First Week, Full Circle

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Hey y’all, welcome back to Chalkboard Chatter! It’s Candice—Mrs. Nicholson if you’re tuning in from the classroom—and I am still buzzing a bit from that first week back at school. I mean, honestly, it’s like running a sprint and a marathon at the same time, if that makes any sense. You know how you gear up all summer, thinking about how it’ll feel to step back in the building, and then suddenly you’re in it—bells are ringing, little sneakers are squeaking, and there’s just this vibe of brand-new possibility? I love this part. The energy in the air, the fresh notebooks—don’t get me started on school supplies or we’ll be here all day—everything just feels so ripe for something good to happen.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

My scholars—they didn’t skip a beat. We had those classic first-day jitters, sure, but by day two? Folks were already reminding me about morning routines and holding each other accountable—I mean, the way they look out for each other melts me every single year. You can see the wheels turning, curiosity peeking out, kindness in every little gesture. Courage, too. There’s always that one who asks, “Can I—umm, can I stay in for a few minutes and finish this book?” I almost cried right there. Is it weird to be so proud of a kid asking for extra reading time? That’s the magic right there.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

We dove into all kinds of goal-setting activities, spent time talking about who we are, what we care about, and what it looks like to show up as our best selves. It’s messy, right? Identity and belonging are big things for eight- and nine-year-olds—but my room is this safe little lab where curiosity is celebrated and mistakes are just stepping stones. It’s so important to make space for that.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

And oh—let me not forget the families and fellow teachers out there! You did that—packing lunches, running bedtime bootcamps, celebrating those tiny victories at drop-off… none of it goes unnoticed. I am deeply grateful for every encouraging word you whisper during those hard mornings or late nights. To my educator friends: y’all, take a breath. You’ve just planted the seeds for so much growth. We’ve got a foundation now, and I promise the best is yet to come. One week down—so many more stories to write.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

So, after all that classroom energy, I stepped into a whole new wave of pride and nerves over the weekend. Let me tell you—Friday, September 8th, 2025, is a date I will not forget, probably ever. Picture this: me, standing on stage at the Henry Center, receiving the Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award with Dr. Rick Stiggins, Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, and Dr. Sally Nogle. Y’all, I kept waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say, “Oh, sorry, we made a mix-up.” But no—it was real!

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Now, if you don’t know these names, let me give you a quick rundown—just a taste, because their bios are basically the length of a novel. Dr. Stiggins? A foundational voice in assessment, challenging us to think different about what and why we measure in classrooms. He did the work before assessment was even cool, if you ask me. And Dr. Hawkins—talk about leadership! He transformed Talladega College, put the first graduate program in place, championed representation at HBCUs. Then there’s Dr. Nogle: the trailblazer, first female football athletic trainer in the Big Ten and a force in sports medicine. Just being in their company… wow.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

And, of course, MSU made it feel like home. President Guskiewicz and his wife Amy, their welcome at the Cowles House had me feeling all sorts of nostalgia—and, I’ll admit, a pinch of imposter syndrome. Dean Jerlando Jackson, thank you for your vision and leadership, and for shouting out Chalkboard Chatter at the ceremony—my heart may have done a flip! I got to take Vern back to my old stomping grounds, show him my dorm, walk the campus, stand on that lawn where I used to dream big dreams. It was like life did a big, beautiful loop and brought me right back—only now, I get to keep paying it forward with you all. If you’re an aspiring educator or someone reimagining your role, just know—your story matters, too. Go Green, forever.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Switching gears for a minute, let’s talk wellness—which, if you’ve tuned in before, you know I’m big on. You know, every time we start a new school year, it’s so easy for teachers—and families, honestly—to put themselves at the very bottom of the list. The planning, the grading, the after-hours emails, running around, trying to patch together a home-cooked meal between lessons and IEPs… whew. It adds up.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

This year, Vern and I made a little promise to ourselves: walks in the park, every week, no negotiation. Sometimes we laugh about work stuff, sometimes we vent, sometimes we just walk quietly beside each other—past rivers, through the woods, by playgrounds full of joyful noise. I guess, for us, it’s walking that gets us back to feeling centered. For you, it might be something totally different—maybe it’s journaling, or a few minutes of prayer, or even turning up your favorite playlist for a solo living room dance party. Whatever fills your cup, don’t let it slip through the cracks.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Honestly, I used to downplay the value of those small rituals—like it had to be yoga or nothing, you know? But now, I see how just taking time for yourself can totally transform how you show up in the classroom, or with your own kids, or just for yourself. When we take care of our minds and bodies, we show up with more patience, more creativity, more heart. So go on, find your park—whatever that looks like for you this year.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Oh, before I move on, a little life hack I picked up—tech isn’t just for the classroom, trust me. I’ve started using AI-powered meal planning apps—like Whisk, Yummly, Mealime…they make it easy to plan, shop, and actually stick to eating better. They cut down the noise so I can focus on the stuff that really lights me up. If you’re like me and somehow always forget an ingredient, let the robots help a little!

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Now that brings us right into a topic I probably talk about too much—using tech to keep us sane as educators. Because, let’s be honest, as much as I love being in the classroom, making decisions about dinner every day? That should be an Olympic sport for teachers. After you’ve given your energy to two dozen kids, those little choices start feeling like mountains. So, I let AI do it for me. And that’s not just a shameless plug—it honestly changed my evenings.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

The beauty is, you just pop in your favorites—spaghetti, roasted veggies, all that, and these apps spit back recipes, groceries, and sometimes even nutrition info custom to what’s on sale. I’ve saved money, saved brain space, and I’m spending more time, you know, just being present with Vern instead of frantically Googling “easy teacher dinners.” Is it perfect? No. Sometimes my shopping cart looks wild, and I still burn toast more than I’d like, but hey—progress, not perfection.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

But tech doesn’t end there—if you’re looking for ways to support your mental health or professional growth, try using apps for journaling, mindfulness, organizing your lesson plans, or even tracking student engagement. Let your phone or tablet handle the details, so your energy goes into inspiration, not exhaustion. Or, set up a peer check-in group chat—those little support circles can make a huge difference on a tough day.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Oh—and get yourself into some local community events, volunteer if you can, or just find little moments to collaborate with colleagues outside regular meetings. It’s amazing what a difference it makes when you don’t feel like you’re going it alone, especially when everyone’s pushing toward the same goals. Maybe next episode we’ll dig deeper into how tech can streamline parent communication or PD, but for now—remember you deserve ease. Let tech take a bit off your plate—literally and figuratively!

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Alright, before I wrap up and go hunt down the world’s best leftovers—I just want to encourage each of you, whether you’re in the classroom or supporting from home, to set a small, doable goal for the coming weeks. Maybe it’s a new cooperative learning routine you want to try, or just a weekly wellness check-in for yourself or your team. No need for perfect, no need for big. Just start somewhere.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

And remember, reflect as you go. If journaling’s your thing, or a quick chat with a trusted colleague, carve out that time to look back and ask: What worked? Where did I wobble? Don’t be afraid to adjust—nobody’s got this all figured out, certainly not me! I mean, half the time I look back on my own goals and laugh, but it means I’m growing, right?

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Oh—one last thing! If you’re feeling like you need more inspiration or just a boost of community, join a professional learning community or sign up for one of those online workshops—there’s so much out there! Sharing resources, stories, even just trading memes can remind you that you’re not on an island. We’re all figuring out this year, together.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Thank you for hanging out on Chalkboard Chatter today. If something spoke to you, please like, share, comment, or subscribe. Tell a friend, drop your first week wins or woes below, let’s get this conversation rolling. I truly believe this is more than just a podcast—it’s a revolution of hope and hard work. Let’s keep lifting each other up, celebrating every single win, and making sure every child in our orbit feels seen, valued, and ready to thrive. Lead with love, learn with intention, and live with purpose. I’ll see y’all next time!