Wow, we’re here! How did we get here?
Well, after many cups of coffee, late-night brainstorming sessions, and countless laughs (and maybe a few tears), we’ve finally done it! Our dream of writing a children’s book is now a reality. And honestly, it feels just as surreal as it does exciting!
About Chantal and me, when we first started working together in 2023, we had no idea how much our personalities would click. It was one of those moments where you just know you’ve met someone who gets you. You know how some people are soulmates? Well, that’s us. We’re like a match made in teaching heaven, but instead of candlelit dinners, it’s endless phone calls full of laughter, chats about everything under the sun, and so many “A-ha!” moments where we wondered, “Why haven’t we done this sooner?”
As different as we are, we’re also so alike in the ways that matter. I, 27 at the time, welcoming my first baby into the world, and Chantal, a seasoned pro with six kids already, yet somehow, we found that we’re on the same wavelength when it comes to our love for teaching and our belief in the powerful little souls of the children we work with. Chantal brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked with children for years, and it shows in everything she does. She’s so in tune with them, making everyone feel heard and empowered. As for me, over my 7 years of ECT teaching, I’ve always valued my connections with the children I teach—respecting their individuality, sharing funny moments, and tackling the tougher topics when needed. We both learn from each other every day, and that’s why I think our project just works! Then there’s the magic of being in the classroom with kids, right? The moments when they say something so hilariously unexpected that we have to look at each other, trying desperately not to laugh. Oh, the struggle! But equally, there are those other moments when you look at each other, trying not to tear up because the sad reality is that these little people sometimes go through things you wish they didn’t. But with every situation we listen, we learn, and we teach better. We knew we had to make sure the children’s voices were heard and know that their voice matters.
Some tough statistics according to the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (2023)see: https://www.acms.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
1 in 4 children (approximately 28.5% of Australians) have experienced some form of child sexual abuse before the age of 18.
Realising how much kids have to process from such a young age, we felt that we had to help them understand how important their voices truly are. So, we created an ongoing project right in our classroom—My Voice Matters—with a focus on mindfulness. The discussions we had with our little friends were heartwarming, funny, and sometimes even eye-opening. Through that space, we all learned to value each other’s thoughts and feelings, creating a classroom environment where everyone felt heard. A safe space for us all. It was during this time that we noticed something: it was hard to find resources that were both insightful and accessible for our younger students, particularly when it came to heavy topics like boundaries, safety, and self-advocacy. And that’s when the light bulb went off. We knew that we needed to create something that would teach children in a way that was both friendly and meaningful, and also be something we could use in the classroom. With a lot of heart, soul, and passion, we dove into creating this book. It’s not just a project; it’s a reflection of everything we’ve learned from the kids, the families, and from each other. It’s our way of giving kids the tools to understand that their voices are powerful and that speaking up is important. So, here’s to endless phone calls full of laughter, chats, venting about the highs and lows of teaching, and those moments when we look at each other and try desperately not to laugh…or cry. Here’s to a shared vision and a book that we truly hope will help even just one child realize that their voice matters. We hope you enjoy this book as much as we enjoyed creating it. With love and gratitude, Steph and Chantal
My voice matters 