This week, I’m joined by the incredible Alisha Wood, high school teacher, teen wellbeing advocate, and founder of Mentoring Young Minds, a Sydney-based tutoring and mentoring company that’s redefining what support for young people looks like.

I loved this chat because Alisha’s mission aligns so strongly with mine: to remind both parents and teens that marks don’t define you, and that when a child feels seen, safe, and supported, anything is possible.

We talk about what led Alisha to start Mentoring Young Minds, how she balances academic tutoring with wellbeing support, and what she’s learned from mentoring students who’ve struggled with school refusal, anxiety, and self-doubt.

You’ll also hear about her Head Start to High School program, designed to help kids transition smoothly from Year 6 to Year 7, especially those who are neurodivergent or find big changes overwhelming.

This conversation is full of warmth, honesty, and hope — and it’s a beautiful reminder that success doesn’t have just one path.

• The teachers who inspired Alisha to become an educator.
• How COVID revealed the gaps in student wellbeing support.
• What it looks like to truly meet kids where they’re at.
• Why wellbeing should always come before academics.
• The real story behind Mentoring Young Minds’ approach.
• How to help your child navigate school transitions with confidence.
• Why ATARs don’t define your child’s future — or their worth.

mentoringyoungminds.com.au

Instagram: @mentoring.young.minds

Follow @melwhiteparentcoach on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for more conversations that help parents and teens truly understand each other.

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