Janelle Eddy has spent over 30 years in classrooms, from her first teaching post in the UK, to remote mining towns in the Pilbara, and she's discovered something wonderful: the best learning happens when you follow where a child's curiosity leads. On this episode of Little People, Big Lessons;  Janelle explains how she's seen countless education trends come and go, but one truth remains constant: when children feel genuinely seen and heard, when they're given space to explore and teach you what fascinates them, that's when the magic happens. 

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Marita Putland didn't become a teacher until she was 40 and she's learned that sometimes arriving late to your calling means you bring exactly what's needed. From primary schools to the justice system, she's taught in settings that shaped her understanding of what students truly need. Now, she brings the wisdom of a mother, grandmother, and experienced educator to families navigating recovery. Marita shares why sometimes a student just needs someone to listen, how she creates space for both children and parents to feel heard, and why being custom-made for each family isn't just nice, it's essential.

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Sherrie and Teneille McBain have been navigating the aftermath of a leukaemia diagnosis since Teneille was one year old. Now 17, their journey reveals truths most people never consider: treatment ends, but the educational impacts don't. Getting diagnoses for "late effects" proved nearly impossible. Finding the right school environment took years. In this raw, honest conversation, mother and daughter share what they wish others understood about life after childhood cancer, the gaps in the system that still need filling, and why "normal" becomes the hardest thing to achieve.

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“Connection before content, every single time”, are words Stuart Shields lives by. Stuart spent over 20 years in classrooms before burning out completely. The system that measured success through test scores felt increasingly at odds with what students actually needed. Then came an unexpected invitation to work with kids affected by cancer, not as a tutor, but as something more. Stuart talks honestly about his journey from disillusionment to purpose, why he builds mock murder scenes to teach math, and what these incredible kids have taught him about what education should actually look like. 

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Brooke Phillips thought she understood what children needed after cancer, until she watched future colleague and friend, Caroline, work in her classroom. What she witnessed changed everything. As a teacher, she saw firsthand how a dedicated advocate transformed not just one student's academic performance, but his entire sense of self. Now working as an advocate herself, Brooke shares what it's like to stand on both sides of that relationship, the humbling lessons she's learned from the families she serves, and why the best support often looks nothing like what you'd expect. 

This episode is proudly supported by Alike WS

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Kylie Dalton, CEO & Founder and Louise Shedden, Program Manager & Co-Founder, witnessed a devastating pattern, when childhood cancer treatment ended, the educational support vanished. But the cognitive effects, learning gaps, and emotional trauma remained. In this premiere episode, Kylie and Louise share the raw story of building Back on Track Foundation from the ground up. They reveal the families who taught them what was truly needed, and why survivors don't just need academic catch-up, they need someone to see the whole picture.

What emerged is a wrap-around program offering educational advocacy, individualised educational support, mentoring, advocacy, emotional support, and family guidance. It's a blueprint that puts the child and family at the centre, and proves that survivors deserve more than just catching up, they deserve to thrive.
 

This episode is proudly supported by Alike WA 

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Welcome to Little People, Big Lessons! This season, we're shifting the spotlight to the extraordinary people behind the Back on Track program - the educators, mentors, founders, and advocates who dedicate their lives to empowering childhood cancer survivors and their families. Hosted by Cassie Silver, join us as we celebrate the champions of hope who make recovery and resilience possible. Powered by Back on Track Foundation and proudly supported by Alike. Subscribe now and be inspired by the leaders changing lives, one lesson at a time.

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When 11-year-old Levi was diagnosed with rare and aggressive T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, his mum Vee faced a choice: live in fear or choose life. On this episode of Little People, Big Dreams, hear how one family's decision to say "yes" instead of "no" transformed their cancer journey. Discover the dramatic lifestyle changes that helped Levi's recovery, the heartbreak of losing friendships, and how "chemo fog" derailed his education but not his dreams. This is a story about dancing with death, finding your people, and why sometimes the best path forward isn't the one the system expects you to take. Join us for an honest conversation about childhood cancer, family resilience, and the power of aligning with hope when everything feels impossible.

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In our upcoming episode, we are honoured to share the powerful story of Katie and her brave son, Finlay Higgs. Diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk Hepatoblastoma at just 18 months old, Finlay has faced unimaginable challenges, including 11 rounds of intensive chemotherapy, nine surgeries, and multiple stays in intensive care. Despite enduring over 80 doses of chemo and countless scans and transfusions, Finlay remains a beacon of strength, earning the title of his parents' “fair-haired hero.” Join us as Katie and Finlay take us through their harrowing journey, revealing the courage, resilience, and love that have carried them through. This is a story of a little boy’s incredible fight and the unwavering support of his devoted mum.

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Join us in our next episode as we delve into the extraordinary journey of Marley Brown. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just 15 months old, Marley faced numerous challenges that impacted his early development. Despite these obstacles, Marley has never lost sight of his dreams. Now with the invaluable support of the Back on Track program, Marley is on a path to becoming a theoretical physicist or astrophysicist. Discover how this remarkable program is empowering Marley with the resources he needs to excel in the classroom and reach for the stars. This is a story of hope, resilience, and the boundless potential of a young survivor.

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