The Unteachables Podcast

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The Unteachables Podcast

Claire English

119 episodes

3 days ago

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...

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Self-Improvement

All content for The Unteachables Podcast is the property of Claire English and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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...

Show more...

Self-Improvement

Episodes (20/119)

The Unteachables Podcast

#118: The number one reason you’re finding behaviour tough right now

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...

3 days ago

15 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#117: What to prioritise when big behaviours bubble up in the lesson.

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...

2 weeks ago

8 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#116: Quick Win Challenge! 5 brilliant behaviour reflection strategies you can start using immediately

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...

3 weeks ago

8 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#115: Brain breaks are my secret sauce for student engagement. Here are my 3 I can't live without!

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...

3 weeks ago

13 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#114: Quick Win Challenge! Use this technique for smooth, stress-free, and energy-saving transitions.

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...

4 weeks ago

3 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#113: 1 powerful shift to make in your behaviour chats to create more change

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...

1 month ago

11 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#112: Quick Win Challenge! How to get students to care about the consequence (and why their buy-in definitely matters)

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...

1 month ago

7 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#111: What moving countries with a toddler reinforced about classroom management and behaviour.

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...

1 month ago

14 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#110: Is a 40-hour work week achievable for teachers? Today's guest Angela Watson says YES!

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 ...

1 month ago

38 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#109: Quick Win Challenge! When behaviour happens, stop and ask this one question.

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...

1 month ago

5 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#108: "Shut up miss, you're a sh!t teacher, your lessons suck!" How to respond when behaviours get really personal.

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...

1 month ago

21 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#107: Quick Win Challenge! Put it on a Post-it.

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...

1 month ago

5 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#106: Steal these 10 exit tasks for better engagement, behaviour, and calm end to the lesson.

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...

1 month ago

12 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#105: Quick Win Challenge! Pick up the phone.

In this episode, I explore one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in your emotional piggybank investment toolkit: positive phone calls home. These small acts of connection can have a monumental impact! IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why positive phone calls are a game-changer, including how they build trust and transform relationships with students and their families.The impact on students who display challenging behaviours, explaining why these children often miss out on positive recogniti...

2 months ago

4 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#104: My 3 non-negotiable exit routines to make the final 15 minutes feel less like crowd control

Does this sound familiar? The final moments of your lesson feel chaotic... unfinished, rushed work, students hovering by the door, mess everywhere, disruption, noise, and disorganisation leaving you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated? If this sounds all too familiar, you are not alone. The good news is that with consistent, simple exit routines, you can transition out of your lesson calmly and purposefully without feeling like a bouncer at the door. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: 1. Why ex...

2 months ago

17 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#103: Quick Win Challenge! The power of hello.

This week’s challenge is all about warm welcomes. While it sounds simple, doing it with intention and consistency can completely transform the culture and community in your classroom.IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why warm welcomes matter, and how greeting each student contributes to their emotional piggy bank, boosts buy-in, and improves behaviour.The power of routines, and why predictability helps students come to class more regulated and ready to learn.Breaking negative cycles, and how a consi...

2 months ago

7 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#102: How to make this year more positive for ‘that’ student (and of course, for you)

Do you have a student who feels impossible to reach? You're not alone. As the summer holidays wind down, you might find yourself thinking about that student. They’re the one you’ve struggled with before, or the one whose reputation precedes them. It’s tough, and it’s okay to admit that. The good news is that you have the power to press the reset button and make this year better for them and for you.In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you break the cycle of negativity and...

2 months ago

15 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#101: My 3 non-negotiables for the first week back at school. How to set strong expectations students follow AND still smile before Easter!

Are you heading back to school and wondering how to set expectations that your students will actually follow, all while building a positive classroom culture? You’re not alone, my friend! This is the top question I’ve been asked by teachers! In today’s episode, I’m tackling how to balance expectation-setting and relationship-building right from the start of the school year. Spoiler alert: yes, you can smile before Easter and still set boundaries that your students respect. Whether you’re feel...

2 months ago

23 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#100: Goodbye, 2024!! Reflections on rest, filling our cups, and how to return to school in 2025 feeling like "you" again.

Episode 100!!! (AND the last episode of 2024) is both a reflection and a reminder—a moment to pause and think about what truly fills your cup during the holidays. Teaching can be all-consuming, and it’s vital to find ways to not just rest but to feel rejuvenated and reconnected with yourself.IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why resting isn’t always enough – the difference between rest and rejuvenation.The 5 basic needs cups from choice theory – love and belonging, fun, survival, mastery and power, ...

3 months ago

14 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

#99: The holidays aren't fun for everyone, which is why those behaviours might be on the rise!

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...

3 months ago

6 minutes

The Unteachables Podcast

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...