Nurturing Educators
Welcome to Nurturing Educators, the podcast that brings you inspiring and insightful conversations with teachers who are passionate about education and well-being. Join host Debbie Ross as she explores the personal stories, challenges, and triumphs of educators from diverse backgrounds, sharing practical tips and strategies for thriving in and out of the classroom. Whether you're a teacher looking for support or just curious about the world of education, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on what it means to teach and live well.
Episodes
30 episodes
Through a PTA & Parent lens with Anna-Marie
In this episode, Debbie Ross sits down with her bestie, Anna-Marie. A mum and local PTA chair, to offer a candid and heartfelt look at the world of primary education through the lens of a parent. Set against the backdrop of their move from Auck...
Keep Art History with Andrea
In this episode, Host Debbie sits down with Andrea, a dedicated Art History teacher and Year 9 Dean, to discuss the transformative power of art education and the current challenges facing the subject in New Zealand schools. Andrea shares her pe...
Teaching through life with Lisa
In this episode, Debbie sits down with Lisa, a passionate and energetic PE teacher with over 25 years of experience in education. Lisa shares her journey into teaching, a path that began almost by accident, and reflects on a career that has spa...
Teaching in Japan with Elaisha
In this episode, Debbie sits down with her friend and performing arts colleague Elaisha, who spent eight unforgettable years living and working in Japan. Together, they explore what it’s really like to pack up your life and move overseas, from ...
Lights, camera, classroom with Jaymee
In this episode, I sit down with Jaymee, a vibrant fourth-year media and performing arts teacher whose journey into education began long before her teaching degree. From playing “school” as a child with whiteboards and worksheets to discovering...
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From Burnout to Balance with Laura Alpe
Today on Nurturing Educators, we’re joined by the wonderful Laura Alpe, founder of Aura Wellbeing. Laura is a te reo Māori-speaking educator, remedial massage therapist, yoga lover, and new mum, who brings authenticity, warmth, and wis...
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Wild education with Sam
In this episode, Debbie talks with Sam, a former student who has blended her love of teaching with her passion for animals to become a primate keeper at Wellington Zoo. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a biology minor, Sam ...
Family, faith and teaching with Candice
Today I sit down with Candice, a business studies and accounting teacher in her eleventh year, to explore how faith, family, and community shape her approach to life and teaching. She shares the surprising moment that led her into the classroom...
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A Principal's perspective with Sandy
In this inspiring conversation, Debbie sits down with Sandy, an experienced educator, former principal, and current leadership adviser with the Ministry of Education. We congratulate Sandy, as she has been recognised in the New Year's honours l...
Teaching & Health Coaching
This week on Nurturing Educators, we’re mixing things up! Instead of me hosting, my dear friend Catie takes over the mic and interviews me about my journey as a teacher, the struggles I’ve faced with burnout, and how I’ve found a new p...
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#BringOutdoorEdBackIn with David
In this episode, I talk with David, Programme Coordinator for the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at Wintec, to talk about the power and importance of Outdoor Education in Aotearoa. David shares his journey from high school teacher to te...
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Beyond the Whistle with Alyssa
In this episode of Nurturing Educators, I catch up with Alyssa Golding, once my student, now a thriving intermediate school teacher and sports coach. At just 23, Alyssa has already built an impressive teaching career while balancing he...
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From teaching to careers with Liz
In this episode I chat with Liz, a seasoned educator whose career has taken her from the PE department and language classroom to the skies as a flight attendant and finally into her current role as a careers advisor. Liz shares her journey of t...
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All things Maths with Jess
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Jess, an experienced and passionate maths teacher, to unpack her 13-year journey in education. From helping out in her mum’s primary school classrooms to now leading the junior maths program at a large...
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Embracing te reo Māori in Schools with Mel and Emma
In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I am joined by two passionate champions of te reo Māori—Mel, a secondary school Te Reo teacher, and Emma, a Māori Media student at AUT and kapa haka tutor. Together, they share their personal journey...
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The Spanish Kiwi with Gloria
In this episode, I sit down with Gloria Vazquez – a vibrant, passionate, and much-loved figure in the Spanish teaching community here in Aotearoa. Originally from Asturias in the north of Spain, Gloria came to New Zealand in the late 1980s for ...
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Early classroom journey with Lucy
Today we’re catching up with Lucy, a warm-hearted, down-to-earth teacher who brings both heart to everything she does. From the classroom to the hockey turf, Lucy is known for her strong relationships with colleagues and students, her fie...
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Educator Well-being with Kathryn
Every teacher knows the weight of responsibility that comes with nurturing young minds—but who’s looking after the educators themselves? In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with Kathryn, an experienced teacher turned online educat...
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Chalkboard Change with Emily
What happens when a teacher steps outside her comfort zone to grow in a completely new environment? Emily, a third-year social sciences teacher, shares her journey transitioning from a Catholic school to a diverse, lower socioeconomic school. U...
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Teacher-Mum life with Melita
What happens when a passionate primary teacher returns to the classroom after time off to raise her kids? Melita, a dedicated educator with 15 years' experience, shares how motherhood gave her a fresh, empathetic lens on teaching. S...
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The Adaptable Educator with Laura
Teaching in a new country comes with its fair share of challenges—but also incredible rewards. In this episode, UK-born educator Laura shares her inspiring journey from the classrooms of East London to an all-girls college in New Zealand, revea...
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Makerspace Learning with Will
Will’s journey from professional designer to passionate educator provides the perfect foundation for his role in creating an innovative school makerspace. Inspired by his own art teachers, he pursued his long-held dream of teaching after a deca...
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Language journeys with Claire
Ever thought about how something as fun as the Spice Girls could kickstart a lifelong love for learning a language? Join me, Debbie Ross, as I chat with the amazing Claire. A passionate language teacher whose journey from learning Spanish in hi...
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Teaching through the years with Carol
Ready to be inspired by Carol, an extraordinary educator whose teaching journey began later in life but is rich with insights and passion? Carol, originally from Edinburgh but calls New Zealand home, shares her captivating story of transitionin...
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One school, many hats with Sarah
In this episode, I chat with Sarah, an inspiring educator who has spent over 15 years balancing her passion for teaching with family life. Sarah’s journey took her from a sports-oriented education to various leadership roles, including acting d...
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