Next-door neighbors: A mother-daughter teaching story

FALLBROOK – This school year at William H. Frazier Elementary has brought a unique twist for first-grade teachers Katy Tomlinson and Sarah Tomlinson. After teaching second grade in Alabama, Sarah returned home and stepped into a first-grade teaching role after a colleague went on leave, taking over a classroom – right next door to her mom.

The timing worked out perfectly, and the duo quickly adjusted to being classroom neighbors. "Being neighbors and teammates is fun, because I can stick my head into her class or vice versa to ask a quick question or request something I need," Katy said. Their...