. So we'll we'll talk more about that journey and your journey too, because you've taught internationally, so we'll talk about them. But but as I found that one, it was just it was probably around the same day that I discovered Teachers Next Door. Teachers Next Door, which in fact comes out of next door in the province of Alberta. Aaron Ross Powell Oh, yeah. So next door next door. It really is. Right. And it's these two teachers, Nicole and Michelle, who are also teachers who used to live next door to each other and became very good friends. And they've just started their podcast journey. I think they just celebrated episode 10. And so I think they just recently episode eleven came out. So they're sticking with it and they're doing a great job. And they they they reminded me of us, right? Okay. Because it was kind of like the beginning of our podcast, you know, over a year ago, two years ago now, and just the friendship they have and their connection and way they the the way they talk to each other and chat and kind of share their share their love of teaching and also their concerns about some of the struggles of teaching. So why don't we let's go next door.

Speaker 5

All right. Next door to the province. The province next door, right? To see the teachers that are next door. Now, when they're next door, they're next door to each other. So it's next door next door.

Speaker 3

Okay. Okay. So this episode is next door, next door. Next door, next door. Okay. Door number one, we have let's go see Michelle and Nicole. Aaron Ross Powell The teachers next door. Aaron Ross Powell and they don't live with next door to each other anymore. So they're two separate locations.

Speaker 5

Trevor Burrus Oh, they have to change the podcast. I know.

Speaker 3

I know. First thing we should tell them. Love your podcast, got to change your name. Change the name. Yeah.

Speaker 5

The teachers who are next door but aren't anymore.

Speaker 3

Yeah, that's right.

Speaker 5

It's kind of long.

Speaker 3

That's long. Okay. So let's go. Let's go to Alberta.

Guests Michelle and Nicole From The Teachers Next Door Podcast

Speaker 3

Today on After the Bell, we are excited to have two fellow podcasters on and two amazing teachers from the province of Alberta, Michelle and Nicole. Welcome to After the Bell, Michelle and Nicole. So excited to be here.

Speaker 2

Thanks for having us. Thank you. Us too. Welcome. Thank you very much.

Speaker 5

As you tell us on your website, uh Michelle is a former administrator, turned classroom warrior, and a veteran elementary school teacher who loves being with children. Michelle is proud to say that she has published her first children's book and has started their podcast, Teachers Next Door, which just released their tenth episode. Congratulations.

Speaker 3

Yeah. And I, Nicole, you've written two books too, I believe, right? I have written two books, yes. Fantastic. So maybe we'll get into those later. That'd be awesome. So Nicole is also a veteran teacher, former administrator, author, and sports mom who somehow manages to keep it all together. Nicole brings the unorganized chaos of real life to the table. She believes every teacher deserves a friend who gets it, and that's exactly what she aims to be on the teacher's next door podcast. And Roy is, he's my Michelle.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Speaker 5

I think.

Speaker 2

Everybody needs a teacher next door.

Speaker 5

Yeah. Yeah. If you ever wanted to hear the kinds of conversations teachers have in parking lot, in the parking lot after school, in the hallway, before the bell, or while hiding beside the photocopier, hoping nobody asks them to cover another class, these two have mastered that art.

Speaker 3

So today we're going to talk teaching, podcasting, the joys and chaos of education, and probably a few things that should stay out of the official staff meeting minutes. So, Michelle Nicole, welcome to After the Bell.

Speaker 2

Thank you so much. Thank you for having us. We are excited. And as Michelle had mentioned prior, a little bit nervous, but we're excited.

Speaker 5

Okay, well, I'm gonna calm that nervousness with uh ABC123. I'm gonna ask you to make a choice between we'll have two choices. There's no wrong answer, which will make you more nervous because whenever anyone says there's no wrong answer, you always feel there is one. But we're going to go with this. Okay, so A, and I'm gonna direct this to Michelle first and then to Nicole. Okay, who is more likely to break the door and who is more likely to knock on it?

Speaker

Michelle? What do you think? I think Nicole might be the one that would break the door, and I might knock on it. Okay.

Speaker 5

What do you say, Nicole? That is 100% accurate. Okay, great. Okay. B, what is a classroom phrase you never want to hear again?

Speaker 1

The one that I'm using most often these days, which Nicole says is a complete sentence. I'll wait. I'm sure my kids don't want to hear that today for quite a while.

Speaker 2

Mine is, did you wash your hands? Because that means that something gross was on them.

Speaker 3

Just my wife's a kindergarten teacher, and she just came home today and said exactly the same thing. Someone had two fingers up their nose for half the day and said, Did you wash your hands over and over again? So totally get it. Okay. Okay, C.

Speaker 5

C. Uh, what's one word that describes this school year for each of you?

Speaker 1

The word that comes to my mind is exciting. I have a beautiful class of curious learners, and there is no shortage of curiosity, wonder, excitement. They seem to take everything way farther than I've ever planned, and it's really, really exciting to see their learning and growth.

Speaker 2

Mine is actually disjointed. We in Alberta had a teacher strike.

Speaker 6

Yes.

Speaker 2

So we had a very disjointed school year. And actually, Michelle and I are in different systems. So I am in the public system through the ATA, and she is not in the public system in a bit of a different context. So she didn't, she obviously was one with us, walked alongside us from her district and supported teachers wholeheartedly. But I walked through the strike as a teacher being off of work and out of classroom. So I would say disjointed is my word.

Speaker 3

Yeah, and that's hard. Roy and I were talking about 2014. We were out on strike in June, and then it continued in September. So we had a hangover all summer, and we had another month off on strike. So I understand disjointed feeling. It's horrible. Yeah. Michelle, what grade you teach?

Speaker 1

I teach grade two, and so I am teaching at a public charter school. And so we are publicly funded, but we are under our own separate board. So we are not members of the ATA. And so when the strike happened, we weren't striking because we aren't unionized. However, also asking for the same thing as the unionized teachers were. It was a terrible time. It was horrible to watch. And I felt quite helpless during that time because I felt like we supported the teachers, of course, who were striking, but didn't didn't have that same voice in the same way. I do have one, one of my own personal children who go to the same or went to go to the same school where Nicole used to work. And so as a parent, that was it wasn't tricky for him to be out of school necessarily because he he's in a good place, but it was it was really tricky to watch what his teachers were going through. Yeah.

Speaker 3

And yeah, I mean your biggest issue was class size and support for that. And that was that was our big issue in 2014. At least we achieved it. We got our language back. We actually have it in our collective agreement. We have class sized language. So maybe we'll get into that later. Nicole, what do you teach?

Speaker 2

I am part of the classroom complexity team. Okay. And so I am a literacy interventionist.

Speaker 3

Okay, that's right. Wow. How exciting. You enjoy that. Yeah. I love it. Okay, so one, two, three. Can each of you name three songs that belong on the ultimate teachers playlist? If you could think of three songs, that would just go on a playlist for teachers. Michelle?

Speaker 1

Goodness. Okay. I'm the worst at naming titles or artists. And I don't want to sing on your podcast. So let me think. Okay, the one that comes to mind obviously first is Hold On for One More Day by Wilson Phillips. That's running through our heads, I think, quite a bit this day. These days. I'll have to think.

Speaker 2

One of the ones that I love is like, guess who's back? Back again. We always like in the morning. Sometimes teachers of my school just come in and sing, and we're like, yeah, we're back again, and just doing the same thing. So we kind of love that when we come one in.

Speaker 1

Sang this one for Nicole, and I cannot remember who sings it, but it's something like my head is like football. I think I'm gonna die. Oh, singing me up.

Speaker 5

Wasn't that a rover?

Speaker 3

I could have been the fourth. That's a great song. Yeah. Anything else? Nicole, can you think of anything else?

Speaker 2

I just I think sometimes, like again, I have a staff that loves to sing. So for some reason, Eye of the Tiger comes on quite a bit, and it just kind of just pump pumps us all up.

Speaker 3

Yeah. Uh Nicole, can you think of uh the best? Way to survive the month of June.

Speaker 2

Just lean on your people.

Speaker 3

Yeah.

Speaker 2

You know, touch base with as many callings as you possibly can that bring you joy, even if it's for 30 seconds in the morning or at lunch or whatnot. So I think just connection. Connection with your people. Michelle?

Speaker 1

I think I would go with humor. I think anytime you can laugh as a teacher, it's a good time. I was playing this short science video today for the students, and a commercial came on, and it was this little baby talking, and the kids just burst into laughter. And it was so funny to me, the commercial and their laughter that we tr we searched up the commercial and watched it again and just let it, you know, let it go. We laughed as hard as we could, and then we moved on to the next thing, but just building in those moments and using that humor.

Speaker 3

I think that's so important. And we all know how hard June is, but the public does not, right? They often think it's winding down, must be nice. You're just, you know, on field every day. So I like the idea of laughter. Ken now, Michelle, can you think of a teacher in your own childhood, go back, that who had a really significant impact on your life who stands out?

Speaker 1

I have many. I grew up in a little town in Manitoba and I went to the same school, K to 12. Some of the teachers there taught my mom and dad, and then taught us kids. The one teacher that's standing out to me right now is my grade four teacher. Her name is Miss Hannah. She put her heart and soul into the job. Everybody knows that. But one of the things I remember the most is she would travel every summer overseas and explore new countries. And then she would bring things back from her travels and create these thematic units that connected language, music, little science, all of the things. And it just caused me to be so curious about the world. I lived in a little town of less than 2,000 people, and she brought that world to us and definitely was an inspiration for me in becoming a teacher.

Speaker 3

I would imagine she was just so excited about it too, because she was connecting the world that she had just seen you, right? Do you have a favorite teacher who stands out?

Speaker 2

I do. Um, his name is Steve Powery. He was my grade seven teacher. And also, luckily enough, in university, he was a professor of ours in the education program. So I got to have him twice. I've also dedicated my second book to him, and he's in the book. He I've I've kept connection with him ever since grade seven. So he is definitely 100% the reason why I'm a teacher today. There you go.

Speaker 3

And I always talk about my grade five teacher. We're going out for lunch next week. I had her in 1976, right? And it was just this. I love that. And I just it's just wonderful to reconnect with her. Yeah. That's wonderful. Thank you. Thank you.

Speaker 5

Okay. So we're going to start with some questions now. And now that we're on relaxed.

Speaker 2

Sounds great. Okay. You've put us at ease. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 5

I hope to be here.

Speaker 2

I hope.

Speaker 5

All right. So, where did the name Teachers Next Door come from? Do you want to take it?

Speaker 2

That was Teachers Next Door. Where did the name come from? So we really milled over the name forever. We knew we were going to start a podcast, but it took us up a good month to figure out the name of it. And so one day we were just talking, and so we were neighbors. We were like physical neighbors. Our houses were right beside each other when we first met. And so we all just kind of connected like how could we talk about neighborhoods and being connected through being in the neighbor, being next door? And all of a sudden we're like, teacher next door. Everyone needs a teacher next door. So whether that's in your building, across the hallway, in another building, but just technically having that teacher friend beside you. And we were literal neighbors. So we thought it would kind of worked hand in hand together.

Speaker 3

And and I, you know, it's a name I don't think there's no other podcast that uses that name where we came up with our name, we're all excited about it. And then Vancouver School Board actually has an after the bell podcast with the same name. But so far no lawsuits have happened.

Speaker 5

WWF has it after the bell too. Yeah. So oftentimes when someone says, Oh, I looked up after the bell and wrestling came up. And I said, Well, we we don't do that anymore.

Speaker 3

And I don't know if you realize our our we're known as the stunt brothers, and it's just my last name, Stubel, with Hunt.

Speaker 2

That's how it came up. Okay.

Speaker 3

And years ago, because I've known we've known each other since 1995. And so my kids, they have they have no cousins in their life. There's no cousins. So we went, I went camping with Roy and his family, and I decided I'm gonna make my kids have cousins. So we created the stunt family reunion, and his kids became cousins to my kids, and that was just the the beginning of the name stunt, which goes back a long time.

Speaker 1

Remember you explaining that on a podcast. I think you were maybe hosting somebody from Ontario, maybe a teacher.

Speaker 3

Yeah.

Speaker 1

And he had asked you, or maybe you were on their podcast, actually.

Speaker 3

I think it was teachers, the Teachers on Fire podcast, yeah.

Speaker 1

Yes, yes. And I I remember thinking, oh, I always wanted to know what the answer to that was, but I thought you guys did tricks or something as well.

Speaker 5

Like you probably do. There's another podcast like that, and they are the stunt brothers, and they do stunts. They are stunt actors.

Speaker 3

So yes, we do some TikTok videos, and we did we kind of played on the name at the beginning of the videos where we were like we'd have our bikes and we'd be looking at this big cliff and then look at each other and shake our heads. Not we'd say we'd rather be podcasting, so we have tried that.

Speaker 2

Well, teaching is kind of like doing stunts, actually. If you think of it.

Speaker 3

You are a stunt person for sure. Yeah. And I listened to one episode today, and you were talking about you do your podcast at five in the morning.

Speaker 6

We do.

Speaker 2

Yeah, we wake up usually Thursday mornings. Sometimes we've done a couple at nighttime, but mostly Thursday mornings, or sometimes on a Saturday morning, actually, also early. And we just like to record an episode before our kids get up and before our dogs need to be walked. And it actually works for both Michelle and I. Michelle and I used to actually, when we were neighbors, we don't actually not neighbors anymore, sadly. We both moved to different places, but we used to walk our dogs together literally at that time in the morning. So we are used to being up early, we're early birds, and so that's just kind of works for us and our schedules.

Speaker 3

You're only free time, right?

Speaker 1

Yeah, my motto is get it in before the world needs us because they need us. Yes.

Speaker 3

And so what made you decide they needed you two to do a podcast? Where did that idea start and begin? What what made you jump into the podcasting world?

Speaker 1

Well, I think through our morning 5 a.m. walk and talks, we had this idea quite a while ago. And of course, when you're on an adventure like this, it takes you a while to get started. We just felt like we had an opportunity to connect teachers during a time where perhaps there is some disconnection, right? There's lots going on in the teaching world with it continuing to become more complex. We thought that we could give the teachers an opportunity to have another way to connect a community to be in a soft place to land, you know, to share some truths and honesty about teaching, but also share some light and love and humor. And we have lots of years of experience, but by no means are we experts. And I think that's important for people to know that, you know, we're always learning and teaching is, I believe, a state of becoming, right? Like you're always learning and always growing. And so we felt like we had, you know, an opportunity for for, you know, us to share, right? Our journeys and and what we're experiencing, but also give other people some some light and opportunity to share on our podcasts through being guests and writing in and sharing their stories as well. Fantastic.

Speaker 2

But really, Michelle kind of is the one that kept it going because we talked about it for years and then we kind of let it go. And then everything that's happening, right? Michelle has four children. I have two children and we're very involved in activities and whatnot. And Michelle just called me one day and basically didn't really give me a choice to say no, even though she, of course, did, but she's like, I'm gonna do it. Like, are we gonna do it? And then I was like, called her back, probably honestly, was it 10 seconds later? I was like, okay, I'm in. And then it just all went from there. And then we launched our first episode kind of accidentally. Like we were like, we were just going to like take some time and really plan it out because her and I are both planners. And then we were like, nope, we're just gonna release it into the world. And we like Michelle would hadn't even told her mom yet. Like, and it went and it went honestly, this feedback from our colleagues was like all we needed. Everyone was so excited, so on board, being like, Are you gonna do this every week? And then we're like, oh, we have a weekly podcast. Yeah, no go on that.

Speaker 1

It was Nicole. So even though it launched accidentally, it was Nicole that was like, We're ripping off this band-aid. Like we have this recording, it's edited, right? We're learning all of this from the bottom up. Like we we had a lot of learning to do to prepare that first podcast. But she was like, We're ripping off the band-aid. Like I'm putting uh something out on social media tonight.

Speaker

And I did say, I haven't even told my mom. Like I have to call my mom. So I called my mom, my brother, my sister. I was like, okay, that's all I have time to do. Put it out there, and here we are.

Speaker 5

Well, it's interesting when you say that. We told our families that we were doing a podcast, but I didn't tell my family that we're doing TikTok videos. So my daughter was at home scrolling on the couch, and out of nowhere I heard, What? Dad's on TikTok? And actually, that was that was worth every mo worth the wait. We haven't tried TikTok yet. Maybe that's our next avenue. So, congratulations on the 10th episode when I I'm trying to remember who it was with talking to their son and said, you know, podcasts don't uh really uh go past 10 episodes, and at which point I guess it was Michelle, and then uh someone's son said, Does that mean you're done?

Speaker 1

It was my husband. He was like, Does that mean we're all done?

Speaker

Because I'm like, sorry, you can't have the podcast.

Speaker 5

Because I I I don't even understand how anyone could do a podcast solely on their own. Martin uh and I work together. Um Martin does a lot of the heavy lifting when I'm uh when I'm teaching. Uh he he's really good. He has great writing skills that surpass mine. I I laugh a lot, so I think that's my my my thing. But when when we're together, that dynamic, how how is that different than when you're just hanging out as hanging out as friends? How does that the the podcast duo work together? What is what's the what's the secret sauce kind of thing?

Speaker 2

Michelle and I have always we were instant friends. Do you know when you meet someone and you walk away and you're like, that's one of my people? Like you just knew. And that's how I feel like when we're together. So even when we get together to mastermind and go through our show notes or whatnot, we laugh so hard to the point where I don't know if we're gonna get anything done. But then all of a sudden, three hours later, we've, you know, we've queued three shows, we have so many things going on, and we just feed off of I think that friendship first, and then that kind of podcasting business side of things second. I have, I've always known how smart Michelle is, but like she is brilliant. Like, so I do I started with the editing piece of it where I learned the editing and she learns the whole back system of it, like how to get it launched and onto the different channels. Like, I still don't really know how to do that, to be honest. So we each have our strengths, but I would say our friendship first is why our dynamic duo, I guess if you will say, works so well together.

Speaker 3

Yeah, and that's like Roy and I, right? I mean, it was instant friends and years ago, and he just had a chemistry right away. And we've actually done acting together. We we were part of this local theater group, and they often do these pantos where if they take stories and there's a baddie and goody. And Roy and I were the evil stepsisters in costume, right? Or Cinderella. And it just we've we've I guess we've learned that, the give and take kind of connection and the chemistry. And it's just we have so much fun doing the podcast. Like it's just a hoot. Honestly, there could be nobody listening, and we should we could still we'd still do it.

Speaker 1

It makes me think, you know, to our early morning walk and talks when we were able and blessed to be neighbors, we would have our early morning walk and talks, and then at the end of the day, if we pulled into our respective driveways at a similar time, we would stand out in the cul-de-sac and debrief our days. And I'm sure our husbands wondered when we were ever going to come inside. But I just wanted to say that Nicole is the brains behind this production. Like that whole editing piece, she just took on fearlessly. And she's saying, I don't know how you do the distribution and all the back part. And I'm thinking, like, she had to give me a whole tutorial one morning on the editing because she had figured it out all on her own and is just brilliant on the social media, which I'm so grateful for.

Speaker 3

You're doing that, Nicole, while teaching. Like I retired and we started the podcast right away. So I've taken this on as my new job. So I have the time to just focus and treat it that way, which has been great because I'm not one to sit around and do nothing. So it's given me a purpose and a focus, and it's still connected to you know my my history and what I had done as a teacher, but it just it just gave me this avenue that I just love doing and learning new skills. And like you say, that learning curve is so steep. But you just do it, go ahead and you learn it.

Speaker 1

It's so steep, and we'll learn every day. I was just gonna say you'll love this because if my own children or kids at school, I don't say this to kids at school, but to my own my own kids, when they say, Oh, I don't know how to do this or I can't figure this out. I'm like, look, if your mother can figure out how to produce a podcast, you need to try a little harder and a little longer, right? Like things are figure outable. Yeah, it just takes time, right?

Speaker 3

And when you had that very first episode, how did you feel? Like at the when you did your first one? What what you go well, yes. Did you get the week? Yeah.

Speaker 2

I wanted to throw up. You know what it is? And I and I think you guys know what this means. You're putting yourself out there. It's like you're opening your home to someone. Like you haven't really prepared in a way, like maybe you don't have the appetizers ready, you haven't cleaned all the bathrooms, and all of a sudden you just like welcome in your company that comes an hour early. That's how I felt like the day we put our podcast out. It was like, everyone's going to judge this, everyone's gonna have an opinion, everyone's gonna say something. And of course they are, and we can't control that. But the cool thing was the opinions that came into us and the messages, like our phones blew up because we did not tell our colleagues, and everyone was just like, Oh my goodness, you guys have a podcast. We listen to it, it's amazing. When's your next episode? And they were so supportive, and that really gave us that motivation to be like, okay, maybe we have something here.

Speaker 3

And a good podcast is what you guys do. It's like eavesdropping on a conversation. You're just kind of joining the conversation midstream, and then go, oh, wow. And I think Roy and I, when we started, we were actually, I think, too scripted. We kind of planned it out too much where we've kind of evolved into what I think I see you two doing, and just just do it, just talk, just get it out there. And it's not always going to be perfect, and you'll stumble and you're not sure where you're going. But that's what people want to hear, I think. It's more comforting than something that's so here we go, next part, right? They're tired of that world that's too organized. And just listen. Here are two teachers who are going through the same thing I'm going through.

Speaker 1

And you guys are very easy to listen to. My son and I were listening to some of the episodes while driving, and he just loved it too. He just thought you were really easy to listen to and you know, funny. And, you know, I'm of course soaking up all of the teacher bit, right? But he's soaking up how you guys made him feel while he was listening to you, and you're very easy to listen to.

Speaker 5

Okay. Uh one of the questions now, sort of getting into more uh like teaching. So, what do you think one of the biggest misconceptions are for non-teachers for people who don't teach? And uh well, we're teaching in like 2026. So the the people out there, what are the biggest misconceptions they have about teaching?

Speaker 2

I think the public perception sometimes might think that teaching is between our hours of 8 and 3 p.m., which we know is never the case. There's no way you could get your job done within contractual hours, is a huge misconception, I think. And also the idea of back, you know, in the day, perhaps when there was more stand and deliver. I don't know when the last time I stand and delivered a lesson was. Today, even alone, I have nine different blocks in my day, and I have nine different groups of students as a literacy interventionist, all ranging from, you know, grade one to grade six. And I had anything today from reading um intervention with small group to ended up being pulled for coverage for a classroom. I ended up being in a kindergarten classroom, which I'm usually never in. And I had, I don't know what on the back. I had to like change my shirt at the end of the day, because something really sticky was on there after some art that we had done. Like it's just like, right? Your days never look the same as well. So a stand and deliver where you open up to page 38 and you teach that lesson, that's not a thing in schools anymore. So I think that there's just a lot of different misconceptions.

Speaker 1

I would just add to that that I think people would think that teaching is the visible part, right? That, you know, we arrive when the kids arrive and walk out the door when they do. But there's so much of that invisible curriculum that we do all day, every day, that, you know, is not planned out. I know, you know, sometimes you'll hear people say, Oh, you're still teaching grade two, or oh, you're still teaching kindergarten. But every year is a new group of students with different learning needs, different families. It's a whole different complexity. It's not like you're just repeating verbatim what you did before. It's so much more than that.

Speaker 3

And as you say, like that workload is so much greater than anybody in the public knows. If there was one thing tomorrow you could take off a teacher's plate, wouldn't that administrative overhead?

Speaker 2

So when I say administrative overhead, I think of all the extra things that teachers do that nobody sees. Things from field trips to collecting money for events, sending out newsletters, just all all the administrative overhead of things. I don't, I know it's part of the gig, but it does weigh you down. And it seems like it's more important.

Speaker 1

I think for me, it would be to take away that need to always do more with less. So doing more each year with less time, money, resources. And although our class sizes in our system are are quite good, I would say taking away those larger class sizes, right? They're most teachers leave at the end of the day feeling already that they haven't done enough. And with those large class sizes, it's it's it's impossible.

Speaker 3

Those needs are so much greater now, too, right? Yeah.

Speaker 2

Yeah, so much greater. And Michelle and I, we were talking about this on an episode recently because our districts are different again, right? And so our class sizes are not small, and we have quite large class sizes, some, you know, 30 grade ones in a classroom. And so I was saying that class size is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Uh, and I know that that's a whole that we kind of went on a tangent there, but it definitely we come back to that time and time again is I think that people also think that because they know maybe their context of their learner, and let's say if their learners in, you know, a class of 21 little grade ones or whatnot, but then they don't know that down the street there's a class of 30 grade ones, right? So it's not the context in every building is is different. And I think that maybe the outside public doesn't realize that.

Speaker 5

No, no, they don't. No. Today I was in a classroom, one of the first grade straight grade six classes that I that I've been in in a while. Oftentimes they're split classes. The the numbers are reduced in split classes, but as a as a straight class, there were 29, 29 grade sixes in the classroom. And uh it was uh I had an amazing time with them today. Did I have to redirect and stop and do things? Yes, I did, but it was nice because at the end of the day I left a letter for the teacher just saying that this this group of grade sixes are gonna be amazing leaders next year in grade seven. So it's it's the things like that would that I see even with you know what seems to be a large number, 29. There there are some really positive things that can come out of it.

Speaker 3

And uh we're at least we're capped at 29. And no primary class would have more than 22, and no kindergarten will have more than 20. And even in today's class, I would say primary it should be 15, actually. You know, it's not like it's not like 22 is that great anymore, but when I hear classes of 30, wow. Yeah, challenging.

Speaker 2

I'm actually originally from British Columbia, so all of my my friends are still teaching there, and that's where I did my my B ed and whatnot. So I I know kind of when we were going through all of this this year with the strike, I was asking a lot of questions and asking how that all works. So I I kind of understand a bit more about it now because I've always just taught in Alberta, even though I was trained in BC. So yeah, it's definitely a different, a different yeah, for sure.

Speaker 5

So what's one thing that that no that teachers are struggling with that no one's talking about?

Speaker 1

I think I kind of alluded to it in the la in the last question a little bit, but I think it's that you know, teachers care so much and care so deeply. And I think, you know, they're working so hard and trying to meet the needs of all the children, but often going home at the end of the day like they didn't quite get enough done, quite reach a learner who they were trying to reach. I think that weighs on teachers heavily.

Speaker 2

I would agree with what Michelle's saying. It's I believe it's what we put on ourselves because we do care so deeply and we want all children to succeed. I think that not knowing when to say that's enough, right? So, like when to like just kind of put, you know, the laptop down and pour into your own life. And I know that I have been the worst. And so Michelle and I actually have a parallel life on this. We're but we've both been really bad with boundaries as teachers and as administrators, especially. Um, but we are have gotten better at it this last few years. And I know I'm better for it. So I do try to leave most of my work at school if possible, or I have one day a week where I stay late and on purpose. And I try to get all that stuff done that one day a week. And then that way I know that when I actually leave work, I'm actually home with my family. So I always tell a new teacher, for example, that you can love your job and still live your life. Yes.

Speaker 3

Yeah.

Speaker 2

That is

Speaker 3

Hard to understand, but it's true. You could be there to midnight every night and you're you're not gonna be done.

Speaker 2

You're not no Michelle has a great line for that. It's like, what did your mentor say, Michelle, about is this good enough? Like sometimes things just have to be good enough.

Speaker 1

Yeah, sometimes good is good enough, right? When we were staying late and putting in those long extra hours, and then you realize you've missed dinner with your family or whatever sporting event or tucking your kids in at into bed at night, right? Those days happen, especially in your beginning days, or depending on the complexity of your classroom. But you do have to have those batch days too, or you know, take things home at night, or you know, you carry with you it in your head, right? Which whichever child or all the children you're worrying about, right? It never leaves you.

unknown

No.

Speaker 3

Now you both were administrators at one time. Can you share what your administrators' positions were?

Speaker 2

Yes. So I was in an elementary context. That's my background. So I was an administrator. We call them assistant principals in the district that I'm in. And so similar to a vice principal. And I was at one school for four years, and I was at the other school for three years. So in total, I had a seven years of being in administration. And I was asked many times to go into the principal pool and work up that path. And I loved being an administrator. Like, don't get me wrong. Like I loved I went into administration to support teachers, which ultimately supports students. And I loved my role with those adults and families and students. However, I missed desperately being with kids all day long. And so I took a leave of absence for a few um, you know, for that year. And then I went back to the classroom and then I had to relinquish my position because I it was exactly what I wanted. And I also felt like I was not giving as much attention as I needed to with my own children at home. And so going back in the classroom, as much as we all know teaching is just as hard as being an administrator, uh, I just know I could put a bit more boundaries on my time and I could be with the kids more. So I miss parts of being an administrator. I loved it, but I also love being back in the classroom with kids.

Speaker 1

I think she stole my notes. Mine, my story is very similar. So I taught kindergarten and grade one for a few years. And then I was asked to be a coach for new teachers who were joining the staff the year that I was teaching grade one. And then one of our associate principals, we call them, went on maternity leave and I was asked to apply for that. I had already started taking my master's and I thought, sure, like I'll put my name in that for that year and loved it and continued on. So I had only taught for a couple of years before I entered administration. And then I was in administration for 15 years, but had my four babies in that time. And I really wanted to go back to the classroom for all the same reasons that Nicole said. Really, I was a baby when I went into an administration. I hadn't had my own classroom for very long. And I longed for that reconnection with kids. They were really my fuel and teaching, you know, reading, writing, math, all the things. And um, so I've been back in the classroom for seven years. And although our podcast listeners don't know this, I am returning to administration again this fall into the same position. And I have loved my time in the classroom. It's been such an incredible gift. And I'm also looking forward to going back into administration where I can, you know, support teachers in a different way and in turn support all those kids. Nice.

Speaker 2

I was wondering if you're gonna spill the beans on this episode.

Speaker

I spilled the beans.

Speaker 5

Let's go in a direction where what is the strangest parent request you have ever received?

Speaker 2

I've had many. We've all had many. We all know that. But I remember this one time that this family wanted me to host their child's birthday party and not just like cupcakes, like full-on hosts the birthday party where they could bring in like pinata and they could open presents. The whole class would be invitable. Ultimately, yes, because it's in my classroom. They wanted their grandparents to come, this one neighbor. I was like, no, no, no, whoa, let's hold the breaks here. I'm like, I will gladly like distribute cupcakes, but that is where I'm stopping. But they would not let it go. Like they ended up going above me to the principal to ask why I couldn't have this birthday party in the classroom during class time. Anyways, no, it was a hard no, but they were relentless on asking.

Speaker 1

Amazing.

Speaker 2

Wow.

Speaker 1

That's pretty funny, Nicole. I was thinking about this. I can't really call, really recall a strange request, but I can tell you of a strange encounter I had in my very first year of teaching. We run something called family orientation, where the families come with their child and they get 10 or 15 minutes with us before the school year starts. And I was a brand new teacher in a brand new building, taking over for a teacher who hadn't who had been teaching there for quite a long time, but she was moving to a new school and I was moving in. So a mom and her daughter came to the door and I introduced myself and I invited them in. And they told the mom said to me, We want you to know that we don't like you. And I said, Okay. And she said, We sat around the dinner table last night and we talked about how we don't like you. And I thought, okay. I said, Would you like to come in and sit at the table and tell me more about that? And they did. They wanted to come in and tell me more about that. And something in my young soul told me, This is so not about me. They are upset that they didn't get the teacher who they wanted, who was in here before. And so they came in and I know inside, like I was dying inside because I wanted to cry, right? Like I thought, oh my gosh, what is happening? But my mind said, invite them in, talk it over, try to win them over and send them on their way. So it was it totally turned out fine. But after that meeting, I went down to my principal and said, You won't believe what just happened. And he couldn't believe I invited them in to talk about it more, but that's that's what I needed to do.

Speaker 3

And what a learning moment for you. Like, wow, incredible.

Speaker 2

Who doesn't like you, Michelle? Like everybody likes you. They probably love you now.

Speaker 1

Well, it turned out to be a fine year, but my head weren't quite as pleasant.

Speaker 3

Sometimes the child's just intent on this one teacher that they've heard about, and that's the teacher they want. I'm sure within no time they realized Michelle was the best teacher they had.

Speaker 1

It will be okay. I had big shoes to fill.

Speaker 3

Now you do both clearly you you love the joy of teaching. Like you it means a lot to you. And I think that's the wonderful thing about this profession. Like it's it's the hardest job in the world, but if you love it, it's the greatest job. Right. It really is. How do you both find that joy in teaching, even on harder days, just to get you through the day? How do you find the joy? Cool?

Speaker 2

I find my joy through those little interactions. So that the little connections with kids, the inside jokes, you know, asking about what they did last night or asking them about, you know, a hockey game or playing their instrument. So I try to always get to know at the beginning of the year, as all teachers, you know, we do get to know our kids, but really those like a couple specific things about each kid. So if I'm having a hard day with them, I will go back and ask them about something. So recently, and I'm new to a school because I've just actually switched uh school boards completely into this new role. And so I was with my last school board for almost 22 years, and now I'm in a new school board. So I've only been there. This is my sixth week, and just getting to know the groups I'm working with. And there was this one student that was having a tricky time, was like, there's no way they were gonna do anything for me. But I knew this child was really into dirt biking. I know nothing about dirt biking, but I found out about what type of dirt bike this child had and brought it up and they worked for me within about 10 minutes. So I just have to find those little nuggets that could keep them going because I get it. Like I, you know, there's hard days for kids too. And so if I can find a connection to make with them, then I find that that brings me joy because I've made that personal connection, is the one reason. The second reason is that I see how my own children come home from school. And when it's because of teachers, I just think, wow, like someone did that for my own kids. So if I can do that for somebody else's kids, then that's what I would want as a parent. So that's really in the back of my head all the time. Wow, Michelle.

Speaker 1

That's great, Nicole. I love that. I can build on that. For me, it's the kids. They're the fuel. They make me laugh out loud all of the time. The things that they come up with, they're so funny and so brutally honest sometimes. You're like, did that really just happen? But also so curious and, you know, so I mean, grade two. They love learning, right? They love coming to school, being with their friends, being with their teacher. And I think I would add to that is our teams. So the teams of teachers really become your family, right? I know, Nicole, that's the same for you as well. Those people that you work with every day are your community and your family, and that can really shape, shape, and support your school year.

Speaker 3

One of your episodes, I think it's called You Can't Make This Up. You're talking about some of those stories and those things that happened and, you know, kids throwing up and all these things that can take place. And Roy and I were talking about it. We've both been on buses before where, you know, one kid throws up and it's contagious, and then I it never bothered me dealing with it. So uh everybody else looks at me. Oh, you go deal with it, right? Mess.

Speaker 5

Yeah. I was uh on a trip to outdoor school uh with my my class, and a student behind me said, Mr. Hunt, I'm not feeling well. So I talked to the bus driver. I turned around to face the student, and about I'm gonna say 15 kilometers away from outdoor school, this student did did a projectile vomit all over me. It's the worst. Yeah, yes. And and so, and so then, you know, I go into I'm a dad, so I go into you know, to dad kind of dad mode. I said, Okay, let's go outside and clean you up and take care of that. And I contacted her, you know, her family because if this happened, uh the this student had a medical history, so I just this is this is what happened. I tell inform her parents, and it's like, well, if everything's fine, but if it get it gets worse, then take her to the hospital. So okay. So then I have to sit in the front seat of the bus because I have everything is like buried underneath in the carriage of the bus. So you know, I had some paper towels, and and for 15 kilometers, I I just sat there and smiled.

Speaker 2

The things people don't realize we do.

Speaker 5

No, no, no, it's true.

Speaker

Oh my goodness.

Speaker 1

When Nicole talked about having something sticky on her back and Martin, your wife, about teaching kindergarten, like you just come home some days and you want to go straight into the shower.

Speaker 3

Yes, yes. What other job has that, right? But what other job has that that you don't even think about the time in the day, right? Because there's so much going on, right? Yeah. And I've had I've I've mentioned on previous podcasts, you know, you get down moments in your life, and going into the classroom was the best place to go, right? Yeah.

Speaker 6

It's ring.

Speaker 3

So I'm grateful for that.

Speaker 5

So what is one thing that students bring to school that you wish they wouldn't?

Speaker 2

Well, right now, I don't know if it's a big thing in BC, but those needos, they're like you can't find them in Alberta. Do you guys know what we're talking about? They're called Nido.

Speaker 1

Okay.

Speaker 2

I was gonna say my kids have them and I should, I should have brought one. But like they're they are just a fidget tool, but they're really a toy. Like they call them fidget tools, but they're they're basically a toy and they're they're cool. I like even playing with it, but like they're mesmerizing for the kids and they cannot keep their hands off it. And they're really like a hot commodity here. I'm not joking because they're sold out everywhere. You can cannot get them at them at any toy store, you can't get them at chapters. People wait in line for hours to get them. And so it's I just don't want them at school right now because everybody is just like, oh, which one did you get? Or I don't have one yet, or can I play with it? So if I see it out, I'm like, guys, sorry, you got Scott to go in your backpack.

Speaker 1

I was thinking of my junior high and high school kids, the hacky sack trend has returned. So I don't know for you guys, like Roy, you're in the classroom these days. I don't know if they're hacky sacking out in BC.

Speaker 5

Well, uh no. But right now, the big thing is those squishy things that have uh like a uh I guess it's like a Newtonian Newtonian fluid, but basically it's cornstarch and water in like a a bag. Uh and so they like a squishy toy. They and so that's a big thing. But right now, what's what's really I'm seeing in in a lot of classrooms is many places where you can get uh in Chinatown and and and in Chinese food restaurants, you can get like a steamed bun. And so it's a round steamed bun, and inside there's meat. Well, they're making them as squishy toys. So on the desks. I've seen them on the desks, they have these little bamboo steamer boxes, right? This bamboo steamer box to be about that big around, and and and so they're sitting there and then they lift the lid off the box and they pull out their steamed bun squishy toy, and they're all different colors, and then they go like and I go, What is this? I mean, I would say the last two years it was Rubik's Cubes were huge. Like everybody had a Rubik's Cube and they were playing Rubik with Rubik's Cubes, but these squishy things, and then after a while they break them open, and this this white stuff ooze is everywhere, and it's it's drop in the in it's in the younger classes, it's it's it's crazy.

Speaker 3

You both have written books. Do you want to have a chance to do some promotion for your books? Tell us about them. What got you into this, and what they're children's books and picture books, I believe. So tell us about these new books. What got you into this?

Speaker 2

Yeah. So I published my first children's book, and it was all about actually um me losing my flair for teaching and how I regained it back. Like it's based on uh like a time of my career where I thought maybe teaching, even though I knew it was for me, what I was burnt out, right? I had just given, given, given. So it's called Um Miss Claire has lost her flair. And it's about how the student helps her see her value and her worth and helps her get it back. It was written and dedicated to teachers. And so my vision was that teachers would read the story to their students and see themselves in the book. So that was my first children's book. And then my second children's book is a series, it's become a series actually now. And so it's about the same character, a teacher named Miss Claire. And it's Miss Claire Teacher Extraordinaire. And the second book is about how she helps a new student find their way in the school environment, just because many of us get new students and we know it can be tricky for those kiddos to make connections. So again, it's about hopefully teachers being able to read that to her students, especially to classes that have perhaps new students to their classes or kids that are having trouble making friendships and walking them through that path. And then in the fall, my third book in this series will come out and it's called Coach Claire. So she becomes a coach now within the school environment.

Speaker 3

And Michelle, you just published a book, I believe.

Speaker 2

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 1

Yes. So my book is not directly connected to education, but it is a story that I was telling my boys at bedtime. As a mom, I would read to the kids every night, but they would often request that I would make up stories. And there was this one particular story that they would request every night. And so it would grow bigger and, you know, be embellished more every night. And the kids would say to me, You need to publish this. And I would say, someday, someday, someday. And uh realizing that someday was never going to happen until I made it happen. I was actually with Nicole. We had taken our young kids at the time to a play place, and she had told me that she was publishing her first book, and I was so happy for her. And also thinking at the same time, look at her doing what I want to do. Like if she can do this, I can get her to support me and help me and show me the ropes. And so then I published my children's book, and it's called The Happiest Place in the World. It's a little about a little boy who's overprotected by his parents, and they don't let him live his life or really play for fear he'll get hurt or something will happen to him. And he runs off to what he perceives to be the happiest place in the world, which is like a Disneyland setting, and then realizes that he's not happy there because he he misses the people who he loves the most and his community. And so off he goes home. And his parents change their ways and realize they need to stop being helicopter parents and let him live his life and grow a little bit.

Speaker 3

Fantastic. And where can people purchase a copy of that?

Speaker 1

Yeah, so it's also you can purchase it through our website. The links are all there at teachersnextdoorpodcast.com. Like Nicole's, you can find it on Amazon, and my book is also on Indigo at Indigo too.

Speaker 3

And we'll happily make a connection on our website, stuntbrothers. We'll put a link there for everyone to discover your podcast and your publications for sure. Probably a couple more questions. We appreciate your time. So we'll wrap it up soon. But Royd, why don't I we'll do a couple more and then end with a guest one, I think. Well, okay. No pressure there.

Speaker 5

I I guess we have lots of we still haven't. I guess really uh how has I guess how has teaching changed from when you started uh compared to now?

Speaker 1

And just to add to that, I I think that teaching has changed with the change of curriculum, it's the change of technology. I was thinking about when I started teaching, my sister and brother gave me a little metal um chalk holder, right? And that was the year that the first whiteboards were installed in our classroom. Never I never had a computer when I first started teaching, of course. Then I got a computer that worked one day a week sort of thing. And then just the increasing demands. I think it's that administrative load that Nicole's talking about. So not just the technology piece, but what we need to use technology for to keep up with those administrative demands. I think student, you know, student needs definitely, you know, and I wrestle with that as, you know, giving that as an answer because I'm trying to figure out why things are more complex with our students. I mean, I think that's a whole other podcast episode, but it's it's it's big, it's a big deal. And then that ties right back in full circle, I think, to what Nicole said about, you know, resources and support.

Speaker 3

Roy, I'm gonna do one more, then you can end with number 20, okay? There's a administrative task for you. So despite these challenges, and that we we just know the plate is so full, but what keeps you hopeful about the future of education, teaching? What keeps you in the game? And if you were to say something back to a new teacher, like what would you say to them to make them have hope for what sounds to many like an impossible job? Thank you. That was perfectly said, Michelle.

Speaker 1

I don't even know if I can add to that. That was textbook, Nicole. We need to like bundle that up and take it to the universities and the colleges for all our new teachers. I think, you know, really the days can be tough and the days can be long, but for me personally, there's not a day that I don't want to be there. I love to go and be in our community. And really, it is the community of educators that, you know, are so passionate about teaching. And, you know, they're there because they love the job, they find it rewarding, and they love spending the time helping to make a difference in those kids' lives. Um, it it is true what Nicole says, that daily check-in of is this the kind of teacher that I would want to be for my own kids or want my own kids to have. But I think also trying to take time for, you know, looking after ourselves, which can be hard to do as teachers, that when we get into those tough moments or realize we need, you know, to fuel ourselves, that we actually take the time to do it and give ourselves some rest and some love and some self-care. So I'm very hopeful. I love, I love teaching and I feel like there are great educators doing great work.

Speaker 3

That was beautifully said too. So thank you.

Speaker 5

All right, we're gonna talk about a little bit about your podcast. Are you ready? All right. So we're it looks like we're going past 10. You're going past 10. So if you could choose one guest to be on your podcast, who would it be?

Speaker 3

You don't have to say the stud brothers. It's okay. Somebody you think you could never get on. You're, you know, it could be a dream too.

Speaker 1

Nicole, you yeah.

Speaker 3

Who calls? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1

Well, we do have the same list because we've been working on it together, and yes, you guys are on it. So we'll have to arrange that after the show. I felt like I knew who Nicole was going to pick. So I'm going to go a little bit in the opposite direction, and I am going to pick our dear friend and mentor, Erin. Her name is Erin Sky Kelly, and she is someone who Nicole and I really look up to. She has been a coach for both of us, and she's a big reason why both of us are here and have started our podcast. And I think that if she was a guest on our podcast, she could really talk to our audience about goal setting, habits for overall wellness and well-being. I think she could talk about keeping promises to ourselves and really sticking true to our beliefs and our boundaries and really developing our integrity. I think another episode could be about finances for teaching. She's a financial coach.

Speaker 6

Oh, yeah.

Speaker 1

And I think that it's not talked about enough in the world of education. And I think that could be a whole other episode or series for teachers as they prepare for their future and retirement. So I think that's who I would pick.

Speaker 3

That's fantastic. We we have not done one on financial issues either, but we've often said it's vital, I think. Yeah. Well, Michelle, Nicole, thank you so much for this appearance. It's been an absolute delight to have you on After the Bell. We so appreciate connecting and meeting two fellow podcasters and hearing about teaching from other perspectives in this world. And that's to me, this is just enriching and it it's part of my joy is connecting with people like you. Yeah. Me too. Absolutely. Yeah. And if you like, you know, then for sure, like like fire off an email if you have a question about something or something in the podcasting world or some connection and send away. Connect away. We love it. We love it for sure.

Speaker 1

It's been such a pleasure, you guys. What an honor to be with you today. I've been listening to your podcasts, and I was so excited to be on here with Nicole. And we just really appreciate you having us and just supporting us. We've read your comments on Spotify and loved your email when you reached out to us, and we just really feel supported by you.

Speaker 6

Thank you very much.

Wrap Up With Roy and Martin

Speaker 3

Nicole and Michelle. That was really good. Teachers next door.

Speaker 5

You could tell that they're friends. They're just giving each other compliments. Oh no, you're better than that than you're not. No, it's not. Oh no, no, no. You're better than that than I am. And I just say, oh, you're better than that.

Speaker 3

Well, there I can I can never match that laugh. I wouldn't I won't even enter that competition. So you're better at that than I am.

Speaker 5

Well I don't know why, but the the two of them remind me of a skit from SNL. Okay. Which what's uh and it's called uh the uh the Bronx Beat or the Bronx Box with uh Maya Rudolph and Amy Polar. Yeah. And they're two moms. Yeah. And they interview people from their community. Yeah. And uh but they're good friends. Yes. And and then so they play upon that friendship and and things. Um obviously they're not exactly like them, I don't know why, but somehow it has a spirit of of that love of being together. Aaron Ross Powell Yeah.

Speaker 3

And I just love the way they decided we're gonna do a podcast and they basically press record and started to do it. And just kind of like you and I. We decide we're doing this. Sometimes you just gotta jump in in life, right? You can talk and talk all you want.

Speaker 5

And I think one of the things that that we did, we were overly scripted when we started. We were very cautious. And uh I just love the fact that they just sit down and just start talking. Trevor Burrus, Jr.

Speaker 3

Yeah. And that's what we start to do now, right? Trevor Burrus, Jr.: We're better at it. Almost I'm better at that. You were always good at that. Trevor Burrus, Jr.: No, it's it's gelled. You are fantastic at it, my friend. Trevor Burrus, Oh, thank you. Yeah, you are.

Speaker 5

Trevor Burrus, And now I I think there are podcasts and our podcast with them is rubbed off because you're just full of compliments.

Speaker 3

I yeah. Well, you're easy to compliment. There you go. But I think I think it was the summer sessions we did that really we were able to develop that skill of just the STS, right? Just to do it without worrying about scripting it and just have the conversation. To me, the best podcast, you're kind of just eavesdropping on this conversation and going, wow, I like listening to those two. And I really like listening to Nicole and Michelle. I listened to their podcast. They've just had episode 11 at least, I think. They actually had their their husbands on, their first guests, right? Which was just after I guess we had talked to them. And I thought that was what a fantastic idea. Should we bring our wives on? You think they'd say no. No. I don't think they'd be to meet those, would they? Not yet. Yeah. Not yet. So we'll see. We'll keep working on that one. We'll think about it. Yeah. But thank you, everyone. Thanks for listening. Thank you. Check out Teachers Next Door. Listen to their journey, listen to their interaction. Because I just, to me, this job is really hard. And the more educators you listen to, that kind of make you realize we're all on the same page, we're all doing the best they can. I think it makes it a little easier. Yes. Yeah. So stay happy, stay stay healthy, stay fit. We'll see you next time on After the Bell. Bye-bye. This podcast is organic, taking shape with each episode.

Speaker 4

Hmm.

Speaker 3

Building resiliency for teachers everywhere.

Speaker 4

That sounds great.

Speaker 3

And our website is stuntbrothers.ca.

Speaker 4

That's stuntbrothers.ca.

Speaker 3

We will chat again.

Speaker 4

After the bell.

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The Stunt Brothers

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