In this episode of Teatime Thoughts on The Teachers’ Tribe Podcast, we explore the powerful truth that change is constant. Whether you're a parent adjusting to a new routine, a teacher navigating curriculum shifts, or a caregiver supporting a child through a big transition—this conversation is for you. You'll hear personal reflections, practical tools, and empowering questions to help you and the children you care for move through change with grace and intention. 🎙️In this episode: *Why change ...
Jul 11, 2025•7 min
After 30 years in the classroom, I thought I’d seen it all… but this year changed me. New grade. New school. New challenges; and a reminder that healing is possible. This week on The Teachers’ Tribe Podcast, I’m reflecting on the year that grew me — and what every parent, teacher, and caregiver should know about helping our children (and ourselves) thrive. Intro Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James
Jul 04, 2025•12 min
“Friendship is a gift that lasts.” What do lasting friendships teach our children—and us? In this episode, we explore the lifelong impact of true friendship and how we can help children build and cherish connections that matter. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you are invited to think about how we nurture friendships in the lives of children—and in our own lives. With practical ideas, a gentle activity, and heartfelt storytelling, it’s a warm reminder of the power of connection. ...
Jun 27, 2025•9 min
This episode is a reflection on what it means to listen – really listen – in the context of raising and educating children. We’ll look at how listening builds understanding, why it’s so hard to do sometimes, and a few practical shifts you can make today to create a more connected relationship with the young people in your life. Intro Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James Website: Podcast - The Teachers' Tribe
Jun 20, 2025•8 min
This conversation is about something we all face at some point — maybe even today — and that’s the bumps in the road. Whether you’re parenting a strong-willed toddler, guiding a struggling student, or nurturing a child through big life changes, this message is for you. Let’s talk about parenting, teaching, caregiving, and the beautiful, messy journey of raising children. Intro Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James
Jun 13, 2025•8 min
Today’s teatime thoughts will focus on the idea that "Every neighbor can be your teacher." This one simple sentence holds a world of wisdom, especially for us — parents, teachers, caregivers — who are raising the next generation. How do we, as adults, bring this idea to life for the children we care for? This episode contains practical tips to accomplish this. Intro Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James
Jun 01, 2025•9 min
We’re brewing up something special – quite literally. We’re diving into the heartwarming tradition of tea drinking in Jamaican culture, and how that simple act of sipping bush tea can become a powerful moment of reflection – not just for us as adults, but for the little ones in our care. Let us explore the wisdom tucked away in this little piece of Jamaican culture. Intro Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James
May 30, 2025•8 min
Maintaining family connections in these times takes deliberate effort and intentionality. We can all agree that relationships, including those in families, are important because they provide a sense of identity, a sense of belonging, and also serve as sources of stability and strength. In this episode, I captured a wonderful conversation with four family members from the next generation about how our family connections have impacted them. As you listen, consider how you can also strengthen conne...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Seasons change; and with changes, feelings of unease and discomfort are possible. This reflective episode examines some life changes and challenging issues that educators face. Teacher life is not an easy road and the demands and expectations continue to increase. Summer break is really a time of recuperation for many, yet some cannot even do so because they have to work to make ends meet. As you listen, think about how you can make a difference in the life of an educator today. REFERENCE LINKS:...
Jul 05, 2024•16 min
The conversation about the journey to motherhood with Laurie White wraps up in this episode. After welcoming a baby into the world, joy is evident and the real work begins. It is arguably the hardest job that a woman will undertake. Another level of planning is required to make arrangements for bringing a baby home and ensuring that the baby is welcomed into a safe environment. The mother’s recovery and care along with focusing on the welfare of the baby are also addressed in this informative ep...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 16 min
One of life’s greatest joys is welcoming a new baby. Labour and delivery is worth the wonderful face-to-face introduction of mother and baby. “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” – Rajneesh The conversation with Nurse Laurie White, continues in this episode with a focus on delivery and postpartum. Related Episode: Back to Basics - Part 1 (Pregnancy) https://on.soundcloud.co...
May 27, 2024•59 min
Education is a journey of a lifetime, and we can all benefit from gaining knowledge about a variety of subjects. It is not restricted to a formal classroom setting focusing on core subjects and opportunities to explore the arts. In this episode, we are stepping over into the healthcare setting. This conversation will be shared in three parts, and part one is being released quite fittingly at the end of teacher and nurse appreciation week and on Mother’s Day. Let's learn about pregnancy and prena...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Hindsight is 20:20. In this episode, I share some aspects of my international teaching experience in the United States of America. Like my colleagues in the previous episode, embarking on this adventure came with challenges, unique situations, and many opportunities for growth. It was a moment of reflection from which others can glean valuable insight. Find previous episodes at theteacherstribe.com or on your favorite podcast platform. Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlan...
Mar 29, 2024•18 min
The conversation continues with two of my fellow educators who have traveled abroad to teach in the United States. Ana Encalada and Olga Santiago traveled from Ecuador and Colombia respectively and are teaching 2nd and 3rd grade in their assigned school. In this second part of the conversation, we reflect on the diversity that exists in our school, and discuss the challenges they faced as international educators. We also talk about the benefits of their international teaching adventure. There we...
Jul 03, 2023•37 min
This is part one of another teacher-focused conversation that I hope you will not only find interesting and educational, but also inspiring. Imagine packing up only what could fit into two suitcases and jetting off across the globe to a new country that spoke a different language from your native one. That is what these two international educators did — one from Colombia and the other from Ecuador. Our conversation provided deep insight into some of the benefits and challenges that international...
Jun 26, 2023•35 min
The second part of the conversation with first year high school Chemistry and Biotechnology teacher, Malik McFarlane, continues in this episode. He talks more about how he’s been influenced by fellow educators, classroom and time management and his future plans as an educator. He is in a position and on a career path that required a significant change in years of planning. According to John Lennon, “LIfe is what happens to you while you are busy making plans.” It has been an interesting experien...
May 26, 2023•47 min
In this episode, I engage my most frequent guest so far in a conversation about his experience as a first year Chemistry and Biotechnology educator at the high school level. I never anticipated that I would be a guest in the position of an educator; but his high school and college experiences prepared him to change paths and take on a teaching career. Malik McFarlane received a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Chemistry with a Concentration in Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery from Wake...
May 14, 2023•59 min
In this episode, I continued a heart-felt, authentic, and wonderful conversation with my two older brothers - Junior and Courtney. The conversation got deep and emotional at times, but the sincerity and lightheartedness that was intertwined in it, made for balanced discourse. You’ll get a glimpse of our culture and childhood, interspersed with a sprinkling of a few languages and diverse experiences.
Apr 07, 2023•51 min
In this episode, I had a wonderful conversation with two very special men about someone very dear to us. I hope this episode resonates with you and inspires you to acknowledge an important woman in your life as we wrap up Women’s History Month. Enjoy listening to this first part of an intimate conversation that I had with my two older brothers about our mother - the woman who dominates our history.
Apr 03, 2023•46 min
In this episode, I share my reflections on the first part of Angela Watson’s book, Fewer Things Better. It caused me to consider what myths I have accepted as facts and what changes are imperative for the sake of my mental health and physical and well being. Are there things in your life that you wish could change but you are convinced that they are inevitable? What if we could change these things and make our lives better? Her statement, “You CAN’T do it all (and you don’t have to try)” resonat...
Jul 15, 2022•15 min
Breathing should be a natural part of our existence. Life begins with an inhale, and ends with an exhale. Do you need to give yourself permission to simply breathe and find sources of joy in your everyday life? As Henri Nouwen said, “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” After a long, unscheduled break, and an exhausting school year, this episode provides the opportunity to reset our minds, refocus, exhale past burdens and inhale the future with...
Jul 08, 2022•14 min
All of us can use some support sometimes, and we need to find the right people to help us. Support is one of the best gifts that we can offer another human. Misty Copeland said, “Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” Parents, caregivers and teachers need to glean all the support they need to facilitate the success of their children and students. This episode invites you to reflect on what kind of support you need and can give. Related Episodes 006 Teacher-led...
Jul 30, 2021•17 min
This episode provides tips for beginning teachers and parents & caregivers who are preparing students for school for the first time. The early years of school for children, parents, caregivers and beginning teachers are definitely periods of adjustment and transition. We can all set ourselves up for success if we take some proactive steps now. Beginning teachers, check out Episode 011 from season 1, entitled The Joy of Teaching, when I reflected on some of my teacher training and beginning t...
Jul 26, 2021•23 min
It is great to move from being tired plus tax and feeling stuck to being settled and revived. Can you relate to these experiences? I am happy to share tried and proven tips with you in this episode. Albert Einstein said, “How many people are trapped in their everyday habits: part numb, part frightened, part indifferent?” To have a better life we must keep choosing how we are living.” Let’s exchange tips on Instagram and Facebook after listening. Remember that you can find links to all episodes a...
Jul 16, 2021•13 min
Being a teacher, parent or caregiver is not an easy task. It was extremely challenging this year and summer break has found us very exhausted. The best expression to describe how I am feeling this year is, “Mi tiyad plus tax”. Has it been challenging for you or your child to unwind from this school year? Join me in exploring this unusual feeling as I share strategies that have helped me to adjust to the residual effects of the varying experiences over the past year. If you need to eliminate stre...
Jul 02, 2021•17 min
Many school systems across the United States have already ended the school year while others are approaching the end. Getting to the end evokes a spontaneous sigh of relief mixed with a strong sense of gratitude. I have done some reflecting and gleaned lessons from the experiences of teaching virtually for this entire school year. Reminisce with me as I share the roller coaster-like events of teaching and learning during a pandemic. Parents and caregivers will find nuggets that can be used to ha...
Jun 20, 2021•21 min
This time last year we were in a state of uncertainty, high anxiety for some and instability for others. In the early weeks of this podcast, social-emotional wellbeing was the focus. One year later, it is still an important matter to consider. When the pandemic was wreaking havoc across the globe this time last year, I was deeply concerned about how my children and students were coping. As a result, I engaged my three sons in conversations about that in Season 1 Episodes 1, 2 and 3. They are bac...
Jun 06, 2021•1 hr 14 min
My fellow Yaadies and educators, Arleen Steers and Kamilah Roper-Robinson and I, continue our conversation in today’s episode. They are currently cultural exchange teachers in an elementary school in the United States. In last week’s episode, they shared their journeys that led them to the teaching profession and how they broke through barriers to build meaningful relationships with their students, parents and coworkers. They both had to demonstrate resilience and overcome numerous challenges in...
May 28, 2021•50 min
Today marks the 1-year anniversary of The Teachers' Tribe Podcast!!! In recognition of this milestone, I am offering this little brawta episode. The word brawta is used in reference to getting extra, a bonus, above what is expected. For example, if you went to the market to buy fruits, it wouldn’t be unusual for the customer to ask for the brawta or the vendor would give an unsolicited extra item. You could say it is the Jamaican equivalent of “a baker’s dozen”. Thank you for your support! Conti...
May 27, 2021•4 min
Another episode of the Inspiring Educators series is here! Listen to my conversation with two Jamaican Educators who are currently teaching in the United States of America. I am very excited to introduce my colleagues and fellow Yaadies, Arleen Steers and Kamilah Roper-Robinson. We talked about their individual journeys that led them into the teaching profession and eventually taking on the role of cultural exchange educators. Overcoming culture shock and other challenges, highlighted their resi...
May 21, 2021•49 min
