Parent Teacher Interview

What makes a teacher unforgettable?

In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, Josh sits down with Deputy Principal Ethan Ford from Melbourne to explore the moments that truly shape a child's experience at school.
Drawing on years of classroom teaching and school leadership, Ethan shares why genuine relationships are at the heart of great education. From greeting students at the classroom door to understanding the story behind challenging behaviour, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the little things teachers do every day often leave the biggest impression.
Together, Josh and Ethan discuss the importance of consistency, creating a sense of belonging, supporting student wellbeing, and why being fully present for the children in front of us is one of the greatest gifts an educator can give.
Whether you're a teacher, school leader, pre-service teacher or parent, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt reminders about the lasting impact we can have on the lives of young people.

In this episode, we discuss:
Ethan's journey into primary school teaching and school leadership.
Why relationships are the foundation of effective teaching.
The importance of being present and creating positive daily interactions with students.
Understanding behaviour through curiosity rather than judgement.
Supporting children from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Why consistency helps children feel safe and ready to learn.
The role of male teachers in primary education.
Balancing student wellbeing with academic learning.
Lessons from parenthood that have shaped Ethan's leadership and teaching.
Advice for graduate teachers entering the profession.
Why the smallest moments can have the biggest impact on a child's life.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider following Parent Teacher Interview, leaving a rating or review, and sharing the episode with a colleague, friend or fellow parent.

Follow the podcast on Instagram:
📱 @parent_teacher_interview_pod

Music Credits:
Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

In this deeply personal episode, Josh and Hannah sit down late at night in their tiny apartment in Japan to talk honestly about the real reason their family moved overseas for a year.

What started as an opportunity to teach abroad slowly became something much bigger — a response to burnout, mental exhaustion, and the growing realisation that something needed to change.

Together they unpack:
what burnout actually looked like behind closed doors,
the emotional weight of making a huge decision for a young family,
parenting children through uncertainty and homesickness,
the realities of starting again in another country,
and why they still believe the experience has been worth it.
This episode is not about teaching being uniquely difficult, nor is it an attempt to romanticise moving overseas as the answer to burnout. It’s simply an honest conversation about mental health, family, vulnerability, and what can happen when people choose to support each other through a hard season of life.

There are moments in this episode that feel heavy, reflective, funny, hopeful and raw — which probably makes it one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast so far.

If this episode resonates with you, we’d love for you to share it with someone else who might need it.

Music Credits:Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

Follow PTIP on Instagram: @parent_teacher_interview_pod

In this powerful first episode, we sit down with Understanding Zoe co-founder Laetitia Andrac to explore her late diagnosis of ADHD and autism—and the moment everything finally clicked.
Laetitia shares her personal journey of growing up feeling different, navigating life without answers, and the profound clarity that came with diagnosis later in life. This conversation unpacks identity, self-understanding, and what it really means to view neurodivergence through a strengths-based lens.
We also dive into the concept of autism acceptance—and why it matters so deeply for mental health. Research highlights that a lack of acceptance is strongly linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress for autistic individuals, while self-acceptance and community connection can act as protective factors.

🔑 In this episode, we cover:
The experience of a late ADHD and autism diagnosis
Why so many people—especially women—are missed early
The emotional impact of finally understanding yourself
The shift from deficit thinking to neurodiversity
The importance of identity, language, and self-acceptance
📚 Resources & Links:
Understanding Zoe White Paper (1,091 Australian families):
https://understandingzoe.com/white-paper
Research reference: Autism Acceptance and Mental Health
🎵 Music Credits:
Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

In Part 2, we zoom out from personal experience to the broader ecosystem around neurodivergent children. Laetitia shares insights from her work with Understanding Zoe and what over 1,000 families have revealed about the realities of raising and supporting neurodivergent kids.
We take a deeper look at the Understanding Zoe platform itself—a tool designed to help families better understand their child’s unique profile, bridge the gap between home and school, and provide practical, personalised strategies grounded in real data from families. It’s about moving beyond labels and toward meaningful, day-to-day support.
This episode is all about community—what it looks like, why it matters, and how we build it.
We also unpack some of the key ideas and resources Laetitia references throughout the episode—helping to reframe how we think about behaviour, connection, and support for neurodivergent children in a way that feels both practical and achievable for families.
We explore the idea that challenges often don’t come from the child themselves, but from a mismatch between the child and their environment. This aligns with the social model of disability, which suggests that greater understanding, flexibility, and acceptance in society can significantly improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.

In this episode, we cover:
Key findings from Understanding Zoe’s research with families
How the Understanding Zoe platform supports families and schools
Why support systems—not just strategies—are critical
The role of schools, parents, and community in shaping outcomes
Influential ideas and resources for supporting neurodivergent children
The “double empathy problem” and mutual understanding
Practical ways to better support neurodivergent children

Resources & Links:
Understanding Zoe White Paper:
https://understandingzoe.com/white-paper
The Rainbow Brain by Sandhya Menon
The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon
Research reference: Autism Acceptance and Mental Health
Understanding Zoe - https://understandingzoe.com/
Understanding Zoe Instagram (@understanding.zoe)

Music Credits:
Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)

In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, I sit down with Emma from Preparing Minds to explore what really sits underneath student learning.
Emma is a former science teacher who now works with students and families to build stronger study habits, confidence, and independence. Her work focuses on helping young people understand why they think and act the way they do—and how small shifts in mindset can make a big difference.
We cover learners from later primary through to high school and university, with a strong focus on values, self-belief, and becoming more self-directed.

🔑 Key Topics We Discuss
Emma’s journey from science teacher to working with students and families through Preparing Minds
Why values are such a powerful tool in shaping decision-making
How low self-belief shows up in students (and what to do about it)
The real reasons students avoid homework and challenging tasks
Helping students become more independent, self-directed learners
The impact of distractions and how to build better focus
Supporting students through transitions (primary → high school → beyond)
The importance of relationships, both in classrooms and at home

💡 Key Takeaways
Asking “why?” is often the most powerful starting point for understanding behaviour
Avoidance is often linked to discomfort, not ability
Building self-belief takes time, reflection, and the right support
Students benefit from having clear values to guide their decisions
Independence isn’t automatic—it needs to be modelled and developed over time

📚 Resources & Mentions
Indistractable by Nir Eyal (book on focus and managing distraction)

🔗 Connect with Emma & Preparing Minds
Website: Preparing Minds: https://preparingminds.com.au/
Instagram: preparing_minds