A Grateful Heart, A Full House: Thanksgiving With Chalkboard Chatter

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Welcome back to another episode of Chalkboard Chatter. I’m so grateful to have you listening today, and I truly appreciate every person who takes time out of their day to spend a few moments with us. If you haven’t already, make sure to like, share, comment, and subscribe so you can stay connected to everything we’re building here. Your engagement means so much, and it helps this podcast reach more teachers, parents, families, and lifelong learners everywhere. With Thanksgiving weekend upon us, I’ve taken a step back to reflect on all the blessings in my life.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

This past year has been one of the most meaningful seasons I’ve experienced. One of the biggest joys for me has been having all three of my sons attend Michigan State University at the same time. Seeing them on the same campus, moving through life during the same chapter of their journeys, fills me with pride and gratitude. Each of them is pursuing their own goals, but they are doing it side by side, with a shared Spartan experience that I know will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Another extraordinary blessing this year has been my marriage to my soulmate, Vern. Many of you who follow the show know that we were married twice this year: once in a beautiful and intimate legal ceremony on Valentine’s Day, and then again in August in Livonia, Michigan surrounded by our friends and family.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Both ceremonies carried their own special meaning, symbolizing not only our union but the journey that brought us to one another. What makes our story so profound is the number of parallels in our lives long before we met. Vern is the youngest of three boys, and I am the youngest of three girls. We both experienced the heartbreak of losing our middle siblings. We each raised four children who are now grown: Vern raised three girls and one boy, and I raised three boys and one girl. Even our divorces were finalized just days apart years ago, before we ever crossed paths.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

The symmetry in our experiences is something we did not plan and could never have predicted. Even our first communication happened during remarkably similar circumstances. I was at a basketball event with my boys in Lansing, Michigan, for family weekend with my ex-husband, and Vern was at a basketball event with his girls in Providence, Rhode Island, spending family weekend together with his ex-wife. We were in different cities, living different lives, yet we were experiencing parallel moments simultaneously. Before we officially met, we both consulted with our former spouses out of mutual respect. The intentionality and openness in that moment set the tone for everything that followed.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

This year, with all its blessings, has reminded me how deeply God weaves our stories long before we can see the full picture. Vern and I are connected spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and morally. Our union is something I thank God for each and every day, and as we celebrate Thanksgiving, that gratitude is at the forefront of my heart. I am grateful for love, for alignment, for family, and for the blessings that continue to unfold. Let’s continue the spirit of gratitude as we move into Chapter Two, where a certain classroom guest joined us for the holiday.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Thanksgiving in our house has an unexpected guest this year: the classroom gecko. Bringing the gecko home for the holiday break added a unique element to the start of Thanksgiving week. The quiet presence of this little creature in the home is a reminder of the many roles educators play, not only caring for students but sometimes caring for classroom pets as well. When I brought the gecko home, I set it up safely in its terrarium, ensuring that everything was secure and properly arranged for the days ahead. Of course, whenever a household already includes a pet like our dog, Lucy, there is always a small measure of caution. Lucy is energetic and curious by nature, so I’ve taken careful steps to make sure the terrarium is positioned in a safe, stable place where she cannot disturb it. While Lucy doesn’t fully understand what has been added to her environment, she has noticed that something new is present, as dogs tend to do. The safety of the gecko is the priority, and I am mindful of maintaining calm and separation between the two. Bringing the gecko home during Thanksgiving offers a gentle reminder of the layered responsibilities educators carry. We teach. We organize. We plan. And sometimes we manage heat lamps and terrariums during the holiday season. Even though the gecko isn’t a major part of the festivities, its presence adds an interesting rhythm to the household. It symbolizes the way teachers bring parts of the classroom with them, even when the school doors close for a few days. This season is about gratitude, and I am grateful for the peacefulness of the gecko’s presence. I am grateful for the ability to give it proper care during the break. And I am grateful for the small reminder that life’s blessings come in many forms, even in the form of a tiny reptile spending Thanksgiving in our home. Now that we’ve introduced our unexpected holiday guest, let’s shift from creatures and classrooms to creativity and innovation. In Chapter Three, I’m excited to share what’s coming next for Chalkboard Chatter as a company, especially our plans for 2026.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

This year has offered tremendous momentum for Chalkboard Chatter as a company, and Thanksgiving presents the perfect moment to reflect on that growth and look forward to what’s ahead. As President and CEO, I am incredibly proud of the work our team has been doing behind the scenes. Even as the holiday season approaches and many industries begin winding down, our creative and development cycles are very much in motion. We are already building our 2026 production calendar, which is shaping up to be one of our most ambitious and innovative years yet. Our focus remains on creating high-quality, effective, and engaging curriculum tools for educators and students nationwide. To achieve this, we have been collaborating with a talented team of software engineers who deeply understand the intersection of education, technology, and real-world application. One of the exciting areas we are developing is a new suite of financial literacy products. Financial literacy is a critical life skill, and students today need to understand money management far earlier than previous generations. The world is digital. Banking is digital. Spending is digital. Many financial decisions occur on smartphones long before students reach adulthood. Our upcoming financial literacy modules are being designed to meet this reality. They will be interactive, relevant, and aligned with what students are actually experiencing in their daily lives. Though I cannot reveal the full details yet, I can share that these products are intended to be accessible for diverse classrooms and adaptable for teachers who are balancing limited time and heavy workloads. We understand the challenges educators face. Every product we create aims to support them by reducing complexity rather than adding to it. Beyond financial literacy, our 2026 plans include enhancements to existing learning categories, new AI-powered tools, and expanded support for both in-person and remote instruction environments. We want to ensure teachers have the flexibility to use our products wherever learning is taking place. I am grateful for the support of our listeners, the trust of educators across the country, and the dedication of our development team. Being able to build something meaningful for the next generation truly feels like a blessing. Now that we’ve explored the future of education, let’s turn to something much more immediate and delicious. Chapter Four is all about what’s cooking in the Thanksgiving kitchen.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Thanksgiving’s warmth often starts in the kitchen, and this year our holiday menu brings together both tradition and comfort. While I talk about my crockpot often and appreciate the convenience it provides, Thanksgiving is the day when the oven takes center stage. This year, we are preparing a Butterball turkey for the celebration. The process of seasoning it, buttering it, and preparing it for roasting is a ritual that feels both familiar and meaningful. Before we talk about the meal itself, I want to acknowledge Roperti’s Turkey Farm in Livonia, Michigan. This family-owned farm has been part of the community’s Thanksgiving tradition for decades. Driving down Five Mile Road and seeing the turkeys has always brought a smile to my face. It’s a reminder of the importance of local agriculture and the families who sustain these traditions year after year. Our Thanksgiving spread includes a beautifully roasted Butterball turkey, a honey ham that adds a sweet and savory complement to the table, and of course, the return of our crockpot collard greens with turkey tails. This dish has become a favorite in our household and has made appearances in previous holidays. The slow-cooked flavors blend beautifully, creating a dish that pairs perfectly with the rest of the menu. We will also be preparing traditional sides that bring familiarity to the table: stuffing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and bread rolls. Each dish holds its own meaning, and together they create a meal that brings family together around the table. The preparation of a Thanksgiving meal is more than just cooking. It is an expression of gratitude and a way of honoring the people gathered. It is a chance to pause, share stories, and nourish both the body and the spirit. With the meal prepared and the house full of warmth, there is one more Thanksgiving tradition that brings everyone together after dinner. For us, that means it is time for football, which brings us into Chapter Five.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

In our household, Thanksgiving afternoon naturally transitions into football time. With food prepared, plates enjoyed, and the kitchen settling down, the living room becomes the center of attention. This year, we will be tuning in as the Green Bay Packers take the field against my Lions. The game carries meaningful implications for the postseason, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the holiday. Football is part of the rhythm of Thanksgiving for many families across the country, and ours is no different. It creates a shared moment of entertainment and conversation. Watching the game together allows us to unwind, reflect on the day, and enjoy being in one another’s company. Football also has a special place in our home because my husband Vern is currently preparing the second edition of his book titled The Asterisk, A Fan’s Grievance On Cheating And Rule Manipulation In The NFL. His work on this updated edition has been thoughtful, detailed, and deeply passionate. He recently completed the outline, and I am looking forward to reading the full manuscript when it is finished. The topics he is addressing in this second edition reflect significant developments in professional football. While I won’t speak for him, I can say that the themes he shared with me are insightful and timely. When he returns to the podcast to discuss the book, listeners can expect a conversation filled with transparency, analysis, and perspective. As we settle into the rest of our Thanksgiving day, football provides a backdrop to reflect on the blessings of the past year. It has been a season marked by growth, love, alignment, family milestones, and professional accomplishments. And so, as this special Thanksgiving episode comes to a close, I hope that each of you finds joy in your own traditions, whether they involve food, family, rest, or football. I am grateful for every listener, and I appreciate the community we are building together. May your Thanksgiving be full of warmth, gratitude, and peace.