Behaviour as Learning: A Fresh Perspective for Educators

Rather than reacting to misbehaviour, what if we approached it with the same planning and intention we bring to teaching literacy and numeracy in the classroom? 

In this episode, behaviour expert Dr Russ Fox and school leader Karina Stocker explain why behaviour should be treated as a skill - explicitly taught, consistently reinforced, and supported through clear expectations and structured routines. From embedding multi-tiered support systems (MTSS) to practical coaching and playbooks, they share how teachers and schools can build consistency, strengthen culture and support every learner.  

Whether you’re working within a whole-school framework or applying these principles in your own classroom, this episode offers grounded, practical strategies to help reduce the guesswork and make behaviour support sustainable. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why behaviour should be taught, not managed - and what that looks like in practice.
• The key principles of a multi-tiered support system (MTSS).
• How school-wide consistency improves both learning and behaviour.
• Practical strategies teachers can use when working without whole-school frameworks.
• What real support for teachers looks like - and why they shouldn’t go it alone

Topics we explore:

(00:00) Introduction to Positive Behaviour Support
(02:16) Effective Approach to Behaviour Support
(02:55) Building Whole-School Systems and Consistency
(05:28) Support for Teacher Success
(07:12) Understanding Tiered Support Systems
(09:54) Building Relationships Through Behaviour Teaching
(11:05) Behaviour Is a Curriculum That Can Be Taught
(14:19) Setting Up Environments for Learner Success
(18:25) Helpful Environmental Starting Points
(20:57) Managing Teacher Workload and Practice
(24:37) Building Systems That Support Teachers
(30:43) Instructional and Daily Routines for Success
(32:46) Using Extrinsic Supports to Build Intrinsic Motivation
(33:32) Final Reflections on Teaching Behaviour

Resources: 

• Positive Classroom Management Strategies - Victorian Department of Education 
• US Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Guide on Supporting and Responding to Student’s Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Needs: Evidence-Based Practices for Educators (2025)
• The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) resources on classroom management practices,
• Monash Teachspace Article: How to develop effective behaviour support plans in schools
   
• Research paper: Using Data to Support Educators’ Implementation of Positive Classroom Behavior Support (PCBS) Practices (2019)
• Research paper: Between the lines: Integrating the science of reading and the science of behavior to improve reading outcomes for Australian children (2024)
   
• Working paper: Addressing the gaps in teacher preparation: A one-size-fits-all approach does not exist

Special Guests: 

Dr Russ Fox
Lecturer, School of Educational Psychology & Counselling
Faculty of Education, Monash University
Connect with Russ on LinkedIn

Karina Stocker 
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Leader,
Docklands Primary School, Melbourne 
Educational Consultant, Teacher and PhD Candidate
Connect with Karina on LinkedIn and X

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We are grateful for the support of Monash University’s Faculty of Education in producing this podcast.