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The Unteachables Podcast (Claire English)

Claire.theunteachables@gmail.com
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Pub. DateTitleDuration
02 Oct 2022#01: Humans first, teachers second. Navigating all of the human moments in the classroom.00:27:19

We are humans… who also happen to be teachers… responsible for 30 other humans… That leaves a LOT of room for ‘human moments’ in our day to day work. In today’s inaugural episode,  I am going to dig into some very human moments of my own recently in the classroom, hear from some of you about yours, and of course, give you a few little nuggets of teaching know-how to take away. 

This episode covers:

  • A very big human announcement!
  • Our different phases and seasons of teaching and why we need to honour all of them
  • Giving ourselves grace as educators and embracing our ‘real life self’ 
  • What is the window of tolerance and why does this matter for us and our students
  • Strategies for teacher regulation 
  • Our teaching identity vs our real world identity


Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20 - https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables - https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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19 Sep 2022Coming Soon Teaser: The Unteachables Podcast00:01:12

Coming Sunday October 2nd: The Unteachables Podcast!

Welcome to The Unteachables Podcast, where your host Claire English is NO stranger to challenging classroom behaviour. And if you’ve found your way here, it’s likely you aren’t either. Teaching the Unteachables is a podcast that is dedicated to making you feel a hell of a lot less alone in these struggles, whilst giving you the knowledge, support and strategies you need to not only survive the chaos, but truly thrive in teaching.


Each week, Claire gets real on some tough teaching topics, explores student behaviour, interviews real teachers, with real human classroom moments, and has plenty of laughs along the way. Think about it as getting a dose of relatable, actionable and enjoyable professional learning straight into your ears. 


So whether you’re in early years, primary or secondary. A beginning teacher, an early career teacher, a teacher in training, a teaching assistant, an experienced teacher, a leader in teaching, a WHATEVER teacher, plug ‘The Unteachables Podcast’ in on your commute to work and let Claire be the ‘down in the trenches’ mentor every single one of you deserve. 


Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching

Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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04 Oct 2022#02: The Teaching Advice That Grinds My Gears (and What to Do Instead).00:31:30

Today I am going to be talking about something that reallllly grinds my gears… when you have a really challenging class, a student who is displaying some really challenging behaviours, you’re at the very bottom of your goodie bag of teaching strategies, you go and seek some support, and the only thing that you seem to get back is something about needing to foster that relationship. Well.. it certainly is the core of our behaviour management approach, BUT, it isn’t the magic bullet. This episode will break it all down and give you some quick wins for starting to break down the toughest of barriers.

  • My issue with the advice of building rapport with students who display challenging behaviour
  • The barriers to building a relationship with some students
  • Attachment theory: Organised and disorganised attachment and the impact on building relationships.
  • The importance of consistency and time - sticking with it!
  • 3 strategies for developing meaningful relationship and rapport with difficult to engage students

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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06 Oct 2022#03: Classroom carnage: How to engage even the most disengaged and challenging classes. A chat with one of my teacher besties!00:47:39

<p>Welcome to Episode 3 of the unteachables podcast! Today one of my best teacher pals Chiara and I dig into some of the top tier memories, biggest struggles, and biggest triumphs of our first years of teaching together. Through our own experiences of our shared chaotic class, we reflect on what it takes to engage the most challenging to engage classes. </p>

<p>This episode is chock full of top tier memories from our first years of teaching, as well as diving into a bunch of different topics:</p>

  • Being a young leader 
  • The debacle of running a whole school event
  • Being innovative and dynamic as a new teacher
  • The pressures of being a new (and) experienced teacher
  • Experiential and hands on learning
  • Risk taking, trying new things, and being free to make mistakes in the classroom
  • Teacher trench foot 
  • Our biggest advice for the most challenging classes

<p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015">Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching</a></p>


<p><a href="https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465">Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20</a></p>


<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/">Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables</a></p>



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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11 Oct 2022#04: Owning your teaching personality. Yes, even as a quiet, awkward or introverted teacher!00:23:51

Why are we always comparing ourselves? It is such a trap that we can all fall into as teachers, especially when we are simultaneously battling with imposter syndrome… If you’re a bit of an introvert, if you’re a bit awkward, if it takes you a while to warm up, if you don’t have the strongest ‘teacher voice’, that is OKAY! This episode will bust any preconceptions around what it takes to really lead a classroom, and teach you how to embrace your teacher personality no matter what type of person you are!


In this episode, I talk about:

  • Why having a quiet or introverted personality can be a super strength with classroom management.
  • My best, most awkward, introverted, lovable friend, who also happens to be the most incredible educator. How SHE transformed her classroom culture.
  • The 3 lessons you can learn from her and the strategies you can implement immediately in your classroom practice!


Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20 - https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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25 Oct 2022#06: Don’t take it personally? The teaching advice that is much easier said than done.00:21:18

I am sure you have heard this being said before, ‘don’t take it personally.. it isn’t about you’...

Well, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of incredibly personal, harsh, nasty student comments, you know that it is something that is so much easier said than done. 

This episode will unpack the truth in the ‘don’t take it personally’ advice, but ALSO give you the much needed knowledge and support to protect your peace and manage these really difficult moments in the classroom. 


In this episode, I talk about:

  • The importance of recognising how HARD it is to not take things personally, and explain why this might be the case.
  • How to create space between the behaviour you’re seeing in front of you, and the reaction, so you are able to respond in a more well considered and impactful way.
  • Strategies to ACTUALLY de-personalise things that feel very personal indeed!
  • How to get curious about behaviour: Not just that of our students, but our own, too!


Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20 - https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/


Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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18 Oct 2022#05: What will it really take to have TRUE teacher wellbeing? A chat with Jodi from The Busy Teachers Club00:56:44

Teacher well-being, or the lack thereof, is absolutely no joke. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves… and teachers are usually people who don’t join the profession on a whim to begin with, I’d say we usually have a pretty solid ‘why’. 

So what is going on here? I have a special guest Jodi also known as @thebusyteachersclub on Instagram, who is in the middle of launching her teacher well-being course, Ditch Burnout and Thrive.

You can head to her Instagram for all of the details, or the following link: www.busyteachersclub.co.uk/ditchburnout

The link to just jump straight in and enrol is: https://www.busyteachersclub.co.uk/offers/HQzxwx8a

In this episode, Jodi and myself have a great chat about:

  • What is driving teachers to burnout? 
  • What does teacher wellbeing really mean? 
  • What would it take to address it in schools? 
  • And whose responsibility is it, really? Is it the schools? Leadership? The individual teacher? 


Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20 - https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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01 Nov 2022#07: The cover lesson survival guide: How to calm the chaos and get through the day in one piece.00:28:43

So many classroom management strategies rely on a foundation of not only relationships and rapport, but solid routines and a whole lot of consistency to be effective. But what if you have absolutely no opportunity to do this because you have either chosen the path of, or are currently in the role of, a casual / supply / substitute teacher (whatever you call it in your patch of the world)! 

I know how incredibly hard it can be teaching one of these lessons, you don’t even know their names! Let alone having the time to really build any kind of meaningful relationship.. That luxury of developing consistent routines? Nope not that either!! 


Now sometimes this is totally fine. Sometimes you might walk into a classroom and the students are really cool, calm and collected and are ready to just crack on with whatever cover work has been left with you. But you and me both know that that is rarely the case.


This episode is your survival guide! It will step you through how to build your skills, and your confidence walking into a classroom of students who don’t know you from a bar of soap, and get through that day in one piece (even maybe have FUN in the process!)


If you want to jump on my Masterclass 'Unlocking Your Teaching Superpower - Non Verbal Classroom Management',  now is the time to do it! Head to https://theunteachables.myshopify.com/products/2030799 for all of the details!

Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20 - https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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08 Nov 2022#08: Low Level Behaviours, Big Level Frustrations! How to start to shift the low level disruptions that are stopping you from getting on with teaching.00:33:03

When I ask teachers what their biggest classroom behaviour challenges are, MOST of the time I will hear….

 

Low. Level. Behaviours. 


*SHUDDER*

 

For SO many teachers, these behaviours sit in this difficult grey area. They are annoying enough to completely derail a lesson, but not quite severe enough to warrant a big response. They are the behaviours that stop the learning, and make you want to chuck in the towel and run screaming out of the lesson!


The calling out, the talking over, the tapping, the funny noises, the disengagement, the coming late and leaving early, the whispers, the chatter, the laugher, the throwing things across the room and talking with friends, the blatant ”no” to your requests. 


This episode takes you through my own journey of learning how to not just address, but mitigate and reduce these behaviours, and guides you to do the same through a few of my top non-verbal classroom management strategies!



Join the masterclass - Unlocking Your Teaching Superpower: Non Verbal Classroom Management! The Masterclass goes LIVE on Sunday November 27th at 9am GMT, with access to the replay for wherever you are in the world!

https://theunteachables.myshopify.com/products/2030799


Add both the masterclass AND That’ll Teach ‘Em to you basket to bundle them together and receive 30% off the total price of enrolment!!



Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20- https://the-unteachables.com/products/1794465


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

Connect with me:


15 Nov 2022#09: The most common teaching mistakes we make with classroom management, and the very quick and easy fixes that can transform behaviour.00:23:27

Mistakes, blunders, slips, errors… all of these are NOT dirty words… ESPECIALLY in teaching. 


In fact, I celebrate mistakes, I encourage mistakes, I welcome the vulnerability of teachers standing there and just doing their thing in the classroom KNOWING that mistakes are a part of the learning process.


When it comes to classroom management in particular, there are some very common patterns in the mistakes that we can make that actually FUEL low-level behaviours with our students.


The good news? These are all really easy to identify, reflect on, and then FIX! This means that if a teacher is open and willing to own up to their blunders, massive amounts of growth can happen, and happen FAST!


In this episode, I go over some of these very common and very simple mistakes you could be making in the classroom, and give you some very real and practical advice on how to quickly and easily develop. 


For anybody who came to the show notes for those reflective questions - here they are!

  • What are the structures and routines I have in place? Can I strengthen these?
  • Do my students know what to expect when they walk in the room?
  • Can I make this lesson more visual?
  • Is this lesson pitched appropriately?
  • Is there anything more ‘hands on’ I can do to get this content across?
  • How could they reach this learning objective through exploration rather than my explicit teacher talk or instruction?
  • Is this conceptually relevant to them and their lives in some way?
  • How can you harness your non-verbal classroom management to mitigate SO MANY of these behaviors from occurring?


Join the masterclass - Unlocking Your Teaching Superpower: Non Verbal Classroom Management! Check out the details and let me support you in your classroom!

Add both the masterclass AND my full comprehensive classroom management course ‘That’ll Teach ‘Em’ to your basket to bundle them together and receive 30% off the total price of enrolment!

Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching 


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables 

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

Connect with me:


22 Nov 2022#10: Cruel to be kind? Striking the balance between addressing behaviours and maintaining relationships00:24:48

I don’t need to sit here and tell you that building a positive relationship with a student is a pretty important part of the work we do. 


I am sure you also know that the students who really need that relationship the most to trust you and learn from you, are also sometimes the ones who display the most challenging behaviours!


This is why it is SUCH a double edged sword, because you will then NEED to address more of their challenging behaviours. And every time you address a challenging behaviour, it can be like one step forward and three steps back in our efforts to build that relationship!


But I say POTENTIALLY because it doesn’t have to be like that, there ARE ways that we can manage behaviours that do strike that very delicate balance, and we NEED to be able to do this to progress with our most vulnerable and challenging students. 


How??  


In this episode, I give you a run down of classroom management that connects and disconnects, and explore the concept of using a students ‘emotional piggy bank’ to be very crafty and conscious of the way we establish and reinforce boundaries and expectations with ALL students!


  • How to make investments in a relationship with even the toughest students
  • How to still hold boundaries and address challenging behaviour without being detrimental to the relationship
  • What is behaviour management that connects and disconnects and how to use it effectively


Join the masterclass - Unlocking Your Teaching Superpower: Non Verbal Classroom Management.

For 20% off enrolment, use the code POD20 or click here


Add both the masterclass AND my full comprehensive classroom management course ‘That’ll Teach ‘Em’ to your basket to bundle them together and receive 25% off the total price of enrolment!



Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching 


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables 

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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29 Nov 2022#11: A teachers survival guide to navigating those tough last weeks of term.00:21:06

Who feels like they are crawwwwwwling to the holidays? That end of year push can feel impossibly exhausting. 


And it’s obvious why it is hard…. We are tired, we are burnt out.


Buttttt as you know, being a teacher is pretty multifaceted, there's a lot of reasons why this time of year feels really tough, after all it's not just us at a computer getting through that last bit of work. It is us, plus 30 other human beings, who are also exhausted and counting down those days.


So in this episode I'll be discussing WHY it is so tough, for us, and our students, as well as giving you some of my top classroom survival tips leading up to the break.


I’ll be talking about:

  • What makes teaching so much harder at the end of the year.
  • What could be escalating the behaviour of our students at the end of the academic year and other school terms.
  • What you can do to keep a settled and productive classroom environment to reduce the low-level behaviours in the lead up to the holidays.
  • How to just get through to the end, even if you’re in survival mode!



Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching


Check out my full training program That’ll Teach ‘Em. Enrol for 20% off with the code PODCAST20


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables 

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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06 Dec 2022#12: The things I would go back and tell my first year teacher self. Tips, encouragement, and home truths.00:22:10

If you could sit across from your first year teacher self, what would you say?


Well this episode is me exploring that very question for myself.


If you’re a teacher in the making or a teacher still early in their career, I hope my reflections over this episode help bring a little validation, support and clarity.


And if you’re an experienced teacher, this episode will be an exercise in reflection, to see just how far you’ve come, to look back and consider what you would say to your teacher self when you were still bright eyed and bushy tailed, and help you to put yourself back in that mindset of how you might be able to support newer teachers you are or will be working with.



IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Doors close to the current That’ll Teach ‘Em behaviour management course on Wednesday 14th December and I am having a ‘GOING OUT SALE’!

Head over now and access the course for the closing down sale! 

If you enrol now at the price of £99, you will be able to access the current course to begin immediately if you choose, BUT you will also automatically secure a space to start in the April intake and be able to access the new version of the course. 

Because it is going to be an offer that is naturally higher touch and support through live sessions and lessons, the price WILL be increasing from what it currently is. So if That’ll Teach ‘Em has been on your mind, then it might be a good time to join now!

Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching 


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables 

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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13 Dec 2022#13: 2022 all wrapped up. What you need to leave behind this year and move towards in 2023.00:24:08

Wow, teachers, 2022 has been a BIG year hasn’t it?! 


But let me ask you something… how do you really feel about it?


Are you measuring yourself backwards and really appreciating how far you have come, OR have you gotten yourself in the habit of measuring yourself forwards to goalposts that are always changing? 


This concept is from the book ‘The Gap and The Gain’ by Dan Sullivan and Dr Benjamin Hardy, and is so useful in helping YOU see how you can transform your idea of success in the classroom in 2023!


Here are your FINDING THE GAINS journal prompts (as promised!)


  • In the past year, what experiences have I had that have made me a better teacher?
  • What do I know now or what can I do now that I didn’t know at the start of the year?
  • What are 3 things that past me would be so proud of if they saw how the year unfolded?
  • What have I done this week that has been a step forward in my teaching?
  • How have I taken the steps to being a stronger teacher this week?
  • What do I know about classroom management now that I didn’t know when I was still at uni?
  • What am I grateful about where I am at in my teaching journey?



Download my free guide “10 Tiny (but mighty) Tips to Transform Your Teaching - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62dc1deb87802ab6bcaf6015


Or simply come and say hello over on Instagram @the.unteachables https://www.instagram.com/the.unteachables/



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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14 Mar 2023#14: A very honest chat about my teaching journey: How burn out, a break, and skipping the country led me to my passion and purpose.00:26:17

Welcome back to season 2 of The Unteachables Podcast - Woooo freaking hoo!

And I am back with a brand new co-host, my 2 month old daughter Ava. Despite me training her up for 9 months, she didn’t contribute much, but I might just let her stick around.

This episode I go through my journey in teaching, from the rapid growth of my first few years from beginning teacher to middle leadership. To burning out, quitting, and skipping the country. To the eventual progression to senior leadership. 

This episode is perfect for anybody who…

  • Wants 3 pieces of advice for anybody who is looking to progress through their career and has any desire to move to roles beyond classroom teaching
  • The importance of your individual ‘why’ and passion in education
  • How getting comfortable with the discomfort shapes you as an educator
  • Is burnt out, wants a break, wants to leave teaching, but their heart is torn

Join the waitlist for the April intake of my classroom management course That’ll Teach ‘Em

Or if you want some more info about the course  

I can't wait to be a bit part of YOUR teaching journey!

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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09 May 2023#21: When students say... NO! What to do, and how to avoid getting too triggered, with Danica from Little Bloom Consultancy01:01:26

On this week’s episode I get to have a chat with the incredible Danica, an educational mentor and consultant and the woman behind Little Bloom Consultancy. Through her work, she helps educators and parents transform how they support children’s behaviour and emotional development. Her work is firmly rooted in the values around teaching and respecting the whole human being, empathy, understanding.

We discuss a wide range of things, including her series on ‘what to do when a child says no’ where she value-bombs the podcast by going through 4 practical steps to approaching challenging behaviour. 

Teachers, you just wait for the mantras that she gives us mid-way, they are absolutely transformative for our mindset and practice in the classroom!

Keep your eyes peeled on Danica’s socials @littlebloom.consultancy - soon she’ll be releasing all of the juicy details about a free masterclass where she’ll be sharing some of the ‘what and why’ behind guidance as well as three strategies you’ll be able to implement straight away. She’ll also be releasing information shortly about a mini-course that takes you step-by-step through bringing guidance to life in your space. 



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

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21 Mar 2023#15: What does a good teacher look like anyway?? A powerful discussion around teacher guilt and wellbeing, and your permission slip to just do your best and forget the rest!01:09:40

DO YOUR BEST, FORGET THE REST!

If you’re looking for a permission slip to truly embrace the teacher you are, then look no further than this amazing interview with Ceri Sandford. This passionate woman behind the powerhouse Wine with teacher club and podcast goes deep with me as we discuss some of the challenges of teaching.

We discuss some commonly shared feelings amongst teachers such as:

  • Am I the only teacher who feels like im winging it all of the time?
  • Am I the only teacher who has cried in front of a class?
  • Am I the only teacher who feels hopeless not knowing how to address all of the individual needs in the classroom?
  • Am I the only teacher who feels like im doing a bad job and i don’t fit in as a teacher?
  • Am I the only teacher who feels like i am not doing a good enough job even though I leave work exhausted every day?

So if you have ever felt one of the above, this episode is sure to make you feel less alone, whilst giving you some solid strategies to help you overcome it.

If you want to know more about Ceri’s work, be sure to head over to her Instagram @ceri.sandford or listen to her amazing podcast - The Wine with Teacher Podcast (there's a cheeky episode with me there if you want to have a listen!)





Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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28 Mar 2023#16: Do you feel like you’re constantly repeating yourself? How to minimise the dreaded question “what are we doing?!”00:21:25

Who relates to finishing explaining a task to students only to have a hand pop up and ask…  ”Sir/Miss, what are we doing?!”


If you had a dollar for every time you had just explained a task and you get a question that if they were really listening, they wouldn’t need to ask in the first place, or that was irrelevant, or that forced you to explain what you had just explained, how many dollars would you have?


If you asked me this in my first year of teaching, I would have had many dollars.

But that amount of money I would have has significantly decreased. Of course I’d still have a few bucks in the jar, but it would be far more empty.


This episode is about just that. What to do to minimise the questions and have a much smoother ride into tasks, get the students working from the get go, get rid of the task confusion, and just be able to crack on with things


I am going to break it up into two types of strategies:

  • Strategies before the task - so in the planning phase
  • Strategies during the task - so in the lesson


All of these things are about being clear and consistent in our practice... one of the many things that helps to mitigate challenging behaviours before they arise. This is why module 5 of my course That’ll Teach ‘Em is so impactful for your practice!



Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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04 Apr 2023#17: Are we just excusing ‘bad behaviour’? What teachers need to know about the ‘why’ behind challenging student behaviour00:19:21

In this episode, I answer the question, “aren’t we just excusing bad behaviour when we look into why it is happening?”

Why bother learning about behaviour? 

Afterall, whatever the reason behind it, it doesn’t change the fact that it IS happening and we need to address it all the same as teachers right? 

So why spend time learning about it?

Doesn’t learning about the why behind behaviour excuse the behaviour in a way? 

No, certainly not. 

In fact, learning more about the why behind the behaviour is incredibly empowering, not just for teachers who are dealing with this behaviour in front of them, but for students as well. 

Listen in as I explore many reasons why knowing the ‘why’ behind the behavior is so crucial for us as teachers and students who display challenging behaviour, including:

  • Increased accountability and buy in for students who are able to reflect more authentically on their behaviours
  • Supporting us to regulate, de-personalise, and surround ourselves with a protective behaviour bubble
  • Giving us the ability as teachers to use strategies we know will have a positive impact and be able to explain why this is the case

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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11 Apr 2023#18: Miss Honey: beloved teacher role model or a misleading representation of the job of teaching?00:16:36

Let’s talk about the fiction vs reality of Matilda’s MISS HONEY! 

She has inspired a generation of teachers. For so many she was actually the reason, the catalyst, the inspiration to get into the job of teaching. 

She was the saving grace to the kids she taught. She was generous, she was compassionate, she protected her students and their wellbeing from the incredibly punitive and nasty principal Ms Trunchbull, who used behaviour management strategies that were physically and psychologically abusive to the students at Crunchem Hall Primary School. 

However, her pedagogy wasn’t on point, because it takes a hell of a lot more than just a smile and taking interest to have a class that is engaged, happy and ‘well-behaved’. 

Challenging classroom behaviour is complex and nuanced, and dealing with it, addressing it, resolving it, reducing it, mitigating it, is also complex and nuanced. 

In this episode, I discuss the ‘Miss Honey Trap’ that leads teachers to believe that relationships are the only classroom management strategy needed, and go over my non-exhaustive list of things that actually go into classroom management on top of the relationships and your values around caring for each child:


  • Classroom environment 
  • Culture setting
  • Planning and preparation
  • Expectations
  • Non verbals
  • Routines
  • Strategies to de-escalate behaviour - low and high level
  • Coregulation / self regulation
  • Relationships with parents
  • Following up on behaviour
  • Understanding behaviour itself


For more information on Approachable vs Credible - Michael Grindrs ENVoY non-verbal language listen to episode 8 - Low Level Behaviours, Big Level Frustrations!



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18 Apr 2023#19: The behaviour management trap that is keeping teachers stuck in survival mode00:15:47

On this week's episode I am going to be talking about the entire narrative around behaviour management that is getting teachers stuck in PURE survival mode. It is a trap!

And what is the trap?

Seeing  behaviour management is solely that. Behaviour management.  Just about responding to and addressing behaviour.

It keeps teachers in a viscous never-ending cycle. Particularly with low level behaviours that can't necessarily be resolved by doing anything about every little frustrating micromoment.

It isn't getting down into those mechanics. It's not asking the right questions because what the hell do we ask anyway. It is seeing resolving behaviour as a reactionary task.

And it is not really doing what we need to do... what we really need to do to effectively manage behaviours is weave classroom management into every single fibre of what we do pedagogically as teachers.

Because, my friends, it is so much more than just the behaviour.

This episode, I am going to be giving you 3 examples of proactively classroom management that will support you to shift some of those challenging behaviours.






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25 Apr 2023#20: How to nail classroom management whilst leaving a legacy of kindness and compassion with every single student. An open house tour of That'll Teach 'Em00:19:00

Are you ready for an open house tour into That'll Teach 'Em?! 

13 years ago I stepped into the classroom with no confidence and no clue.

I was plonked into a chaotic classroom with 30 ‘unmanageable’ and ‘unteachable’ students

And then another, and another, year after year, and I had no option but to learn how to swim. It started with a little doggy paddle, and now I am on a pretty smooth freestyle, but it wasn’t an easy journey.

Now, looking back from the other side, I know how desperately teachers need (and freaking deserve) quality support, training and mentorship. This sink or swim culture in teaching needs to freaking end (imagine just handing a surgeon a scalpel and telling them to cut without them seeing how it's done first?! That’s teaching)

So I took all of my training, incredible mentorship, every single lesson (good and diabolical) and observation, all of the ‘constructive feedback’, my own research, and my years spent developing teams of teachers. All 13 years of it.

Then… I broke it down into an 8 week course that gives you the roadmaps, strategies, knowledge and support to nail classroom management.

And I am officially accepting enrolments into The April intake of That’ll Teach ‘Em (but not for long)

So… if you’re a teacher (or one in the making) and you’re wanting to learn how to mitigate, address and resolve challenging behaviour in a way that leaves a legacy of kindness with every one of your students, then come and join me! 

Say goodbye to... 

✕ Feeling overwhelmed and defeated by challenging behaviours in your class

 ✕ Having no idea what to do next… you’ve tried it all and those behaviours aren’t budging

✕ Feeling that anxious gut feeling going into another tough lesson, already watching that clock wanting it to be over

✕ Feeling disempowered, at the end of your tether, and out of control with your students… 


And hello to... 

✓ Walking into your classroom feeling empowered, skilled and ready to tackle whatever the lesson throws at you

✓ Knowing how to proactively plan and prepare for lessons in ways that mitigates and reduces challenging low-level and all level behaviours

✓ Being excited and re-energised to try new strategies that will not only support students who struggle with behaviour, but foster a calm and productive learning environment for every student

✓ Having the skills to resolve challenging behaviour by bringing kid on the journey, getting buy in, and actually helping them be accountable!


I can't wait to be a mentor in your corner! Doors close on April 29th, head right here for further details and enrol (OR for information on the next cohort if you've missed the cut off).


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16 May 2023#22: Why Your Students Might Be Rewarding (or Punishing) You with Their Behaviour: A Discussion on the Insidious Pedagogy of Poverty.00:19:33

"Have you ever experienced the quiet calm that sweeps over the room when you ask your students to copy the work off the board, write down definitions or do a word search?

If you teach students with social, emotional and mental health needs, I would almost
guarantee the answer to that is yes. When it comes to classroom compliance, this style of pedagogy works. Which is why it is no surprise that it is common practice in schools where there are high proportions of students who exhibit challenging behaviours.

It is called ‘The Pedagogy of Poverty’, and it is inconspicuously stealing our most vulnerable students’ opportunities for success."

This episode of the podcast explores the concept of the pedagogy of poverty, explains what it means for teaching, learning, behaviour, classroom management, and everything in between. Of course, I then give you a little insight into how to tackle it through your practice.

The above excerpt is from my article "The Hidden (Disim)power of Pedadogy" in the Everyday. Journal. If you would like to check it out,  head to www.everyday.org.nz

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23 May 2023#23: Mindfulness: 'Airy-fairy' or a crucial classroom management tool? With Laura from The Kindness Curriculum00:59:51

This episode is a BIG ONE!

The incredible Laura co-founder of The Kindness Curriculum visits the podcast to talk all things mindfulness (and beyond!) 

Listen in to hear us chat about...

  • Why classroom management is all about regulation, not about just firefighting behaviours.
  • What's the big deal with mindfulness?
  • The complexities and barriers to using mindfulness in the classroom (hint... teaching is a bloody stressful job).
  • How we can bring mindfulness into our classrooms to help with behaviour and classroom management.
  • How we can make mindfulness a genuine part of the mainstream school culture.
  • Bringing mindfulness into school detention systems
  • AND MOST IMPORTANTLY.... The importance of self-compassion and kindness as teacher.

If you would like to hear more from Laura, or to check out Kind Minds, go hang out with her on Instagram @thekindnesscurriculum  


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06 Jun 2023#24: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set Expectations, and (More Importantly) Make Them an Effective Part of Your Day-to-Day Classroom Management.00:22:15

In this episode, I take you on a mini pod journey as I unravel my tips for setting expectations with students. Join me as I explore:

- The drawbacks of traditional rules and the power of expectations in fostering collaboration and connection.

- Why expectations are more effective in gaining student buy-in and creating a productive learning environment.

- Practical strategies for effectively setting expectations, including dedicating explicit lessons and encouraging student input.

- The importance of modelling accountability and creating a culture of trust and shared responsibility.

- How to keep expectations alive throughout the school year and integrate them into daily classroom routines.

- Why you, as a teacher, are a living embodiment of the expectations you set for your students.

Listen along as I provide you with the tools and inspiration to establish a classroom culture where students feel respected, valued, and motivated to meet expectations. 



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13 Jun 2023#25: Rethinking discipline: Why consequences are only a small piece of the pie00:20:48

Join me in this week's episode of The Unteachables Podcast as I dive into the power of an actionable approach to restorative practice. Through this ep I will help you to discover how accountability, reflection, and restoration can transform those frustrating behaviour challenges into golden teaching opportunities.

Get ready for a refreshing approach that focuses on respect, support, collaboration, and meaningful discussions. I share my top foundational consequences, tailor-made to authentically right the wrongs and foster student accountability. No more one-size-fits-all punishments—these consequences gain maximum buy-in from your students and mitigate future challenges. 

Restorative approaches are not about letting students get away with their behaviour or taking a soft approach. Quite the opposite! Discover why this method demands even greater accountability and reflection, empowering you to become a more skilled and effective teacher for all your students.

I also unravel the secrets behind Jane Nelson's 3 Rs of logical consequences, and delve into why they're essential guideposts on this transformative journey. I’ve got your back as I unpack these Rs to ensure your consequences hit the bullseye.

Most importantly, I introduce you to the heart of my restorative teaching practice—the transformative talks. I spill the tea on how these talks are your secret weapon to building connections, resolving challenges, and restoring relationships. I’ll explore the goals of these talks and when to unleash their power in your classroom.

So, download for your commute, and get ready to explore **actionable** restorative practice.

Referenced in the pod: Teachers or Taunters: The dilemma of true discipline for direct care workers with children. Lorraine Fox


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20 Jun 2023#26: Sorry, Not Sorry: How Apologies Can Be a 'Get Out of Jail Free Card' for Students (and What to Do Instead)00:23:29

In this episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I talk apologies, and the conundrum of forcing them. It feels like a knee-jerk reaction when a student has done something harmful... "What do you say?" or "Say sorry."

It makes sense why we do this. As the teacher we want to get to a resolution. We want to make things better! However simply forcing a student to say sorry is definitely not a solution to challenging behaviour and conflict... in fact, it's a big 'out' the allows accountability to go down the drain. 

Toady I cover:

  • The missed opportunities of forced apologies: What we really need to be doing when things go wrong.
  • The role of dialogue and reflection: Explore how engaging in meaningful conversations can repair relationships and nurture vital social and emotional skills.
  • Practical quick swaps that you can make right now to foster greater reflection and accountability during these challenging conflicts
  • The key components of Transformative Talks: The crucial piece of the puzzle with authentic resolution.

 

Check out the Masterclass: Real Consequences Real Change


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27 Jun 2023#27: Addressing Misogyny (and Other Damaging Comments) in the Classroom: Your Step-by-Step Guide"00:19:05

If you would like a printable cheat sheet of the steps found in this episode, click here.

Have you ever had to address comments from students that were homophobic, racist, misogynistic, ablest, or problematic in any other way?  If you're a teacher, it's likely the answer to that question is yes... Annnnd it only seems to be getting tougher. With male 'role models' in the social media space such as Andrew Tate, we are seeing a rise in students expressing these damaging misogynistic views, young boys in particular. 

It can be so tough to know what to say or do as teachers, especially because these things can be so deeply personal and triggering. Oftentimes when we DO address it,  students will say "it is a joke", or, "I am entitled to my opinion". 
 
So teachers are left simply remarking, "that's inappropriate" and moving on.

However this isn't good enough. It is so crucial we address these things seriously to ensure that we are teaching our students better, and creating a safe space for everybody in that room.

But how?

This is your step by step guide.


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03 Jul 2023#28: Are You Setting Your Students Up for Success, or Failure (Without Even Realising It)?00:16:58

On today's episode I dive into how our beliefs and assumptions about our students have a direct correlation with either their success, OR their failure.

These are the Pygmalion and Golem effects. The self-fulfilling prophesy.

The 1968 Rosenthal and Jacobson study concluded that when a teacher expects a student to excel, that student is more likely to perform well, while students who are expected to struggle or underperform, often do so.



Listen in to hear about:

  • The things that we do as teachers that unknowingly stop students from succeeding or progressing in the way they could.
  • The challenges and barriers to actually believing in the success of all of our students (because it's not as straight forward as just saying 'I believe in you'
  • How we can use this as a powerful tool for increasing student academic success and helping even the most 'unteachable' students break barriers and succeed.


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11 Jul 2023#29: Dropping the ball on things at work? Don't worry, that's what they were designed for! A reframe around teacher time management.00:17:43

I am sure I don't need to tell you this, but as a teacher, there is SO MUCH TO FREAKING DO! This is why some of the BIG questions I get asked from teachers, particularly newer teachers, is about things like prioritising, time management,  and how we can do allllll the things that are required of us.

The answer is simple.... We can't.

At least, we can't do everything well and still have a bit of balance.


As an experienced teacher and now a senior leader I absolutely don’t do it all - I set boundaries for myself, I do the work that’s important, I accept not everything can and will be high quality, but what matters will be done right. 

However it has taken years and years to learn how to ‘be’ as a teacher/leader in a way that works for me and protects my peace. It has taken a lot of boundary setting, letting go of things that don’t matter, learning how to prioritise and letting go of the idea of perfect. And FYI: It also took working around the clock and then burning out in my 6th year of teaching and never wanting to go back. 


In this episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I give you a reframe around workload, time management, and how to master the art of dropping the balls that really don't matter all that much.

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18 Jul 2023#30: We don't teach our subjects! We teach students, and there is one hell of a difference between the two00:13:36

Once a mentor said something to me that changed the way I viewed teaching:

We teach students, not subjects.

I am an English teacher. I love English. I wanted students to love English as much as I did, to enjoy it, to be inspired by the concepts, to read a book and discuss it as a class and be thinking wow I was just transported into a dystopian land and I can see connections between that and out current society and wow mind blown!!!

Now? This is the furthest thing from my job.

Teaching doesn't mean to stand there and teach our subject. With the existence of the internet, every bit of information we could possibly need is accessible with a simple google search. As such, teaching has changed. 

Once I came to this realization, I stopped getting so precious about my subject, and I started thinking about how English was a ‘way in’, a ‘doorway’ to these children engaging with their education, to feel successful, to learn how to think critically, to problem solve, to be creative and to find enjoyment.

In today's (very short and sharp) episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I take you through a bit of a mindset shift, and dig into why this means it's even MORE crucial for teacher training to change with the times.

Join me this episode for a mindset shift, and if you want to come and have a chat about it, don't be shy. Send me an email claire@the-unteachables.com or message me on Instagram @the.unteachables




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01 Aug 2023#31: The 'Why' That Drives Our Behaviour (The 'Good', the 'Bad', and the 'Ugly'): The 5 Basic Needs00:25:07

Today, we're diving deep into a common saying in the behavior management world: "Behavior is communication." But let's be honest, it's so broad that it often leaves us wondering, "What are they really trying to tell us?" Well, in this episode, I've got you covered!

In this episode I will be:

  • Unraveling the true meaning behind "Behavior is communication" and how it relates to our students' unmet needs.
  • Understanding the concept of Choice Theory and how our students' choices are influenced by five fundamental needs.
  • How challenging student behaviour is a result of them trying to meet their unmet needs (and how to use this to help us proactively classroom manage)

Grab a cuppa and tune in!

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08 Aug 2023#32: Teaching Kids with 'Big Baffling Behaviours': The Science of Opposition with Robyn Gobbel.01:02:21

In this episode I speak to the incredible Robyn Gobbel, and when I say you’ll want to listen to this, you should really trust me on this one.

Robyn is a former therapist turned author, podcaster, educator, and community creator, supporting the grown-ups who care for kids with vulnerable nervous systems and big, baffling behaviors. Her work has been with children with histories of complex trauma, through which she takes a relational neuroscience approach to understanding what behaviour REALLY is. 

She draws from interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, the neurosequential model of therapeutics, polyvagal theory (and more).

We dive deep into two concepts that will flip the way that you see the big baffling behaviours in your classroom, as well as revealing some really fundamental problems with how we are able to work with our students with trauma: Connection or protection, and the owl, possum, and watch dog pathways of the brain.

Oh, and teachers, want some help in working with challenging parents? Robyn helps you with that too. She really is that good.

This episode is full of information that every human being needs to bring more compassion to yourself, and to others in the world. 


If you want to see more of Robyn and her work (which is a big hell yes from me), you can do so by following her over on Instagram @robin.gobbel or heading to the links below:

Host- The Baffling Behavior Show podcast

Creator- Being With {an immersion course for parenting professionals}

Creator- The Club {a virtual community for parents of kids with big, baffling behaviors}

Author- Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work (forthcoming September 21, 2023}




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15 Aug 2023#33: Teachers, protect your peace this school year with these 5 crucial reminders00:12:54

Teachers, this episode I speak through the 5 mantras I use in my everyday practice to stay calm, stay connected, and ultimately, protect my peace!

I made this a quickie so you could return to this whenever you needed it as a bit of a pick me up. 

Write them down, pop them up on your wall, in your planner, on your desk, share with a teacher friend! Just have them in the forefront of your mind as you enter the school year (or the week) ahead.

Claire x



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22 Aug 2023#34: Co-Regulation Explained: The Core of Calm and Effective Classroom Management00:20:50

This week's "pillar" episode of The Unteachables Podcast explains the concepts at the core of my approach to classroom management; coregulation, regulation and dysregulation. 

I uncover how our survival instincts contribute to our emotional landscape and the implications it holds for teaching, and set the stage for future episodes where I delve into actionable classroom management underpinned by the need for co-regulation. 

Listen in as I discuss the role of the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, the crucial relationship they have, and how this is established. As well as answering the question, "why are some individuals able to better coregulate than others?" as I explore the influence of early childhood experiences, attachment, temperament, and traumatic events on our ability to manage emotions.

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29 Aug 2023#35: Increasing Felt Safety (and Reducing Challenging Behaviours) Through Consistency and Predictability. A Deep Dive Into the Humble Seating Plan.00:18:11

In this episode, I delve into the pivotal role of felt safety in classrooms. You'll learn how to craft a climate of felt safety that hushes unpredictability and amplifies familiarity, helping students to stay calm and regulated, ultimately reducing and mitigating disruptive behaviors.

One game changer when it comes to increasing this consistency, is the humble seating plan. 
 
It's more than just curbing low-level disturbances; it's about offering students a consistent, predictable space that silently communicates expectations. 

Listen along as I give you a step by step walk through of why seating plans are so beneficial, and why increasing the predictability and consistency in your classroom is golden for a calm teaching and learning environment.

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05 Sep 2023#36: Are You Confusing The Hell Out of Your Students? Strategies for Clearer Instruction, Better Engagement, and Less Challenging Behaviours00:18:34

Do you ever give instructions for a task to a class full of students, only to have a bunch of hands go up or confused faces looking back at you? Maybe you have low level behaviours buzzing and a disengaged hum the moment you send them off to do their task? Teachers, the answer to tackling these things could be in your clarity of instruction.

This episode is designed to arm you with practical strategies to enhance clarity of instruction and student engagement. I delve into the complexities and challenges of teaching in a room filled with 30 different humans with diverse needs and learning styles and uncover strategies to overcome hurdles that can impact a student’s ability to follow instructions. From demonstrating tasks to scaffolding, using real-life examples, encouraging questions, and reflecting on our practice, this episode has you covered.

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31 Oct 2023#37: What Good Classroom Management Can't Exist Without: A Chat with Marie Gentles on Teacher Capacity, Perception, and Felt Safety.00:54:19

On today’s episode I have the pleasure of talking to Marie Gentles, you might know her best as the expert in BBC documentaries Don’t Exclude Me and Helping our Teens, and now as the author of the book Gentles Guidance: How to Understand, Inspire and Empower Your Kids which has been recently published in June this year. She has also developed Gentle Guidance, where she delivers her own digital Behaviour Training Programme for schools/services and families.  To say that this woman is moving mountains in this space is an understatement.

So… when this incredible woman talks about what we need to be doing in the classroom to best support our young people, we all need to be listening, and what a privilege it was to be able to talk about some really important things in the educational space. 

In this episode:

  • We discuss the importance of felt safety (and how we can provide that for our young people).
  • We debunk some of the common (but understandable) assumptions we can make about the students who display the most challenging behaviours.
  • Marie shares a crucial strategy on how teachers can care for themselves first, so they have the capacity to better support their students.
  • + a whole range of other valuable bits and bobs!

Where to go to get further support from Marie:

Website: www.gentlesguidance.com

Course: gentlesguidance.thinkific.com

Book: Gentle Guidance - How to Understand, Inspire and

Empower you Kids

TV Documentaries: BBC iPlayer: Helping our Teens, Don’t Exclude Me.


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07 Nov 2023#38: A Candid Conversation About Returning from Maternity Leave, Mum Guilt, and the Pressure to Be 'Good Enough' at Everything.00:21:49

There are so many things that I wish somebody had told me before having a baby. 

Returning to work post-maternity and all of the waves of emotion and challenge involve is one of them.

This episode is important not just for those mums needing a bit of solidarity, but for EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

We all need to do better at supporting new Mums in the workplace, and an awareness of the struggles is a good place to start. 

So listen in as I have quite a candid conversation about the past term of work after 10 months home with my little chicken egg.


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14 Nov 2023#39: Four Steps to Better Parent-Teacher Relationships: Tackling those Tough Conversations00:22:59

Ever wondered how you, as an educator, can foster and nurture a positive and productive relationship with the parents of your more challenging students? This episode guides you through the hurdle-filled journey of positively engaging with parents, even when resistance or blame are at play. 

This podcast episode dives into four actionable steps that will help shift the overall sentiment of your parent interactions. I share effective strategies for getting off on the right foot, making those difficult calls, and mastering the all-important art of balancing tough conversations with positive ones. 

By the end, you'll be equipped with the skills to handle these interactions more confidently, changing the dynamics of your communications with parents.

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21 Nov 2023#40: Want a Calm Lesson? You Need a Calm Start! The 3 Proactive Classroom Management Strategies Every Teacher Should Know!00:25:36

The first 5 minutes of a lesson can absolutely be make or break for behaviour.

What you do in this time and how you prepare for it can be the deciding factor between a productive, calm, controlled space where students can learn, and a lesson that very quickly continues to descend into chaos.

So how to make sure those first 5 minutes are absolutely on point with what is needed to ensure the best success for you and your students?

The 3 Es.

Listen in as I talk through what these 3 Es are and how you can use them to really get on top, and stay on top, of behaviours throughout the lesson. Best part, they work on a proactive level, mitigating challenges before they arise and saving you a hell of a lot of time on addressing low-level disruptions.

If you want to read through this or share it with your team, you can access a copy via my blog right here!


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26 Nov 2023#41: What Is the Conscious Competence Ladder, and Why You Need to Know About It for Learning, Behavior, and Your Own Professional Development.00:17:45

One of the things that used to really grind my gears as a teacher was when I was trying to teach a new skill to students, whether it be an analytical response or a piece of creative writing, and they would say something like the following:

“I know how to do this already”
“This is baby work, I did it in Year 3”,

Or the worst one…

“Why do I have to learn English, I already speak the language!!”

Of course as a teacher I COULD spend a chunk of the lesson explaining until I am blue in the face about how there is a progression of skills, how English as a subject permeates everything we do, how the writing they did in Year 3 is not the writing I am expecting of them.

And I did. Often. 

Now? I understand that all of us, human beings in general, simply don’t know, what we don’t know!!

So what do I do instead?

I teach them about the conscious competence ladder (not necessarily using that lingo). 

Listen in to this week’s podcast as I go over what the Conscious Competence Ladder is, and why it is such a valuable theory to support us in teaching our students, and applying in our own practice.

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05 Dec 2023#42: Want to do some laid-back learning at the end of the year, and STILL maintain a calm and controlled environment? This is what you need to know.00:20:30

As the year draws to a close, things start to get increasingly challenging.

You have your head teacher telling you that you need to keep learning until the last minute, even though you KNOW your students are checked out (and let’s be honest, we’re teetering on that edge too). 

Your students are becoming more and more unsettled. The energy shifts. The disruptions, and the general volume, within the class, increase. 

Yep, that countdown starts to drag, and drag, the closer we get. We feel like we should be on the wind down to the silly season but the expectations on us get higher whilst it feels like it gets lower for the students. 

This episode is all about WHY these challenges emerge at this time of year (because there are multiple culprits at play), and what we can actually DO to keep some semblance of control over our classroom spaces. 

It’s all about being able to inject some much needed fun into the end of year whilst still   maintaining a sense of calm amongst the excitement.

In this episode I discuss how to set the stage for more laid-back learning, and explore a structured start to keep your students engaged.  It’s all about thriving in the lead up to the holidays, not simply surviving! 

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12 Dec 2023#43: 2023: The year I became a mother, a wife, and an author. Reflections, regrets, and lessons learnt.00:25:53

2023 has been one of the biggest, and most transformational times in my life. Both professionally, and personally.

It has been a year where too many dreams decided to show up at once (I understand how much of an oxymoron that is).

 So I just had to lean into the beautiful chaos of it all and MAKE it work.

I had a baby.
I wrote a book.
I ran my business.
I got married.
I was a senior leader.
And allll of the things that go along with every single one of the above.

In this episode, I reflect on the year that was and go through how I navigated all of it (and came out the other end in relatively one piece).

Thank you for listening in to The Unteachables Podcast this year, it’s been amazing to have you along for the ride!

Claire

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19 Dec 2023#44: The one thing you need to do during the holidays to improve your classroom management in 2024.00:17:32

 I spent the first 5 years of my career feeling like I needed to be ‘all over’ every single facet of the lesson to contain and reduce challenging behaviours. This meant working through almost every weekend and break that I had.

Yes, it helped my classroom management! I was able to create lessons that were well-resourced, pitched right, scaffolded brilliantly so students could access them, relevant… all of the things that support us in mitigating some of the challenging behaviours that we may see.

What I didn’t release at the time was I was taking two steps forward and three steps back. I wasn’t resting, I wasn’t filling my cup, I wasn’t investing in myself, and I was BURNT OUT. Worse yet, I was on the brink of full-blown compassion fatigue after spending years absorbing the traumas of the young people I worked with. 

This meant I was missing the biggest piece of the classroom management puzzle.

Ensuring I was okay, that I was regulated, that I had the capacity to co-regulate, stay calm, and influence the energy in the room.  As cliched as it sounds, I wasn’t putting my own oxygen mask on before fitting it onto those around me.

So as we head into the holidays, this episode is a big reminder that resting is the most important thing that you can do, because the efficacy of your teacher self, is reliant on the health and wellbeing of your real life self. If this sounds like something you need a little bit of a reminder around, or you struggle to set boundaries, then this is the episode for you.

This is the last episode of The Unteachables Podcast for 2023 - I will be back Tuesday 8th January! I can’t wait to continue to support you in 2024. 

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09 Jan 2024#45: Are you classroom managing like a fist, or a palm? A game-changing metaphor that will shape the way you approach behaviour in the heat of the moment00:23:18

In today’s episode, I am going to be giving you a visual metaphor to approaching challenging classroom behaviour that can be a game changer. 

This is something that I was taught way back in my first year of teaching and it has stuck with me ever since. It is one of the things that started to really build my own classroom management approach to what it is today.

I use it in my own classroom, I discuss this over the table with my own staff,  I have presented this to different schools, I embed it in my online courses, and today, I will be sharing it with you.

As the first episode of 2024, I will also be giving you a bit of an overview of all of the exciting things happening  here at The Unteachables Academy, including the release of my first ever book!

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16 Jan 2024#46: What it really takes to change behaviour with the hardest to teach (and why it can take so damn long)!00:25:29

Today on the podcast we will be talking about working with the students who are the hardest to teach, and the hardest to reach. 

The students who you are told to try to build the relationship with, but they resist it and throw it back in your face. 

The students who need a hell of a lot of support, and let’s face it probably need a placement that is more therapeutic, but are still working with you in your classrooms. 

I take you through a metaphor for understanding what it truly takes to shift behaviour in these students, but why it also takes so so long. 


We discuss:

  • What a disorganised attachment is how it manifests in challenging behaviours
  • What neuroplasticity is and how it works
  • How the practices we use in our classroom change behaviour little by little
  • Why we need to show ourselves grace and compassion, and why you're having more of an impact than you think



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23 Jan 2024#47: How teachers are set up to fail, what SHOULD be included in teacher training, and what a trauma-informed approach looks like in action. A discussion with Em Gentle, founder of The Grad Guide00:51:15

Today I am joined on the podcast with Em Gentle, a graduate teacher mentor, fellow edu-podcaster, and founder of the grad guide where she supports new teachers adopt a trauma informed approach to teaching. 

In today’s episode we go on all the rants including:

  • What teachers should be taught in teacher preparation programs before entering the profession
  • Our 'inherited' classroom management and teacher guilt around it
  • What a trauma informed approach looks like in action
  • What we see new teachers struggle with the most (self-doubt, overwhelm, a lack of behaviour support) and
  • What things we would recommend for new teachers to know and do with their classroom management and teaching and learning.

Although new teachers are definitely the focus for this episode, it is just as valuable for all teachers.

After all, it is simply about great teaching.


Find more of Em's work on instagram: @thegradguide_

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30 Jan 2024#48: Should we be ‘letting things slide’ as teachers? Or should we be holding students accountable for every little challenging behaviour?00:22:21

Classroom management is nothing if not confusing. One of the things I have been told along the way is that we need to be picking our battles with behaviour. Another thing I have ALSO been told along the way is that we shouldn't be letting things slide. I have also given both of these pieces of advice at different times in my career. 

So what do we do? Where do I stand?

Well the reality is that it is far more complicated than this. 

Are you surprised?

As I always say, classroom management is incredibly nuanced, and there’s very rarely a black and white answer. However, in today’s episode, I do aim to provide you with a bit of clarity on what it means to balance rapport with addressing challenging behaviours. 

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06 Feb 2024#49: No homework, no mandatory testing, AND shorter school days? The observations of an Australian teacher exploring Finland's world-class education system.00:45:01

On today’s episode I talk to Jess Steadman who is an experienced Australian primary educator. You might know her as @thesydneyteacher on Instagram where she develops resources for teachers, but I brought her on the podcast today because she recently went on a study tour of Finland! 

Finland routinely tops rankings for education, yet what we know is that there is very little homework, mandatory testing and less time actually spent in a traditional classroom setting. But when Aussie teacher Jess heads into Finnish schools, what were her observations, what was different? And what are some of the things that teachers could bring back and implement into their own islands which could be transformative for their practice, academic outcomes, and the behaviours of the students we teaching. 

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19 Feb 2024#50: Teachers with few behaviour issues have the following 5 things in common... Or do they?00:22:00

There are absolutely no absolutes when it comes to behaviour. So when somebody makes a sweeping generalisation that if you do X, Y, and Z you will have very few behavioural issues in your class, they are misleading you, big time. 

In this podcast episode I talk about a very misleading teaching post I stumbled upon on social media. It was divisive. It was shame-inducing. And it went VIRAL! Which means there were a hell of a lot of teachers who saw it, engaged with it, and may have felt like crap because of it.

Listen in as I break it down and smash it apart. 

This is a no-shame space for teachers!!


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26 Feb 2024#51: How to become a 'Disruptive Educator', and make the move from high-control to compassion-driven classrooms with Bobby Morgan of The Liberation Lab00:49:09

On today's podcast episode I interview probably THE most quotable guest I have had on the show.

Bobby Morgan, the founder of The Liberation Lab, is a spearhead for disruptive education practices that break away from the confining norms of high-control teaching. We unravel the threads of deficit ideologies and reimagine a classroom where culturally responsive teaching and social justice aren't just concepts but are interwoven into the fabric of learning.

Right at the very heart of our discussion, we cast a spotlight on the harsh truths behind punitive discipline in schools, advocating for a seismic shift towards nurturing relationships within classroom management. We dissect the unrealistic standards we set for our students, standards that we, as adults, often fail to meet ourselves. Our exchange serves as a mirror, reflecting the essential need for educators to embody the principles they champion, fostering an environment ripe for understanding, compassion, and true behavioural change.

This episode is overflowing with value, as we touch on:

  • What is a disruptive educator (and how can we be one)?
  • A little about our own roots in education and some  mistakes we have made along the way
  • Teacher helplessness
  • The 4 types of educators you will come across at every school, and finally (but most importantly:
  • A really practical and immediate way you can bring more restorative practice into your classroom to have a positive impact on behaviour.


This is an episode that truly calls for teachers to be the catalysts of growth, nurturing every child's potential through self-awareness and continuous development. I can't wait for you to listen.


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05 Mar 2024#52: I had a strong why, but I was still a weak teacher. What it really took to develop my classroom management practice.00:24:15

We are often told to go back to our 'why' as teachers when things get tough.  
My goodness is it important for us to have a strong purpose in a job like teaching, yet it certainly is no classroom management magic bullet.

Why, oh why, is a why not enough?

Because it takes FAR more to have a strong, compassionate, and calm approach to teaching. 

In this episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I take you through my own journey to demonstrate how even with the strongest why, without the proper support and strategy we can be left drowning in classroom behaviours and becoming the teacher we never envisioned being. 

I hope this episode serves as a comfort to new teachers and experienced teachers alike, and is validation that if you are finding classroom management hard, that is because it really is that hard. No matter who you are, and why you chose to be a teacher.

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11 Mar 2024#53: If your classroom management doesn't include these 3 things, it won't work. A walk through of my entire classroom management approach.00:25:07

It is so easy to get lost in the noise in teaching. ‘Best practices’ are pretty dependant on who you speak to. Some will advocate for a trauma informed approach, some talk about restorative practice like it is the holy grail. Some will call it different names entirely. Some still stand by the use of extrinsic rewards and detentions, there is PBL, PBIS, tiers, intervention after intervention, a million pieces of the big old puzzle that is classroom management.

So what do we do? What is good classroom management, really?

For me, it is the holistic approach that I have adapted over the past 13 years. An approach that effectively reduces, responds to, and resolves, challenging classroom behaviours. An approach that not only supports every student, but empowers every educator. 
 
In this episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I am going through the entire thing. 

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19 Mar 2024#54: So if punishment is OFF the table, what is ON it when it comes to behaviour? 3 tangible takeaways to implementing a non-punitive classroom management approach.00:21:07

So the research shows that punishment doesn’t change behaviour? So then what do we actually do as teachers?

 What’s on the table when other things feel like they are off it?

In today's episode:

  • I give you a few ins and outs of the impact of punitive punishment
  • Why sometimes it seems to really work
  • 3 really tangible takeaways you can immediately apply in your classrooms 


Speaking of research, want to have a read? Here are some good places to start:

Jean-Richard-Dit-Bressel P, Killcross S, McNally GP. Behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of punishment: implications for psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018;43(8):1639-1650. doi:10.1038/s41386-018-0047-3

Lukowiak T, Bridges J. Punishment strategies: First choice or last resort. JAASEP. 2010:63-72.

A great book that will sum up a bunch of research on punishments and rewards is Alfie Kohn's book Punished by Rewards.

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28 Mar 2024#55: Q&A. Help! I get ZERO support, advice, or mentorship from my leaders around the challenging behaviours in my class. [A SNEAK PEAK INTO THE PRIVATE PODCAST]00:13:19

A very special bonus episode coming to you from the That'll Teach 'Em Private Podcast!

On today's episode I answer Michelle's 'question' (well - I respond to her comment).

"This can’t start quick enough - I wouldn’t even call myself a new teacher but I am drowning in behaviour and whenever I reach out for help, and I'm not shy in doing so I’m so keen to learn and improve, my head of department always umms and ahhs, makes excuses, and has never actively observed me, supported me, or really answered any questions around classroom management. I am so happy to be a part of the That'll Teach 'Em community and to finally feel like I’m not alone."

I know this is something that many of you are experiencing, or have experienced. So if this is you, this episode is definitely worth a listen.


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02 Apr 2024#56: TEACHER PEP TALK! Feeling powerless in the classroom? Disempowered? Disrespected? Like you have no control? This is for you.00:18:40

Classroom management can, oftentimes, leave teachers grappling with feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, failure, and powerlessness. 

You might feel walked all over, that you can't do anything about behaviour, that your students simply don't care about what you're teaching. This can be an incredibly disempowering place to be in as a human being, and if this is you at all, if you have ever ever felt like this, any of these things, this teacher pep talk is definitely for you. 

Never forget:
You can not control anybody elses behaviour.
Nobody is a puppet on a string.
You can not make a human being do anything that they don’t want to. No matter how old they are.

What you CAN do, is control your practice, your responses, yourself. Once you know exactly what you CAN control, the teaching, learning, and behaviour game changes.



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09 Apr 2024#57: “You'll NOT act a fool in my classroom and go unchecked!” What it really looks like to have solid classroom expectations and boundaries (HINT: It's not that)00:14:48

What comes to mind when I say that as teachers we need...

STRONG expectations and FIRM, CONSISTENT boundaries.

Does it sound like:

"You as a student are not going to act a fool in my classroom and go UNCHECKED. You are not going to be rude and disrespectful UNCHECKED. And yes go tell your parent I said it! Standards and boundaries from DAY 1!"

OR does it sound like:

"Welcome, Year 8, Come on in!"

Spoiler alert: It's the latter. 

Because behind the scenes of that sentence, are all of the things that are done to non-verbally reinforce your expectations and boundaries. 

  • Your responses
  • Your routines
  • Your planning
  • Your practices
  • How you foster connection
  • Your modelling
  • Your mindset
  • Your classroom environment.

Every 👏 single 👏 thing we do is sending messages to our students about what we expect from them.

What do I mean? In this episode of The Unteachables podcast I give you ONE as an example. Your classroom environment.

Listen in as I dig into how our classroom environment could be make or break for our classroom management, how before our students even walk in, we could be mitigating (or fuelling the fire of) challenging behaviours.

Want a free resourced and ready expectations lesson? Leave me a written review, take a screenshot, send it over to me on Instagram @the.unteachables or send it to my email claire@the-unteachables.com and I will send it over as a thank you!

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16 Apr 2024#58: Do your students take you seriously? How to balance being warm, friendly, and approachable, with holding crucial behaviour boundaries.00:13:57

Is it possible that being too friendly is harming your classroom management efforts?

No.

Okay, maybe a little, but not in the way you think.

Does the below resonate?

You feel like you have a really great relationship with your students, but when it is time to get to the business side of things and get some serious work done, the energy is high, they aren’t really listening to you, they might be calling out and having a chit chat during instruction?

Maybe this is leaving you feeling a little disrespected and deflated? After all, you have a fab relationship with them, but they don't seem to be taking you seriously!

Maybe you are feeling that pressure to be more stern and strict but you don't know how to do that in a way that aligns with your values?

PLEASE KNOW FIRST UP... This is NOT because they don't RESPECT you!!

So what is the problem?

That is what I cover in this week's episode:

  • What is the credible and approachable teaching personas?
  • How can we craft this into the day to day?
  • What does it look like in practice? 
  • How this can be a game changer for our teaching practice and classroom management!



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23 Apr 2024#59: Struggle with boundaries as a teacher? This one sentence will change absolutely everything about how you see them, and hold them.00:14:55

Struggle with boundaries as a teacher?

Safe to say you're not alone on that one.

These stats are scary:
(NASUWT survey Nov 2023)

  • 87% of teachers say their workload has increased in the past year.
  • Teachers are working 54 hours a week on average (you just know some are working 40, and some are working 70!!)
  • 83% of teachers believe their job has adversely affected their mental health over the past year

So why don't we just say no more? 

Push back?

Say that we simply won't work on the weekend because we have a family, or a date with our bed and UberEats?

Well there's a bunch of complex reasons. It is cultural, it is expected, and there is a bunch of FEAR attached to it! I wish I could tell you that this fear wasn't justified, but even I have my own rotten experience of holding a boundary that was far from well-received (as you will hear in this episode).

But then I heard something that changed me.

It changed the way I saw how I was approaching boundaries.

It helped me be more discerning, critical, and reflective on what I was saying yes to.

It helped me to hold my boundaries, advocate for myself, and do the same for my staff.

THAT is what you will find in this week's episode, teacher friends.

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30 Apr 2024#60. Students not taking accountability for their behaviours? Here's what to do.00:16:56

Click here to download all 71 behaviour response prompts!

Tell me if this sounds familiar, teacher friend...

You have struggled to get through even a minute of teacher-led instruction because of one student who is cutting you off at every turn.

It has a knock on effect, causing other students to become disengaged and dysregulated. You become increasingly frustrated, you address him, and you get a very loud response...

“Why are you talking to ME?!”

“Other students are talking too!”

“Go talk to them!”

When students struggle to take accountability for the behaviours that you see happen in front of your very eyes it can be incredibly frustrating . BECAUSE it is so frustrating, it can be even harder to stay calm and regulated, which we know is crucial when it comes to addressing these behaviours effectively.

That's why in this episode you will find some steps that will guide you through the process, and some clear prompts that you can use to take all the guess work out of it.

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07 May 2024#61. “Make me a sandwich”. How we can address the alarming misogyny present in our classrooms.00:23:53

Download the guide: Addressing misogyny in the classroom

In the wake of recent events sparking renewed conversations about gender-based violence, the imperative for educators to address misogyny in the classroom has never been more pressing. Samantha Schulz's article, "Make me a sandwich," sheds light on a disturbing reality: the behaviors and language male students exhibit that perpetuate sexist and abusive attitudes towards their female teachers.

In planning for this podcast and the guide that you can access above, I reached out to educators (from Australia) and what they shared about their own experiences reinforced the concerns in Schultz’s research. From dismissive attitudes towards female teachers to alarming comments about gender roles and sexuality, the spectrum of issues, ranging from subtle yet insidious remarks to overtly misogynistic comments, demands our attention and action.

Yet, our response must be as nuanced as the issue at hand itself. We cannot resort to shaming or isolating our students; instead, we must seize each interaction as an opportunity for buy-in and education. This episode, and the attached guide, aims to equip teachers with strategies to do just that; to address misogyny effectively and strategically. 

By taking these steps, we not only create safer spaces for our students but also do our part to contribute to a broader cultural shift. None of us can do this alone, and we can all play a small part.

In this episode I provide you with a 4 step roadmap to feeling more confident and empowered addressing misogynistic and other problematic comments in the classroom.

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14 May 2024#62. 'Apathetic' teenagers, post-pandemic classrooms, and finding all the glimmers with Dr Lori Desautels00:51:08

On today's episode I speak to the brilliant Dr Lori Desautels to answer one of the big behaviour questions I am often asked...

What's going on with apathetic teenage behaviour?!

As well as this, we speak about:

  • Neuroplasticity and why it is crucial for teachers to have an understanding around.
  • How we can transform the experiences and education of our students in the smallest of moments, in the day to day 'touch points'. 
  • How you can foster a classroom environment where students feel a sense of trust and emotional safety.
  • The impact of the pandemic on the emotional wellbeing of our students and how this manifests in challenging classroom behaviours 
  • Plus so much more

I am so excited to bring you this episode. Dr Lori Desautels is an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience, and is a true leader in education. 

Instagram @lori.desautels 


Dr Lori Desautels has been an Assistant Professor at Butler University since 2016 where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education.  Lori was also an Assistant Professor at Marian University in Indianapolis for 8 years where she founded the Educational Neuroscience Symposium that has now reached thousands of educators and is in its 10th year.  Lori’s passion is engaging her students through the social and relational neurosciences as it applies to education by integrating the Applied Educational Neuroscience framework, and its learning principles and practices into her coursework at Butler.  The Applied Educational Neuroscience Certification, created by Lori in 2016, is specifically designed to meet the needs of educators, counselors, clinicians and administrators who work beside children and adolescents who have, and are, experiencing adversity and trauma. The certification is now global and has reached hundreds of educators.  

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21 May 2024#63: Blame my brain! What's behind those big, bad, bold, and downright bloody baffling behaviours.00:19:05

In today's episode, we're diving deep into understanding behaviours driven by the stress response. This foundational knowledge is crucial for any teacher looking to transform their classroom into an island of safety for their students which nurtures connection, reduces anxiety, and promotes growth.

In this episode, I discuss:

1/ The stress response and behaviours: Gain insights into how the amygdala processes information and triggers fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. Understanding this biological process is key to addressing student behaviours effectively.

2/ How to create a sense of felt safety in the classroom: Learn how to establish consistent boundaries, routines, and expectations to reduce anxiety and create a secure environment for your students.

3/ Responding appropriately (and effectively) to dysregulated behaviours:  Classroom management strategies to handle stress-driven behaviours with empathy and support, avoiding punitive measures that can escalate the situation.

4/ Practical classroom management support: Explore practical ways to reduce the unknowns in the classroom by using visual aids, clear communication, and structured lesson plans to help students feel more in control and less anxious.

Referenced episodes of The Unteachables Podcast:

  • Episode #32: "Teaching Kids with Big Baffling Behaviours: The Science of Opposition" with Robyn Gobble
  • Episode #62. 'Apathetic' teenagers, post-pandemic classrooms, and finding all the glimmers with Dr Lori Desautels

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28 May 2024#64: Conquering the colossal to do-list, embracing imperfection, and being "more like Kerrie". Swimming, surviving, and thriving, with Ashley from Rainbow Sky Creations00:44:02

In this episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I sit down with Ashley, a seasoned teacher with 18 years of experience and half of the wonderful Rainbow Sky Creation crew, to discuss practical strategies for managing the demands of teaching. Ashley shares invaluable tips that every teacher, especially those in their early years, can benefit from. From finding mentors and effective time management to self-care and flexibility in the classroom, Ashley's insights are designed to inspire and support educators at every stage of their careers.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Finding a Mentor: How to identify and learn from efficient colleagues to work smarter, not harder.
  • Peer Learning: The benefits of observing and engaging with fellow teachers for professional development.
  • Managing Overwhelm: Techniques for organizing tasks and reducing stress.
  • Reframing Your To-Do List: Viewing your list as a wish list to change your mindset and reduce pressure.
  • Prioritising Self-Care: The importance of hobbies and activities outside of work to prevent burnout, as well as taking sick days when needed.
  • Flexibility in Teaching: Giving yourself and your students grace and knowing when to change plans.
  • Authenticity and Relationship Building: The impact of being genuine and building strong relationships with students, as well as establishing crucial connections with your teaching community

Plus a bunch more!

If you want to learn more from Ashley, you can find her any place she hangs out:
Instagram @rainbowskycreations https://www.instagram.com/rainbowskycreations/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rainbowskycreations?lang=en
Podcast: Rainbow Skies for New Teachers https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/rainbow-skies-for-new-teachers/id1713486550



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04 Jun 2024#65: Redefining a strong approach to classroom management: It's about so much more than just the behaviour.00:15:40

Welp… it’s happening.

The past 670 days have led to me being able to say this next sentence….

NEXT MONTH MY BOOK, 'IT’S NEVER JUST ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR’, IS FINALLY HITTING THE SHELVES!!

It feels like a lifetime ago since I signed the contract above the title ‘author’. The imposter syndrome was real. Author? Me? How the hell am I going to pull this off? Especially because the person who signed on that line was a very pregnant Claire about to head into the chaotic unknown of parenthood for the first time.

So I guess it was a lifetime ago. I was a different person in my pre-mother, pre-author life. But the best news? The imposter syndrome is well and truly gone. It’s Never Just About the Behaviour is everything I wanted it to be and more.

When writing it, I kept coming back to these main goals.

To empower you to take the action you can take when you walk into your classroom.

To feel supported, confident and equipped to turn your own space into an island of safety and support for each one of your students.
 
To know that, when challenging behaviours inevitably pop up, you’ll be able to respond to them effectively and calmly.

Allowing you to do the job that you got into the profession to do, and do it damn well.

To teach.

To celebrate the release, over the next 7 weeks, there will be a weekly Podcast episode based around each of the pillars of the book - think about it as a VIP sneak peek to dip your toes on (or even make sure it is for you before you take the plunge and purchase… but I have a feeling it is for you if you are on this list). 

This first episode right here is based on the first pillar, Get Curious! 

In this episode I…

  • Introduce the overarching approach to classroom management I take in INJATB
  • Explain why being curious about our students' behaviour is essential for understanding and addressing it effectively.
  • Give you a quick overview of something from the behaviour backpack: William Glasser’s five basic needs—love and belonging, fun, power and mastery, freedom, and survival—and how they drive behaviour.
  • What this looks like in the classroom: I discuss how unmet needs can manifest in student behaviour and what you can do about it, and share practical strategies to help you stay curious and empathetic, even in challenging situations.


Other episodes of the podcast I reference throughout:

Episode 31: The Why That Drives Our Behaviour - The Good, Bad, and Ugly
Dive deeper into Glass’s Five Basic Needs and understand how they influence behaviour.
[Listen to Episode 31]

Episode 63: Blame My Brain - What's Behind Those Big, Bad, Bold, and Downright Baffling Behaviors?
Explore the connection between stre

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11 Jun 2024#66: Are you caught in the vicious cycle of reactive classroom management?00:13:49

Welcome to this week’s episode! If you missed last week, head back and catch up, because this is week 2 of digging into pillars from my new book, It’s Never Just About the Behaviour, which is available for pre-order and will be released at the end of June/start of July. 

In this episode, I'll be focusing on Pillar 2: Be Calm. One of the most impactful tools in our classroom management arsenal is maintaining a sense of stillness and calm, even in a chaotic environment. A strong teaching presence is built on the foundation of regulation—what we want from our students, we need to model ourselves.

I'll be discussing:

  • Strategies to stay regulated in a dysregulated environment.
  • How to craft a strong, calm teaching persona.
  • A 5-step non-verbal roadmap to respond to low-level behaviours.

I'll also delve into the importance of awareness in avoiding the vicious cycle of reactive classroom management. Drawing from my early career experiences, I’ll share how frantic and heated responses only led to more chaos and how many teachers, lacking proper training, fall into this reactive cycle.

Breaking this cycle starts with us. We need to be the calm conductors in our classrooms. I’ll provide insights into how to recognise signs of dysregulation in ourselves and techniques to regain control, such as pausing, deep breathing, and relaxing our shoulders. Additionally, I’ll highlight the value of mentorship in identifying and addressing these signs.

Tune in to learn how to mitigate challenging behaviours through self-regulation and establishing a calm, effective classroom environment.

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18 Jun 2024#67: So you want to move away from punitive discipline? Here’s where to start.00:25:13

Welcome to today's episode where I dive deep into Pillar 3 of my upcoming book, "It's Never Just About the Behaviour." 

This pillar focuses on the importance of compassion in classroom management, but not in the way you might expect.

I will explore actionable, compassionate pedagogy that moves beyond traditional exclusionary practices.

In this episode, I cover:

  • How my challenging school experience shaped my teaching philosophy and the struggle of becoming the teacher I didn’t want to be and how I overcame it.
  • Differentiating discipline from punishment and consequences.
  • Steps to engage in meaningful conversations with students, and the importance of suitable consequences that follow Jane Nelson's three Rs of logical consequences: related, respectful, and reasonable.
  • Why being  compassionate in classroom management means more than just being kind; it's about equipping ourselves with effective, value-driven strategies.

Links and resources mentioned in the episode:

Download the free guide: 71 Behaviour Response Prompts
Join the waitlist for The Behaviour Club
Preorder my book, "It's Never Just About the Behaviour"  


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25 Jun 2024#68: Turning your classroom into an island of safety for every single student (oh, and for yourself as the teacher, of course)00:18:06

Consistency in classroom management is more than just a routine; it’s a pathway to creating an "island of safety" for your students. From the moment students walk into the classroom to the way lessons are structured, consistency can significantly reduce anxiety and foster a supportive learning environment.

In this episode, I delve into the fourth pillar from my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour, focusing on proactive classroom management through increased predictability and consistency.

Listen in as I discuss how teachers can create a neurologically safe learning environment for their students. I explain how predictability helps regulate students neurologically, making them feel safer and more prepared. This sense of security is crucial for mitigating challenging behaviours and creating an atmosphere conducive to learning.

To help you implement these strategies immediately, I outline how to establish a strong, predictable, and calm start to lessons. After all, if you win the start of the lesson, the rest becomes much easier.

Here are some of my favourite routines to start a lesson on a calm and positive note (and the ones I walk you through in this episode):

  • Welcoming students with predictability and consistency.
  • Using seating plans as a proactive, rather than reactive, strategy.
  • Using learning maps to enhance students' ability to anticipate upcoming activities, ultimately decreasing anxiety and the stress response.
  • Providing a consistent, quality, accessible, and concept-driven starter activity.


I discuss all of these in depth in Pillar 4 of my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour.

The biggest takeaway? Understanding that reducing the activation of the amygdala—the part of the brain responsible for the fight, flight, or freeze response—leads to an immediate decrease in challenging behaviours. One of the best ways to achieve this as a teacher and create a calmer, more focused learning environment is by following the golden rule: "minimize the unknown."

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02 Jul 2024#69: How to give instructions that students get (and follow!!). Avoiding classroom confusion and chaos by using the 'Get Ready, Get Set, Go!' strategy.00:19:31

This week, I dive into Pillar 5 of "It's Never Just About the Behavior." In this episode, I emphasize the importance of clarity in your holistic classroom management approach, and provide practical strategies to ensure students understand and meet expectations.

Today I discuss:

  • The Importance of Clarity in Expectations:
  • Why clear communication is crucial for student success
  • How assumptions about student knowledge can lead to misunderstandings and a whole bunch of chaos
  • Get Ready, Get Set, Go Strategy: A step-by-step guide to delivering effective instructions
  • Examples of how to implement this strategy in various classroom scenarios

Today's episode is based on Pillar 5 of my book It's Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management

Leave me a review for the book and send me a screenshot and I will send you 13 posters of the beautiful illustrations to pop up in your staffroom or office! Thank you so much, your kind reviews mean so much and help me reach more educators!


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09 Jul 2024#70: I truly didn't believe all of my students could succeed. Why this was diabolical for behaviour and engagement, and what I had to change.00:22:39

Today, I dive into a strategy from Pillar 6 from my newly released book, 'It's Never Just About the Behaviour' which explores the essential connection between quality teaching, learning, and managing challenging classroom behaviours.

In this episode, I explore two key reasons why teaching and learning is inextricably linked with classroom management.

I dig into how the beliefs and expectations we have about our students can become self-fulfilling prophecies, shaping student behaviour and their sense of self-worth. Why we need to be raising the bar high for all of our students if we want them to succeed, and why sometimes we do the opposite. I also discuss the  strategic approach we need to take to ensure every student can achieve the high standards we set for them. After all, we don't want to set them up for failure either way!

In this episode, I discuss: 

  • The downwards spiral of low expectations: Recognising and overcoming our own biases about student behaviour and achievement.
  • How our behaviour as educators reinforces these expectations.
  • The feedback loop that affects student outcomes.
  • Why believing in a student's potential is an act of compassion.
  • The importance of providing both challenge and support for optimal learning outcomes.
  • Practical strategies for implementing this balanced approach in your classroom (it really is like Goldilocks and the three bears!)
  • The concept of scaffolding and its role in student success.
  • Practical tips like the "me, we, you" process to implement scaffolding effectively.
  • + Much more!

So, if you're looking for actionable strategies to enhance your teaching practice and proactively classroom manage, this episode is a must-listen.

Other related episodes to listen to:

Episode 28: "Are You Setting Your Students Up for Success or Failure Without Even Realizing It?"

Episode 22: "Why Your Students Might Be Rewarding or Punishing You with Their Behaviour: A Discussion on the Insidious Pedagogy of Poverty."

If you haven't yet, you can grab a copy of my book "It’s Never Just About the Behaviour" by heading to:

Amazon Australia
Amazon UK
Amazon US
OR googling the book title in your home country so the best way to purchase pops up!

If you've already read the book, leaving a positive review would mean the world to me. Email or direct message me a screenshot and receive 13 beautiful posters of the book illustrations as a thank you!

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16 Jul 2024#71: Kids don’t learn off people they don’t like… but getting them to like you is sometimes easier said than done! How to reach and teach students with big behaviours.00:15:54

Welcome back to another episode of The Unteachables Podcast, teacher friends! Today I delve into the final chapter of my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour. If you want to listen to this series from the start, head back to episode 65!

Yes, building relationships is important... but dang is it hard with some students! On today's episode I give you practical tips for building connections and establishing felt safety in the classroom, particularly with students who present with challenging behaviours. 

This episode highlights the crucial role that relationships play in effective classroom management and offers insights for creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.

I discuss:

  • The huge barriers that we can face when it comes to developing rapport with some students.
  • The concept of "felt safety" and its importance in building trust with students.
  • Strategies for establishing connections, including the two by ten strategy and catching the positive.
  • The importance of teacher wellbeing and creating supportive work environments for educators.

Watch Rita Pearson's TED Talk: "Every Child Needs a Champion"

Learn more about Alan Mendler's Two by Ten Strategy here.

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23 Jul 2024#72: Let’s have a heart to heart… How are you going? Plus, big news on how The Unteachables is changing.00:23:15

Let me ask you a question, teacher friend...

How are you, really?

I have thought long and hard about how I view teacher wellbeing, what it is, how we get it, and there are so many factors that we need to consider: 

  • How much autonomy and trust you have.
  • The support you’re getting from leadership.
  • The culture of the school.
  • How empowered you feel in your classroom .
  • How confident and masterful you feel.
  • The opportunities that are afforded to you.
  • How fulfilling you feel the work is.

But today I wanted to talk about one factor that for me has had the most impact on how I am mentally and emotionally in the day to day in my role as a teacher.

One thing that has had the biggest impact on how I have been able to develop professionally.

Our teaching village.

They say it takes a village as a teacher but what does that mean? It certainly doesn’t just mean having people around us because when I felt my lowest in teaching, I had PLENTY of teachers around me.

For me having a village as a teacher needs to be about having like-minded people around us that we can trust to be vulnerable with, ask questions to, bounce ideas off, be inspired and empowered by (and empower them in return). To be able to access support in whatever form needed. To never have your struggles minimised or shrugged off, but heard and validated.

This was so pivotal for me, that I am changing the way that I support teachers here at The Unteachables Academy. I am making The Behaviour Club, my teaching village, central to what I offer. TBC is a dynamic community where like-minded teachers can connect, share, and grow together. With masterclasses, resources, and a thriving online network, this club is designed to support educators every step of the way.

Click here to join us and become a member of The Behaviour Club!

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30 Jul 2024#73: No space for a calm corner in your classroom? 4 practical tips for student self-regulation on the go!00:17:14

Let’s talk calm corners.

They are all the rage, and for good reason.

When done right, they teach regulation skills and embed these as part of the classroom culture and shared language.

When students understand more about their brains, they’re more likely to be empowered to manage their behaviours and self-regulate. Yes, even in secondary! Especially in secondary! The teenage years are the biggest time for brain development, second only to when we are developing in the womb up until 2 years of age.

But a calm corner? Not always a physical and logistical possibility.

All I could have managed in my tiny first classroom (and many since then) were front-facing rows, or at a stretch a double-U configuration that I would trip over bags to squeeze behind.

Safe to say that no calm corner was being set up.

Luckily, a calm corner (ironically) doesn’t need a corner.

It doesn’t need a comfy beanbag or a box full of magical fidget spinners.

It doesn’t require teachers to fork out hundreds of their own hard-earned dollars, and it doesn’t require a fancy display.

Sure, a comfy space would be lovely, but please don’t let it deter you if that’s the furthest thing from a possibility.

Your classroom might be too small. You might not even have a classroom of your own and need to drag your things from one side of the school to the other five times a day. You might be a casual teacher who’s desperate to implement some of these strategies but doesn’t think it’s possible.

It is possible. And in this episode, I talk you through 3 steps to take in order to set up a calm CULTURE, not just a calm corner!

The resources mentioned in today's episode:

The Behaviour Club: Learn More
SEL Lesson: Flipping Your Lid
Regulation Cards: Your calm corner on the go!

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06 Aug 2024#74: The start of school ice breaker activities that need to get in the bin, and what to do instead to build a positive, thriving, class community (no matter what time it is!)00:18:11

How can you set the tone for an amazing school year without resorting to icebreakers that have your students eyes rolling?

In this episode, you will learn how to foster genuine connections, and create a positive classroom environment that students are eager to be part of, any day of the school year. Listen in as I explore why typical icebreakers often miss the mark and reveal criteria for activities that spark natural, student-led discussions.

This episode is packed with insights on creating a classroom culture where students feel safe and excited from day one. So whether you're gearing up for a new year or need a mid-year reset, tune in for tips on building a supportive, engaging classroom community.

Want to grab the icebreakers mentioned in the episode?

Find them in The Behaviour Club, or download them separately here on TPT!

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13 Aug 2024#75: My top 4 classroom management tips for a strong start to the school year (and beyond!)00:24:24

The start of a new school year is always a mix of excitement and nerves (the Sunday scaries multiplied times over!!). As teachers, we’re not just thinking about lesson plans and curriculum—we’re setting the stage for a whole year of learning, growth, and relationships. What will our students be like? How will they get along? What will the dynamics be? Will they respond to me? How we kick off this journey can make a huge difference in shaping the classroom environment that we want for the year to come.

Gone are the days of cringing through icebreakers and stiff introductions. This year, let’s focus on creating a welcoming space where students feel seen, heard, and ready to engage. From establishing a positive classroom culture to setting clear, collaborative expectations, and even getting ahead with parents, every action we take helps build a foundation for a successful year.

So, how can we make the first days of school truly count?

This episode covers my top 4 strategies that will leave your students—and you—feeling excited and optimistic about the year ahead.

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20 Aug 2024#76: What to ACTUALLY say to calm students down. 4 steps to resolving bubbling behaviours quickly, so you can get back to teaching.00:18:04

In this episode, I dive into one of the toughest challenges we face as teachers—how to manage a classroom full of students when dysregulated behaviours start bubbling up and escalating. I talk about the key things to remember when students are dysregulated and can’t reason with us, and share my CARE Framework—a practical approach for responding to these situations. The goal? For you to be equipped with actionable classroom management strategies that are aligned with your values of compassion and kindness.

What I discuss in this episode:

  • The challenges of managing escalated student behaviour, especially when juggling other expectations placed upon us as teachers.
  • Why reasoning or punishing doesn’t work when students are in fight, flight, or freeze mode.
  • The importance of depersonalizing student behaviour by understanding it as a search for safety.
  • The CARE Framework for responding to escalating behaviours:
    • C: Communicate the emotion you see in the student.
    • A: Affirm and attend to the student’s feelings.
    • R: Reassure and support the student to reduce fear and anxiety.
    • E: Empower the student with choices while setting clear limits.

Resources mentioned in this episode (all accessible from within The Behaviour Club:

  • The CARE Framework for de-escalating student behaviour.
  • Masterclass on de-escalating big behaviours
  • SEL lesson on understanding the brain
  • Regulation toolbox for students
  • Phone conversation prompts for tough discussions with parents and carers.
  • PEACE process for when behaviours bubble over.

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27 Aug 2024#77: 3 common pieces of behaviour advice teachers get that do more harm than good00:18:07

In this episode, I’m diving into three common pieces of behaviour and classroom management advice that teachers are often given and why we need to stop offering them—at least in the way they’re typically presented.

These bits of advice are frequently thrown around without any meaningful support or practical steps, making them more harmful than helpful. I’ve heard them time and again from colleagues, experts, and social media, but the reality is that they’re often oversimplified and lacking real substance.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why “make your lesson more engaging” can set teachers up to fail without the right strategies
  • The complexities of building student relationships and why it’s more than just “getting to know them”
  • The challenges of “not taking it personally” and how to actually protect your peace in tough situations
  • What advice we should be giving instead and how to better support teachers

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03 Sep 2024#78: Feel like you're constantly repeating instructions? The 3 barriers to students just getting on with it (minus the off-task chatter, blank stares, and million questions)00:21:45

Click here to access your free session on the barriers to giving a task that students get (and get on with)

In today’s episode, I’m unpacking why students might not be listening or following your task instructions. Picture this: hands shoot up, students ask, “What are we doing?” or they sit there doodling, lost in confusion. What’s going on here? I’ll explore the reasons behind this and how understanding them is key to solving the problem.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

  • The assumptions we make that lead to miscommunication.
  • How students’ unique contexts impact their understanding.
  • The importance of clarity in instructions and where we often go wrong.
  • Strategies to make learning visible and consistent in your classroom.
  • Practical tools like timers, checklists, and scaffolds that can transform how students follow instructions.

Want to know a win-win? 

Overcoming these barriers naturally addresses student disengagement, reduces low-level behaviours, and mitigates dysregulated behaviours. The magic of a holistic approach to classroom management!!

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10 Sep 2024#79: 1 simple tool to tackle low-level behaviours, increase engagement, and bust dysregulation.00:19:26

BY POPULAR DEMAND: You can grab the task card template here!

Classroom management is more than just the behaviour, and dealing with low-level disruptive behaviours NEEDS to be more than this to be effective!

In this episode, I'll be exploring (well... more like nerding out on) a simple yet incredibly effective tool to help manage and reduce low-level behaviours in the classroom: the humble task card. I know, I know, but stay with me here.

Many factors contribute to disruptive behaviours, but by using task cards, you can provide clarity, structure, and support that helps students stay on task and reduce stress.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The common reasons behind low-level behaviours, such as students being in a fight, flight, or freeze state, lack of clarity, or low confidence.
  • How task cards can reduce these behaviours by providing clear expectations, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and offering scaffolding for students.
  • Key components of a well-presented task card, including success criteria, checklists, time frames, and prompts.
  • How task cards promote student autonomy and reduce teacher input while boosting engagement.
  • The benefits for both students and teachers when task cards are used effectively.
  • Resources and templates available for Behaviour Club members to easily implement task cards in their classrooms.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand how task cards can transform your classroom management and why they are such a game-changer in addressing low-level behaviours.

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17 Sep 2024#80: The low-down on low-level behaviours: Why they are so tricky and why the advice around them sucks!00:18:56

In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into the frustration of low-level behaviours in the classroom—why they are so tricky to handle and why the advice out there often falls flat. 

This is episode 1 of a big focus on low-level behaviours this month, so be sure to follow along for the rest if this is a big challenge for you in your practice!

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • My personal experiences with low-level behaviours and why I’m so passionate about this topic - hellooooo shaking our confidence and fuelling feelings of hopelessness!
  • The flawed advice (that's putting it kindly) teachers often receive around handling low-level disruptions and why it doesn't work. After all, we can't make 30 phone calls a day, and we are TRYING to engage them!
  • What actually defines a low-level behaviour and why these behaviours fall into a “grey area.”
  • What you can do differently to break the cycle of frustration and regain control in your classroom.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why low-level behaviors are so hard to tackle and a few actionable insights to start making a real change in your classroom.

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24 Sep 2024#81: 3 common mistakes that fuel low-level disruptions, and the immediate fixes that transform behaviour!00:19:43

Take the quiz - What's your teacher type?! (Putting this right up top because I know that's why you came to the description)

In today's episode I’ll be walking you through three mistakes you might unknowingly be making that can fuel these low-level behaviour spotfires. Now, I say “might be,” but let’s be real—after observing hundreds of lessons, I can tell you with certainty that these sneaky habits tend to creep into even the most experienced classrooms, and yes, I’ve been guilty of them too!

But here’s the good news—once you recognize these patterns and make a few simple adjustments, you’ll start seeing real changes. And let me assure you, I’m sharing this from a place of experience, not perfection. I’ve made all these mistakes myself, and I’m still learning every day. So let’s dive in, get reflective, and find those empowering “ah-ha” moments together!

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why matching the volume of your students can backfire and lead to more disruption
  • How talking while expecting students to focus on independent work sends mixed signals
  • Why handing out materials during instruction can undo your efforts to get students to listen
  • The impact of non-verbal cues and mixed messaging in your classroom management
  • Practical tips to reduce low-level behaviours and increase student focus

I hope this episode gives you some clarity and maybe even a few "ah-ha" moments! Remember, every teacher—myself included—has fallen into these traps at some point. The important thing is that you’re aware, and with just a few small tweaks, you can start seeing big shifts in your classroom.

Please don’t feel like you have to be perfect! Teaching is all about growing, learning, and adjusting as we go. If any of these points hit home for you, take it as a sign of progress, not a failure. You’ve got this!

And if you’re ready to dive deeper and tackle low-level behaviours head-on, I’d love to have you join me in the Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp. Together, we’ll work on building a calm, effective teaching presence that fits your natural style, so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling empowered. You’re already doing amazing things in the classroom, and this is just one more tool to add to your toolkit!

Thank you so much for listening today. If something resonated with you or if you’ve tried one of the strategies and seen some success, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a message—let’s keep the conversation going!

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30 Sep 2024#82: Discover your teacher type! AND find out what this means for your classroom management.00:18:47

Take the quiz! What's your teacher type?!

Ever wondered why some classroom management strategies work wonders for others but fall flat for you? In today’s episode, we’re delving deep into the heart of teaching styles and uncovering what makes you uniquely you in the classroom. 

I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of my "What is Your Teacher Type?" quiz and showing you how this simple tool can unlock powerful insights into your teaching strengths and challenges.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

  • The real story behind why I created the "What is Your Teacher Type?" quiz and how it’s already helping thousands of teachers like you understand their classroom superpowers.
  • Why the one-size-fits-all approach to classroom management simply doesn’t cut it and how understanding your unique style can change everything.
  • An exclusive breakdown of the four distinct teacher types: the Dynamic Teacher, the Quiet Teacher, the Empathetic Teacher, and the Authority Figure—along with some real-life examples to help you see where you fit.


Ready to discover your teaching type and take your classroom practice to the next level? It’s time to stop trying to fit into someone else’s mould and embrace your true self as an educator.

Take the quiz now, and feel validated and confident with who you are in the classroom! 

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07 Oct 2024#83: How to craft a strong teaching presence that transforms those constant low-level disruptions (almost like flipping a switch, no exaggeration!)00:20:45

In this episode, I’m diving into one of THE most transformative strategies for managing low-level disruptions—almost like flipping a switch. I'll explore how your teaching presence, especially through non-verbal communication, can significantly shift classroom behaviour. It’s not about doing one thing—it’s about everything you do.

Listen in as I discuss:

  • What even is a strong teaching presence?
  • Understanding the power of non-verbal communication in classroom management
  • The difference between "credible" and "approachable" teacher presence and when to use each
  • How small changes in body language, tone, and stillness can immediately impact behavior
  • Practical examples of adjusting your teaching style for better student engagement
  • The importance of aligning your body language with the expectations you set for students

This episode is packed with actionable strategies that can transform how you manage your classroom. If you’re tired of the constant chatter and low-level disruptions, listen in as I share the non-verbal techniques that changed everything for me—and they can for you too!

Join the Low Level Behaviour Bootcamp and get 20% off with the code PODCAST20

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10 Oct 2024#84: BEHAVIOUR BITE: Students will always follow our example, before they follow our instructions.00:03:54

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Behaviour Bites! Every Thursday (in addition to my main-course episode on Tuesday) I’ll be delivering one quick tip each week that you can put into action immediately to help you crush your classroom management!

TODAY'S BEHAVIOUR BITE:
Students will always follow our example, before they follow our instruction.

Listen in as I talk through this bite, and give you your actionable takeaway!

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14 Oct 2024#85: Teach students THIS about behaviour to help them reflect, take accountability, and feel empowered to make lasting positive change.00:19:41

You’ve probably heard the phrase, "Behaviours are students meeting a need." In this episode, I’m diving into what that actually really means for your classroom and how understanding the needs behind student behaviour can transform your management approach.

Listen in as I discuss:

  • Glasser’s 5 basic needs and how they drive behaviour (survival, love/belonging, fun, power/mastery, and freedom)
  • How unmet needs can lead to challenging behaviours in the classroom
  • Core principles of Choice Theory
  • The importance of embedding strategies into your practice that meet students' needs
  • How empowering students with an understanding of their own behaviours changes classroom dynamics

When students understand the needs driving their behaviour, it shifts everything—discussions, dynamics, accountability, and even how they view themselves. To help foster that awareness, start here:

  • Have a discussion with students (as a class or individually)
  • Make them aware they have five basic needs
  • Explain that everyone has these needs and is constantly trying to meet them
  • Acknowledge that sometimes we make poor choices while trying to meet our needs
  • Emphasize that they aren’t “bad,” and they aren’t defined by their behaviors
  • Highlight that we are all just doing the best we can
  • Encourage awareness of their needs and choices
  • Explain that with awareness, they can make positive changes

If you want to go deeper than this, I’ve done the work for you! I’ve created a fully resourced, engaging, and editable SEL lesson designed to help students not only understand their needs but also reflect on their behaviours and make positive changes. Grab it here!

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17 Oct 2024#86: BEHAVIOUR BITE: Avoid locking horns.... at ALL costs. Here's how.00:05:38

Welcome to the second Behaviour Bite! Every Thursday (in addition to my main-course episode on Tuesday) I’ll be delivering one quick tip that you can put into action immediately to help you crush your classroom management!

TODAY'S BEHAVIOUR BITE:
Avoid locking horns... at all costs.

Listen in as I talk through this bite, and give you your actionable takeaway!


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28 Oct 2024#87: Struggling to have some students even START their work? Here’s what to know (and do)00:20:15

In today’s episode, we’re diving into how building a growth mindset culture can be transformative in our classrooms. We’ll look at how fixed mindsets hold students back, especially when past experiences or fears of failure keep them from fully engaging in learning. 

Through this episode, Ill explore practical ways to build self-belief, helping students see challenges as chances to grow and celebrating their efforts along the way. These strategies are all about creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and willing to try.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • What might be going on for students who seem reluctant to engage
  • How past failures can lead to fixed mindsets and avoidance
  • Practical ways to create a growth mindset culture in the classroom
  • Ideas for embedding growth mindset language into daily discussions and activities
  • Why it’s important to celebrate effort rather than results

If you’re looking to go deeper, I’ve put together a Growth Mindset Bundle filled with resources to support you in building this culture daily. It’s all designed to help take the guesswork out of fostering a growth mindset in your classroom, with editable lesson plans, bulletin boards, and posters that reinforce these ideas. I’d love for you to have these tools on hand, ready to support your students’ growth (without spending 2 weeks putting it together like I did 😂😂

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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05 Nov 2024#88: How to nail the first 5 minutes of every lesson by controlling what you CAN control!00:19:23

Are you struggling with having a settled start to the lesson? Battling dysregulation and high energy?

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the importance of the First 5—those critical first five minutes of each lesson. 

This time can make all the difference in shifting energy from the chaos of transitions to a calm, focused learning environment. We’ll dive into practical strategies for creating an “invisible barrier” that allows students to enter a space primed for learning, leaving the outside energy at the door.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why the start of lessons can feel chaotic: From dysregulation and unpredictability to the residual energy of breaks, many factors beyond our control impact students’ readiness.
  • What we can control: We’ll go over strategies for creating routines, setting expectations, and managing the physical environment to help students transition smoothly.
  • Three essential routines for the First 5: I’ll share my personal non-negotiables that create consistency and predictability every day:
    • Same welcome spot—Greeting students outside to create a transition from the hallway energy.
    • Same seating arrangement—Reducing guesswork and enhancing predictability.
    • Same starter routine—A consistent, engaging start to every lesson that signals it’s time to focus.



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07 Nov 2024#89: BEHAVIOUR BITE: On average, teachers pause for... (🤚 Guilty)00:05:20

Today’s Behaviour Bite is all about a simple yet powerful practice: asking and pausing—for much longer than you (probably) already do.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The common tendency among teachers to rush through questions: After asking if there are any questions, many of us move on immediately, often before giving students a chance to respond. Research shows that the average pause is just 0.9 seconds—far too short for effective processing.
  • Understanding different types of thinkers: Some students process information internally, while others think out loud. Those who need time to reflect often don’t feel comfortable speaking up if we don’t allow enough pause. By waiting longer, we create space for all students to formulate their thoughts and questions.
  • The impact of extended wait times: Studies indicate that 5-15 seconds of silence can significantly enhance student engagement and response quality. For example, when giving instructions, you can say, “Okay Year 8, before we get started, what questions do you have? I’ll give you 10 seconds to think.” This approach encourages deeper reflection and more meaningful contributions.

This week, challenge yourself to extend your pauses when asking questions or giving instructions. Tune in to how much time you currently provide and consciously increase it. Observe how this impacts your students' clarity and the depth of their responses during discussions.



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12 Nov 2024#90: What to do when students come to class late (whilst still keeping things cool, calm, and collected!)00:21:32

You’ve FINALLY gotten your students settled and started at the start of the lesson… cue… the disruptive latecomer!

This month on the podcast, I'm focusing on the first five minutes of each lesson—the foundation of a calm, connected start. However, even with a solid roadmap that guides teachers in creating a smooth start with key strategies, like shifting students’ energy through entry routines, engaging starters, and seamless transitions... there's one big wrench that can throw off this plan: when students arrive late. 

In this episode, we’ll dive into why students might be late and practical steps to get them on track without disrupting the flow.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The many reasons behind lateness: Beyond just "running late," chronic lateness can stem from factors like family routines, neurodivergence (e.g., ADHD or autism), and executive function challenges. We also touch on how needs-based motivation can play into students’ timing.
  • Practical steps to manage late arrivals: I share ways to welcome students in without disrupting the rest of the class. 
  • How to increase accountability and connection through private follow-ups: For repeated lateness, I discuss questions and prompts that encourage students to reflect on the reasons behind their lateness, explore if it’s in their control, and collaboratively make a plan to help them improve.
  • Low-stakes latecomer tasks and routines: My top tips for engaging students that are late, without derailing the lesson.

Late arrivals don’t always have to disrupt your lesson flow!! You just need the right tools to approach them consistently, and calmly.



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14 Nov 2024#91: BEHAVIOUR BITE: Let the visuals do the talking to avoid confrontation, change the tone, and increase buy-in!00:06:18

Do you often find yourself reminding the same students about the same expectations? It’s draining, and it can start to feel personal, leading to unnecessary confrontations.

Here’s a simple shift that can transform this dynamic:

Make it about the visual. NOT about you!

Instead of verbally repeating instructions, point to a visual cue on the wall, like a poster of class expectations or a checklist. This shifts the focus from “you vs. me” to a shared goal that everyone can see.

In this episode, we look at simple visuals—like classroom norms posters, voice level charts, and “Steps for Success” checklists—that can transform your classroom dynamic. With just a quick gesture, you’re reinforcing standards without confrontation, helping students take more responsibility and saving your energy.



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19 Nov 2024#92: The (seemingly) simple strategy that has the power to MAKE or BREAK the start of your lesson.00:18:59

You’ve finally set the stage for a productive lesson… and then the chaos begins!

This month on the podcast, we’re honing in on those critical first five minutes—the bedrock of an engaging and settled classroom environment.

I’ll be outlining key strategies to help you create a smooth start, including how to shift students’ energy with entry routines and effective starter activities.

But what happens if you don’t engage your students right away? Something else will!

In this episode, we’ll explore the importance of starter activities and how they can either make or break your lesson’s flow.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The role of starter activities: These brief, independent tasks serve as the hook to draw students into the lesson. They need to be achievable, explicit, and timed perfectly to set a positive tone.
  • Common mistakes with starter activities: I highlight pitfalls to avoid, such as relying on prior knowledge, requiring too much explanation, or lacking relevance to students’ interests.
  • How consistency builds trust: Establishing a predictable routine helps students feel secure and ready to learn as they enter the classroom.
  • Effective starter activity examples: I share ideas like imaginative prompts that connect students to the lesson and concept-based tasks that allow for differentiated engagement.

GRAB MY 250+ AGENDA SLIDES WITH STARTERS HERE!




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21 Nov 2024#93: BEHAVIOUR BITE: What messages might your classroom be sending to your students, and how can you make sure it is working FOR you, not AGAINST you!?00:05:31

When we think of classroom management, our minds often jump to techniques and strategies we implement with our students. However, the most effective management often occurs even before they enter the room. In today’s behaviour bite, I’ll discuss the crucial role of the physical classroom environment itself. It can serve as an invaluable teaching assistant or become a significant roadblock.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The impact of a clean and clutter-free classroom: A tidy environment sends powerful non-verbal messages to students about expectations, respect, and focus.
  • The consequences of a messy space: When students enter a chaotic room, they may internalise the belief that cleanliness and respect for the learning environment don’t matter.
  • The benefits of a well-organised classroom: A neat setup with resources ready and a clear agenda helps establish a positive tone and reinforces the importance of taking care of the space.
  • Action steps to improve your classroom environment: I challenge you to reflect on the messages your space conveys and implement one small change this week to create a more supportive learning atmosphere.

By making these intentional adjustments, you can help your students feel anchored and ready to learn. These small changes will bolster your classroom management and foster a culture where all students work together to maintain a positive learning environment.



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26 Nov 2024#94: What to do when students are barely showing up to class? Breaking the cycle of non-attendance with compassion, not consequences.00:18:56

Are your students arriving late or missing class altogether?

In this episode, we’ll explore why punitive measures often backfire and how they can alienate the very students who need connection the most.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The pitfalls of punishment: While it may seem like a way to enforce attendance, punishment can foster resentment and disconnect, driving students further away from the classroom.
  • Understanding the reasons behind absenteeism: Many factors influencing attendance are beyond the students’ control, including personal circumstances and mental health challenges.
  • The importance of compassionate expectations: It’s crucial to maintain high standards while approaching students with empathy and understanding.
  • 5 Practical strategies for improving attendance with understanding, compassion and reflection.

The key takeaway from this episode is clear: we cannot lecture or punish our way to better attendance. Instead, we must focus on connection, celebrating progress, and having difficult yet supportive conversations.



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28 Nov 2024#95: BEHAVIOUR BITE: When you chat to students about their behaviour, are you lecturing, or guiding? The difference it makes is HUGE!00:05:08

Imagine being 12 years old and feeling lost in a classroom. School has always been a struggle, and instead of admitting your confusion, you become the class clown, distracting yourself and your friends. When the teacher calls you out, you know the drill—nod along and wait for the inevitable lecture. 

That lecture? Like water off a duck’s back!

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The cycle of disengagement: Lecturing students about their behaviour often leads them to tune out, allowing them to avoid taking real accountability. This just perpetuates the same patterns when they return to class.
  • Shifting from lecturing to guiding: By using strategic questions, we can encourage students to reflect on their actions and understand the impact of their behaviour.
  • Empowering student reflection: When students contribute to the conversation, they become active participants in their own learning and behaviour management, rather than passive recipients of criticism.

This week, observe your language when discussing behaviour with students:

  • Are you talking more than listening?
  • Are you telling more than asking?
  • Challenge yourself to become a guide instead of a lecturer. 

Notice how this shift influences your conversations and helps students take ownership of their actions.



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04 Dec 2024#96: 3 classroom games that are fun, easy, and can be used at a pinch to channel that end-of-year energy!!00:20:57

Are you feeling the strain of the end-of-year chaos in the classroom?

“My students are apathetic and completely checked out!”
“Chattiness, off-task behaviours, and disruptions are at an all-time high!”
“Some behaviour has majorly escalated!”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

The combination of tired students, tired teachers, heightened excitement, and a lack of routine can wreak havoc on behaviour. But with a little prep (and a few no-prep strategies), you can channel that energy effectively—and get to the end of the year... dare I say, not just surviving, but thriving!!

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why this time of year is so challenging: Understanding the factors behind the end-of-year chaos.
  • Three go-to games you can use in a pinch to upregulate or downregulate student energy, all while keeping the classroom fun and functional.
  • How to lean into the festive energy: Tips for embracing the chaos while controlling what you can control.


Grab the brain break bundle: 6 games (600+ questions) to use each and every day to channel energy, build rapport, boost engagement, and encourage a positive, connected, class community. 


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05 Dec 2024#97: Do your classroom celebrations turn to CHAOS?! Here's what to do to get festive without the fear of mayhem.00:05:56

Ever had a class party or more relaxed and unstructured activities spiral into mayhem??? That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, it just means you need to do it right! 

In today's bite I take you through how adding structure to your festive plans can keep things fun, calm, and enjoyable for everyone (yourself included!).


IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why end-of-year celebrations can feel overwhelming: Understanding what makes this time of year tricky.
  • How to pair fun with predictability: Simple strategies to create structure while still enjoying the moment.
  • Practical engagement tips: Ideas to keep students focused and reduce chaos during activities.

Celebrate away, but remember: Pair the party with predictability 🎄



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10 Dec 2024#98: 5 questions to ask your students today to foster an attitude of gratitude!00:12:33

As we near the end of the term, the classroom energy can get... let's say, a little extra. Sound familiar? 😉 That’s why this week, I want to share 5 powerful  questions you can ask your students to foster an attitude of gratitude while bringing focus and positivity into the room.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why gratitude is powerful: The benefits for both students and teachers.
  • 5 key questions to foster an attitude of gratitude: Easy, thought-provoking prompts that spark connection and reflection.
  • How to make gratitude work for all students: Ideas for engagement, even for those reluctant to participate.


HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS IN ONE PLACE:

  1. What is something that you are glad for every day?
  2. Look around the classroom and find one object you are grateful for. Why?
  3. When was the last time you belly laughed?
  4. What do you most look forward to when you wake up in the morning?
  5. What’s one thing that makes you say, ‘I’m glad to be me’?

Pro tip: Model your own answers to these questions first—it helps students think creatively and feel comfortable sharing!

If you’re in the Behaviour Club, check out this month’s Gratitude Resource Pack! It’s packed with 29 conversation cards, gratitude bingo, and task cards to help embed these ideas into your classroom.

Not in The Behaviour Club? You can grab those resources separately here!


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12 Dec 2024#99: The holidays aren't fun for everyone, which is why those behaviours might be on the rise!00:06:02

The festive season can be a fun time for us as teachers, and our students—but not for everyone. While many of us are busy planning celebrations and gifts, some of our students face unique challenges. For them, the holiday season might bring stress, instability, or hardship. In this episode, I offer a compassionate reminder about the reality some of our students face and how we, as educators, can make a difference in their experience.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • The reality of the holiday season for some students – why it’s not a joyful time for everyone.
  • The impact of the holidays on student behaviour – understanding increased reactivity, withdrawal, and emotional dysregulation.
  • Practical steps to support students during this season – strategies for consistency, connection, and fostering felt-safety in your classroom.

The holidays can highlight the disparity in experiences among students, and for some, your classroom might be the only consistent, safe space they know. By recognising this and doubling down on your routines, expectations, and community-building, you can offer them much-needed stability. 

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