In this episode, Jenn and Jess share their inspiring journey from classroom collaboration to creating MyComms, an innovative app designed to support visual communication across diverse settings. Discover how their deep experience in education and therapy inspired a tool that promotes inclusivity, personalisation, and everyday accessibility for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Key Topics:

• The impact of interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting students with complex communication needs
• How visual supports enhance independence and reduce anxiety
• The origins of MyComms and the need for personalised, accessible visual supports
• Overview of MyComms features: task breakdowns, daily schedules, and choice boards
• Real stories of how MyComms has helped children, adults, families, and professionals

Links

• MyComms App — Apple App Store (search "MyComms")
• MyComms App — Google Play Store
• commspec.co — Official website with blogs and resources
• Supporting Executive Functioning Resources — Free tools and info

Music for this episode is provided by Uppbeat, featuring tracks "Ember" and "Green Leaf" by The Lakes.

Note: MyComms is currently available in Australia, with plans to expand globally very soon. Stay tuned for new features and updates by following their work and upcoming presentations!

In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, Yasmin Bastouil shares her journey from junior primary teacher to children’s book author, revealing how classroom chaos, empathy, and her own family inspired her stories.

Yasmin opens up about her early love of teaching, her time educating young children in France, and how those experiences guided her into writing books that centre on emotional intelligence and celebrating differences. She talks candidly about imposter syndrome, the challenges of self-publishing, and the powerful moment she realised her stories were impacting kids — including her own.

From laugh-out-loud classroom moments to heartfelt reflections on supporting children’s emotional development, this conversation is full of insight for teachers, parents, and anyone interested in children’s literature.

📚 Books by Yasmin Bastouil

(Great to link for listeners who want to explore the books discussed in the episode.)

• A Superpower Called Empathy - A heart-centred picture book about understanding emotions and embracing empathy.
  

• We’re Getting a New Baby - A lovely story about welcoming a new sibling and the emotions around that life change.
  

• Who Likes the Zoo? - A humorous classroom tale of show-and-tell chaos and celebrating community.

  
  

  📘 Available on Yasmin’s website: ⁠https://www.the-playground-diaries.com.au/⁠ — featured among her titles. ⁠The Playground Diaries⁠
  

🔗 About Yasmin Bastouil

• Author & Teacher — The Playground Diaries Website: https://www.the-playground-diaries.com.au/ — Yasmin is a South Australian junior primary teacher, mum of two and children’s book author whose stories focus on empathy, emotional literacy and connection. The Playground Diaries

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.playground.diaries/ — Follow Yasmin for classroom insights, writing updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

In this episode, Daniel Marshall shares his journey from an engineering career to becoming a financial coach. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to discover personal finance and investing, and emphasises how our mindset and language around money can shape lifelong habits.

Daniel offers practical insights for parents on how to instil strong financial values in their children — from encouraging problem-solving to finding the right balance between chores and earning money. He highlights the role parents play in modelling generosity, gratitude and financial responsibility, and explores how open conversations about household finances can empower kids to build confidence and independence.

This episode is full of practical takeaways for families wanting to strengthen their financial foundations and create a healthier relationship with money.

🎧 Learn more about Daniel Marshall:

• Website: https://danielmarshall.com.au

• Podcast: Money Mastery with Marshy

• Newsletter: The Weekly Marshall

✨ Don’t forget to follow Parent Teacher Interview wherever you listen to podcasts, and check out our Instagram @parent_teacher_interview_pod for more conversations and behind-the-scenes moments.

In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, Joshua chats with Anna O’Connor — a passionate kindergarten teacher, mum of two, and one half of the creative duo behind SoundSlam.

Anna shares how phonological awareness forms the foundation for early reading success and how she and her co-creator, Lucy, designed SoundSlam to make learning fun, engaging, and screen-free.

Together, they explore practical ways parents and educators can build literacy skills through everyday moments, the power of play in learning, and the story behind developing an educational game that’s already making an impact in classrooms and homes.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

SoundSlam

• 🌐 soundslam.com.au

• 📸 Instagram: @SoundSlamAU

Websites & Reading Resources

• Five from Five — Created by Dr. Jennifer Buckingham, focusing on the five pillars of reading.

• Reading Rockets — A U.S.-based resource offering practical tools and articles for parents and teachers.

Books & Authors

• Reading for Life by Lyn Stone

• Language at the Speed of Sight by Mark Seidenberg

• Research and work by Dr. Pam Snow and Dr. Jennifer Buckingham

Podcast

• 🎙️ Sold a Story by Emily Hanford — A deep dive into the science of reading and how children learn to read.

🎒 Ready to ace the parent-teacher interview? Dive into our latest episode where we unravel the mysteries of school meetings with a sprinkle of humor! From decoding teacher lingo to avoiding the classic "Karen" pitfalls, we've got the tips to make you the MVP of the classroom. Whether you're prepping for NASA-level discussions or just trying to remember your kid's teacher's name, this episode is your cheat sheet to success. Tune in, laugh a little, and let's make those school meetings a breeze! #ParentingWins #SchoolLife

Title Music and Sound Effects - Sourced from Uppbeat - https://uppbeat.io/

Find Parent Teacher Interview on Instagram @parent_teacher_interview

Get ready to chuckle as we dive into the whimsical world of parental sleep sacrifices! Ever found yourself frozen like a statue, hoping not to wake the baby? You're not alone! Join us for a lighthearted look at the hilarious lengths parents go to for a few extra Z's. From mastering the art of the stealthy escape to pondering if street performers have secret parenting skills, this episode is a fun-filled exploration of sleep-deprived parenting. Tune in for laughs, relatable tales, and a reminder that you're not alone in this sleepy adventure!

Key Highlights:

*The art of remaining motionless to keep the baby asleep. *Hilarious stories of sleep-deprived parenting.

*The balancing act of nurturing young minds.

*Why parents might have a future in street performance.

In this open and deeply honest episode, Lauren Lores shares her journey through some of life’s biggest shifts — from becoming a mother and navigating changing identity, to facing a breast cancer diagnosis and choosing to go flat.

Lauren talks about the raw moments, the personal decisions, and the growth that came with it all. She reflects on what it means to embrace imperfection, to let go of old expectations, and to find strength in vulnerability.

As both a parent and educator, she also shares powerful insights into how we can better support kids emotionally and advocate for their needs — at home and in the classroom.

This conversation is real, empowering, and full of heart. Tune in for an inspiring look at how life’s hardest chapters can also bring the deepest connection and clarity.

ABC Compass Episode - https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RN2411H008S00

Cancer Council - https://www.cancersa.org.au/support/

Fame Flexible Learning Centre - https://fame.flexi.edu.au/

In this episode of Teacher Triggers, we dive into the quirky and sometimes challenging dynamics of communication between parents and teachers. Join us as we explore the humorous and relatable moments that arise when messages are sent with hesitation, and how these interactions can lead to unexpected insights and solutions. Discover how a simple pause can foster deeper understanding and resilience, both in the classroom and at home. Tune in for a light-hearted yet thought-provoking discussion on the art of communication in education.

Title Music - Sourced from Uppbeat - https://uppbeat.io/

Find Parent Teacher Interview on Instagram @parent_teacher_interview

Ever been stuck behind the broom or vacuum a lot longer than you had hoped? Or feel as though no matter how much you trail around behind your children with a vacuum that you never seem to get all of it?

Here is another everyday pondering that is associated with being a parent and a thought that I have now pondered on just a little too long!

It is reaching a point now with three small children attending school and day care that I have begun to wonder if the vacuuming, sweeping and mopping will ever end. It seems relentless and at times as though someone has played a cruel joke and collected bags of sand from the beach to dump them in the lounge and dining room. When will it end?!?

Come along for a little listen while we pop this thought bubble and consider what cleaning the floors really looks like in the family home.

Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment and don't forget to share with those family and friends that you think this might resonate with as well!

This episode was written, recorded and produced by Joshua MacWilliams.

Sound effects provided by Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/

Teacher Triggers is a quick and entertaining look at those little things that drive teachers mad. Although they might not say it at the time, there are a number of moments throughout the day that get teachers rolling their eyes, grinding their teeth and taking some deep breathes to make it through the day. No doubt these types of moments happen in all jobs and walks of life but in these episodes we will focus on moments that are a little more unique to educators and the interactions that have with students, colleagues and parents throughout the year.

This episode is about those moments when teachers get asked to be the lunch police. Those interactions where parents feel their child hasn't eaten enough from their lunchbox and it becomes the teachers responsibility to make sure nothing is left in the lunchbox by the end of the day. This 100% is a teacher trigger and hopefully this episode might outline just why.

Music and sound effects for this episode were sourced from UppBeat.

https://uppbeat.io/