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 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)

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Music Credits:

• Ember – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)
• Green Leaf – The Lakes (via Uppbeat)