This week I’m doing something a little different – answering your questions! I asked over on Instagram what you needed support with when it comes to behaviour, and wow… you delivered. In this episode, I’m giving practical advice for three of the big ones: What to do when students gang up on you How to motivate learners who refuse to try How to manage the class clown without losing the roomThese aren’t fluffy hypotheticals – they’re the actual struggles you’re navigating day...

You’ve followed the advice. You’ve implemented the strategies. You’ve worked your heart out – and still, that one student just isn’t responding. It feels hopeless. Like nothing’s shifting. Like all your effort is for nothing. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’ve tried everything, and it’s not working,” this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why your strategies are working, even when it doesn’t feel like itThe importance of patience when working with our most vuln...

One thing nobody tells you before you step into a classroom is just how much behaviour will challenge you. Not just your strategies. You. Your nervous system. Your confidence. Your sense of self. In this episode, I’m talking about what it really feels like to manage behaviour in the moment – especially when you’re young, new, or not naturally loud or assertive. And I’ll walk you through some of the exact strategies I used to build confidence in my classroom management without changing who I a...

Students telling you who deserves a detention or questioning why you didn’t sanction someone? It’s frustrating, undermining – and it adds to the noise when you’re already handling behaviour. If this culture is creeping into your classroom, this episode will guide you on what to do next! IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why this dynamic is so frustrating – and so commonHow to break the cycle with a calm, clear class resetWhat to say when students start calling out behaviour decisionsWhy stand...

If you’re drowning in behaviour… If you’re thinking, “I actually can’t keep doing this”… If you’re exhausted from trying everything and nothing’s sticking… You are not alone. And you are not the problem. Confidence in classroom management can come with time and experience. But often, it doesn’t. That’s why I created a clear path forward. In this episode, I’m walking you through the four steps of my Classroom Compass Approach – a simple structure I designed to help teachers move from overwhe...

You’re trying to support every student – but the second you lean in to help one, the rest of the class starts to drift. The volume rises. The off-task behaviour begins. And you feel pulled in every direction. It’s overwhelming. It’s exhausting. And it’s not sustainable. In this episode, we break down why this keeps happening – and what to do instead. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why teaching and behaviour management can’t be separatedThe number one trap teachers fall into when trying to suppor...

Calm corners look great online – but in reality? Students can ignore them, misuse them, or turn them into a hangout spot. You’re left wondering if they’re even worth it in a busy secondary classroom where time, space, and structure are limited. You want to support emotional regulation, but not at the expense of learning. I’ll take you through how I create calm spaces that actually support self-regulation – without turning your classroom into a free-for-all – and how I embed emotional literacy...

You’re not failing at behaviour because you’re “just not cut out for it.” And no, it’s not because you don’t have that magic voice or commanding presence either. The truth? Most of us simply weren’t taught how to manage behaviour effectively. And it shows – not because we’re not trying hard enough, but because no one gave us the tools to begin with. In this episode, I’m taking you right back to where it all began for me: the whopping 20 minutes of behaviour training I received across two degr...

You're in the middle of a lesson, focused on delivering content, when a student walks in displaying behaviours that signal things are about to escalate. Maybe they look angry, and you know they have the potential to become physical. Maybe they’re swearing, laughing, and trying to draw in the rest of the class. Maybe they walk in and tip over a chair. Your brain immediately goes into survival mode. You feel the pressure to fix the situation, regain control, and keep the lesson on track. It’s c...

When I engage with students about their behaviour, it’s often just a conversation between us. But sometimes, having a structured reflection task can make a huge difference. Reflection is a skill that needs to be taught, modelled, and practised. These tasks help students problem-solve, build self-awareness, and develop emotional regulation. In this episode, I’m sharing five different reflection strategies that can guide students through conflict, help them process their behaviour, and encourag...

Check out my Brain Break Bundle! As a secondary English teacher, I used to struggle with the idea of brain breaks. The pressure to get through content and prepare students for exams felt too overwhelming to justify stopping for “games.” But my classroom culture was suffering. Students were stressed, disengaged, and burnt out—especially during heavy writing sessions leading up to exams. So I decided to try something different. When I started embedding brain breaks into my lessons, I immediatel...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a simple yet powerful transition technique that can help you regain student attention without raising your voice or using unnecessary energy. Transitions can be one of the trickiest parts of classroom management. Picture this: students are engaged in a group task, there’s movement, chatter, and productive chaos, but now you need to bring them back to whole-class instruction. Rather than calling for attention repeatedly, try this: Play transition music—a predete...

One of the most powerful shifts we can make when addressing student behaviour is to stop lecturing and start leading. Instead of telling students what they did wrong, we need to ask the right questions to guide them toward reflection, accountability, and change. Lecturing rarely leads to buy-in. It is one of William Glasser’s seven disconnecting habits, and without realising it, we often fall into this trap—especially in the heat of the moment. The result? Students tune out, nod along without...

There are strong opinions when it comes to consequences in schools. Some believe in strict enforcement—"do the crime, do the time"—while others advocate for restorative conversations and plans. Regardless of approach, one thing remains essential: we need student buy-in for consequences to be effective. Without buy-in, consequences lose their impact. The students who struggle the most are often already expecting punishments like detention or suspension. They wear a mask that says, "I don’t car...

In this episode, I reflect on my recent move from New Zealand to Australia and the unexpected lessons it reinforced about classroom management. Moving is always challenging, but relocating with a toddler highlighted the profound impact of predictability and structure on behaviour. This experience reaffirmed a key classroom management principle: predictability is the brain’s best friend. I explore how structured routines, such as entry and exit procedures, transition cues, and scaffoldin...

Feeling overwhelmed by endless lesson planning and grading? Struggling to maintain work-life balance? Unsure how AI can help lighten your workload? In this episode, I chat with the incredible Angela Watson, veteran educator, instructional coach, and creator of the Truth for Teachers podcast. Angela has spent years helping teachers streamline their workload and reclaim their time. We discuss her 40-Hour Teacher Workweek program, the power of AI for productivity, and practical strategies ...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a personal story that shaped how I approach behaviour and relationships in the classroom, and how a single moment of connection can shift everything. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: A deeply personal story from my school days: How one teacher’s unexpected response broke down my tough exterior.Why connection is key: The profound impact of showing care and curiosity over control.Practical ways to connect with your students: Simple phrases to use when addressing chall...

WARNING: This episode has a lot of swearing in it!! Dealing with the challenging behaviours are never easy, especially when they feel personal. That's why in today's episode, I wanted to talk through one of my own experiences, how I dealt with it, and the lessons we can take away. SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Connection First: Even when behaviour feels personal or triggering, prioritise connection as it de-escalates and opens the door to change.Context Matters: There is no one-si...

Do you feel stuck in a constant cycle of addressing challenging behaviour in the classroom? What if there was a small, intentional act that could shift the focus, rebuild trust, and nurture the emotional wellbeing of your most challenging students? In this episode of Quick Wins, we explore a simple yet powerful strategy called Positive Post-Its. This small action has the potential to create profound changes for both you and your students. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why students with challeng...

Exit tasks Exit slips Plenaries Whatever you want to call them... ...they are SO much more than just a tool to consolidate learning or tick off reflection and self-assessment boxes. When used effectively, they: 👉 Reinforce engagement and behaviour expectations. 👉 Encourage work completion by becoming part of your routine. 👉 Show students you care if they engage or finish their work!! However, in reality... Students can quickly become bored of them because the language is the same. It can fee...