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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 list as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to education. Sandy shares the remarkable journey that took her from growing up on a farm in Ōamaru to leading schools in Auckland and now supporting principals across the region.

Sandy reflects on how she entered teaching almost by accident, the years she took off to raise four children, and the unexpected opportunities that led her into senior leadership. She offers a candid look at the realities of principalship, the pressure of decision-making, the importance of strategic thinking, and the weight of responsibility that comes with leading a school community.

Throughout the episode, Sandy highlights the power of relationships, trust, and culture within a school. She speaks openly about the challenges leaders face, the need for support networks, and how principals can manage the complexities of change while keeping student well-being and learning at the centre.

Now working as a leadership adviser, Sandy shares how meaningful it is to stand alongside school leaders, offering guidance, clarity, and a listening ear. Her reflections are grounded, wise, and full of heart, a valuable listen for teachers, aspiring leaders, and anyone passionate about education.

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 path in health coaching. 

As we celebrate Mental Health Week at school, I thought it was the perfect time to open up and share my personal story with you. From starting out as a PE teacher to discovering a love for teaching Spanish to reaching breaking point with stress, and finally finding balance and renewed purpose through health coaching — this conversation goes deep into the highs, lows, and lessons learnt along the way. 

Together, Catie and I talk about: 

• What inspired me to become a teacher and how my career has evolved
• The challenges of burnout and how it impacted my well-being
• The small, practical lifestyle changes that helped me feel better
• Why I’ve launched Nurturing Educators to support teachers everywhere
• My vision for creating a safe, supportive community where educators can thrive

This is also a special episode because it’s the finale of Season One. I’ll be taking a break to connect with more inspiring teachers and prepare a fresh season full of conversations, insights, and strategies to help you thrive in teaching and in life.
 
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey so far. Your support, listens, and feedback mean the world. I can’t wait to return with Season Two, but for now, I hope my story offers encouragement and a reminder that even small steps can make a big difference.
 
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow educators. Let’s keep the conversation going.
 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 tertiary educator and why outdoor education has been a life-changing force for both himself and countless students. 

We explore how outdoor ed builds resilience, leadership, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and mental wellbeing, while also providing authentic ways to connect with te ao Māori and Aotearoa’s environment. David highlights the life lessons you simply can’t teach within four walls and shares inspiring stories of students whose lives have been transformed through the subject. 

With current government proposals threatening to downgrade outdoor education in schools, this conversation also shines a light on what’s at stake, why we need to protect this pathway, and how teachers, parents, and communities can take action. 

If you care about the future of Outdoor education in Schools in New Zealand and believe in the value of learning beyond the classroom, this episode is a must-listen. 

👉 Visit eonz.org.nz
To learn how you can support the movement to protect outdoor education. #BringOutdoorEdBackIn

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 her love for football, both as a player and coach. She shares how early experiences coaching younger kids, a lifelong passion for sport, and the example set by her mother, a respected educator, inspired her to pursue teaching. 

Alyssa reflects on her journey through teacher training during the challenges of COVID-19, the lessons learnt on placements, and the transition from student teacher to having her own classroom. She opens up about the unique challenges of starting her career at 21, including gaining respect from students only 10 years younger, and how setting boundaries and building relationships helped her succeed. From teaching writing to running a football programme for 350 students, Alyssa’s dedication to both academics and extracurriculars shines through. 

Listeners will hear candid insights on what it is like as a new teacher, the value of extracurricular involvement, and the patience needed to thrive in education. Alyssa’s story is a full-circle moment, from a student in my Spanish class and on the football team I coached to a confident teacher shaping young lives. Whether you’re a beginning teacher, a coach, or someone considering the profession, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical wisdom, and a reminder of the lasting impact a passionate educator can have. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 transformation with honesty and warmth, reflecting on what led her to teaching, the joys of extracurricular involvement, and the decision to step away after two decades in the same school. 

She talks about her time working in an open-plan school in Queenstown, the process of retraining as a careers advisor through NMIT, and how she completed her diploma while working as a domestic flight attendant. Liz also offers practical insights into how she supports students in planning their future careers, the importance of soft skills in an ever-changing job market, and why having a ‘Plan B’ is crucial, especially for students aiming for competitive fields like medicine. 

Whether you’re an educator considering a change, a career advisor, or someone passionate about guiding young people, Liz’s story is a powerful reminder that reinvention is always possible and that every step of the journey can shape the impact we have on others. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 Auckland secondary school, Jess offers valuable insights into her evolution as an educator. 

She shares how her background in science eventually led her to teaching, and how an unexpected practicum experience accelerated her development. We delve into the challenges and rewards of curriculum leadership, her approach to supporting students with maths anxiety, and the importance of building a confident, inclusive classroom culture. Jess also reflects on the power of mentorship, the benefits of collaboration, and why she believes progress should be celebrated just as much as performance. 

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just someone curious about what really goes on behind the classroom door, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical wisdom, and a whole lot of heart.

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 journeys with the language, the cultural richness it brings to students’ lives, and the important role it plays in shaping our national identity. 

Mel and Emma discuss the challenges of fitting te reo Māori into busy school timetables and shifting perceptions around its value, especially among whānau and in mainstream education settings. They share practical strategies for introducing te reo Māori into classrooms, including simple greetings, school haka, and translating school songs, while highlighting the power of small steps in creating meaningful change. 

This kōrero is a reminder of the power of language to connect, uplift, and instill pride. Whether you're a seasoned kaiako or just beginning your reo journey, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace Te reo Māori in your own way, mistakes and all. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 love and adventure, and ended up building a life and legacy that has touched countless students and fellow educators over the years. 

Gloria shares the story of her early days in NZ, when there were hardly any Spanish speakers around and everything felt new and unfamiliar. She talks about the challenges of settling in, finding community, and navigating a completely different culture. all while staying true to her roots. We dive into her journey as a Senior Lecturer at AUT, her love for the Spanish language, and how she’s helped grow its presence in New Zealand. Her passion for teaching and connection shines through every word. 

This episode is full of gems, Gloria offers thoughtful, heartfelt advice for anyone starting fresh in a new country, pursuing a teaching career, or just figuring out where they belong. Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to follow your heart, and that with a bit of courage and a lot of aroha, you really can build a beautiful life across the world. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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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 fierce team spirit, and thoughtful approach to teaching. In this episode, she opens up about navigating the early years of teaching, finding her stride, and the value of connection and community in the school environment. Whether she’s learning on the go or rallying her team to a win, Lucy’s passion and purpose shine through. 

We also take a look back at Lucy’s unexpected journey into teaching. After completing a degree in Psychology, German, Accounting, and Commercial law, Lucy initially followed a corporate path before realising her heart was elsewhere. A timely opportunity to study teaching through a practical, school-based program helped her transition into education, and she hasn’t looked back since. Tune in for a candid conversation about figuring things out, finding the right fit, and why her third year of teaching has been her best one yet. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

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 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 educator and health coach, who’s passionate about supporting teacher and student well-being. 

With over two decades of teaching experience across New Zealand, Kathryn shares how her journey led from the classroom to several principal roles and, more recently, to working with students online. 

Kathryn offers practical well-being strategies that busy teachers can start using right away—like reconnecting with your "why," taking mindful nature breaks, and prioritising sleep and nutrition. Her reflections on self-compassion, including insights from Dr. Kristin Neff, remind educators to care for themselves with the same kindness they show their students. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

For more information, guest recommendations, and sponsorship opportunities
or to chat, please email: [email protected] or visit www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

Thanks for listening!