The Teacher Next Door: A Teacher-Mom on Friendship, Moving States & Kids Today

“The Teacher Next Door: A Teacher-Mom on Friendship, Moving States & Kids Today” — Wanna Grab Coffee? with Natalie Lisk Ever had a neighbor become part of your village? This week I’m sitting down with Melissa; one of my favorite humans, former across-the-street neighbor, and the teacher-mom who helped raise my kids during our cul-de-sac years. Melissa recently did something incredibly brave: she moved her family out of state, left the only community she’s ever known, and started teaching in a completely new school system. In this conversation we talk about: -What actually happens when you move your family to a new state -Teaching 4th & 5th graders in 2025 — the emotions, the tech, the expectations -Why kids today struggle with focus, grit, and problem-solving -The hidden emotional labor teachers carry -Parenting styles, classroom culture, and what teachers wish parents knew -How mom friendships become lifelines — especially during COVID-era motherhood -Cowboy romance books, Amazon “potato shoes,” and the art of driveway therapy If you’ve ever lost your village, rebuilt your village, or wished you had one — this episode will feel like a warm cup of coffee on the driveway. 🎙️ Listen, share, and tag a teacher-mom who would love this.