Remember that teacher down the hall who seems to have it all figured out?
Her classroom runs itself. She knows what to say to families. She has systems for everything. And somehow, she makes teaching look a whole lot easier than it feels for you right now.
Here's what you don't see:
She was a new teacher once, too.
Welcome to That New Teacher Next Door Podcast, where teachers take you back to the beginning and tell the real stories behind the teachers they are today.
Hosted by author and educator Helena Hains, each episode feels like pulling up a chair at your favorite coffee shop with your teacher besties. So grab your favorite cup of chai and join us as we talk about the messy first years, classroom management struggles, parent communication, organization, planning, mistakes, breakthroughs, and all the things we wish we'd known sooner.
Because great teachers don't start out having it all figured out.
They learn. They grow. They try things that don't work. And over time, they figure out what works best for them.
That teacher next door you look up to might not be as far away as you think.
Because if they can do it… why not you?
That New Teacher Next Door
Work Less. Impact More.
#1: From Sticky Note Lesson Plans to a Student-Led Classroom with La Maestra Loca
La Maestra Loca started her first year of teaching with lesson plans from her mentor teacher… written on a sticky note. 😅
Cue the first-year-teacher panic.
Today, she’s known for creating joyful, student-centered classrooms and helping educators build strong classroom communities.
So how did she get from there to here?
In this episode, we’re talking about what her first year of teaching was really like and the lessons she’s learned since about classroom management, community, and giving students ownership of their classroom.
We get into classroom jobs, brain breaks, movement, building relationships, and what it actually looks like to create a classroom where students aren't just following the teacher — they're an active part of making the classroom run.
And if you're in your first few years of teaching wondering why you haven't figured it all out yet, I hope this conversation reminds you:
The teachers you look up to started somewhere, too.
They've just had more time to figure out what works.
So grab your favorite cup of chai and pull up a chair, because around here, we’re just teacher friends swapping stories about where we started and everything we’ve learned since.
☕️ HANG OUT WITH THAT NEW TEACHER NEXT DOOR
📖 That New Teacher Next Door Book:
https://a.co/d/03wZv8WM (https://a.co/d/03wZv8WM)
🎒 That New Teacher Next Door Journey:
https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/no8nTL22 (https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/no8nTL22)
✨ FREE Student-Led Classroom Guide:
https://www.thepresentteacher.com/classroom-management-guide (https://www.thepresentteacher.com/classroom-management-guide)
CONNECT WITH LA MAESTRA LOCA
🌎 Website: www.lamaestraloca.com (http://www.lamaestraloca.com)
📱 Socials: @lamaestraloca
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamaestraloca/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/lamaestraloca/?hl=en)
🧠 10 Day Brain Break Challenge: https://subscribe.lamaestraloca.com/10dayBrainBreakChallenge (https://subscribe.lamaestraloca.com/10dayBrainBreakChallenge)
🎧 Teaching La Vida Loca Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1893917 (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1893917)
13 Jul 2026
#194: Setting Up Your Classroom Intentionally Prevents 90% of Teacher Problems
Most classroom problems don't begin in October.
They begin before students ever walk through the door.
When I was a first-year teacher, I spent my entire summer decorating a travel-themed classroom. It looked beautiful—but by the last week of summer, I was scrambling to figure out what I was actually going to teach.
The result?
A chaotic first week, constant behavior issues, and the feeling that I was already behind.
In this episode, we're talking about why classroom setup isn't really about decorating—it's about intentionally designing a classroom that supports learning, reduces disruptions, and makes teaching easier all year long.
You'll learn how thinking about systems before aesthetics can dramatically reduce stress, improve classroom management, and help you enjoy setting up your classroom instead of feeling overwhelmed.
In this episode, we'll cover:
The biggest classroom setup mistake most teachers make
What intentional classroom design actually means
How your classroom layout affects student behavior
Why systems should come before decorations
The Poolside Teacher approach to creating a classroom that works for you
A beautiful classroom is wonderful.
A classroom that functions beautifully is life-changing.
Download the FREE Ultimate Classroom Setup Guide Here: https://thepresentteacher.mykajabi.com/classroom-setup-guide
Grab the Ultimate Classroom Setup Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Classroom-Setup-Bundle-12060099
Join the Poolside Teacher Experience for $14: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/ANPGSEczv
6 Jul 2026
#193: Good Teachers Don’t Wait Until Their Classroom Is Completely Set Up to Enjoy Their Summer
What if spending your entire summer in your classroom isn't what makes you a great teacher?
For years, I believed that the best teachers sacrificed their summers to prepare for back to school. Then everything changed.
During my first year in a new district, I didn't spend months setting up my classroom. Instead, I traveled to Cancun, visited a lake cabin in Idaho, and actually enjoyed my summer. I only spent two weeks preparing my classroom—and when school started, I realized something surprising:
I wasn't behind.
In this episode, we're challenging one of the biggest lies teachers have been told: that working all summer is a badge of honor.
We'll redefine what actually makes a great teacher, explore why rest benefits both you and your students, and introduce a different approach to classroom setup—one that helps you work less while creating an incredible classroom.
In this episode, we'll discuss:
Why working all summer doesn't determine your worth as a teacher
What truly makes someone a great educator
How rest makes you more patient, creative, and effective
Why your students benefit when you enjoy your summer
The Poolside Teacher approach to classroom setup
You deserve a summer that includes both preparation and relaxation.
Download the FREE Ultimate Classroom Setup Guide Here: https://thepresentteacher.mykajabi.com/classroom-setup-guide
Grab the Ultimate Classroom Setup Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Classroom-Setup-Bundle-12060099
Join the Poolside Teacher Experience for $14: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/ANPGSEczv
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