The Unteachables Podcast
Welcome to 'The Unteachables Podcast', your go-to resource for practical classroom management strategies and teacher support. I’m your host, Claire English, a passionate secondary teacher and leader turned teacher mentor and author of 'It's Never Just About the Behaviour: A Holistic Approach to Classroom Behaviour Management.' I'm on a mission to help educators like you transform your classrooms, build confidence, and feel empowered.
Why am I here? Not too long ago, I was overwhelmed by low-level classroom disruptions and challenging behaviors. After thousands of hours honing my skills in real classrooms and navigating ups and downs, I’ve become a confident, capable teacher ready to reach every student—even those with the most challenging behaviors. My journey inspired me to support teachers like you in mastering effective classroom strategies that promote compassion, confidence, and calm.
On The Unteachables Podcast, we’ll dive into simple, actionable strategies that you can use to handle classroom disruptions, boost student engagement, and create a positive learning environment.
You'll hear from renowned experts such as:
Bobby Morgan of the Liberation Lab
Marie Gentles, behavior expert behind BBC's 'Don't Exclude Me' and author of 'Gentles Guidance'
Robyn Gobbel, author of 'Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviours'
Dr. Lori Desautels, assistant professor and published author
And many more behaviour experts and mentors.
Angela Watson from the Truth for Teachers Podcast.
Whether you’re an early career teacher, a seasoned educator, or a teaching assistant navigating classroom challenges, this podcast is here to help you feel happier, empowered, and ready to make an impact with every student.
Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode packed with classroom tips and inspiring conversations that make a real difference!
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 22 minutes
- Episodes
- 140
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
#139: The exit routine your class [and you] desperately needs
Let’s talk about the part of the lesson where the wheels often fall off — the final five minutes.
You know the one. The bell's about to go, some students are packing up early, others are zoning out, …
#138: Brain breaks that secretly boost behaviour (and help us reclaim a bit of teaching joy in the classroom)
Ever feel like your class is one brain snap away from absolute chaos… or just asleep at the wheel?
In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most powerful — and wildly underused — cla…
#137: Feel like you need to split into 30 trying to support the whole room? This tool changes everything.
The task strategy that will change your classroom (even if you’re running on fumes)
Ever feel like the second you set your students off on a task, it’s like you’ve got to split into ten different vers…
#136: The entry routine that is magic for low-level disruption! The power of learning maps
Join the Kickstart: https://www.the-unteachables.com/kickstart
If your lessons feel like a sprint uphill from the very first bell... kids trickling in, backpacks still on, everyone chatting while you’…
#135: Is your teaching presence undermining your classroom management?
Why Your Presence Might Be Undermining Your Classroom Management (And How to Fix It)
Ever felt like you're being too nice... or not taken seriously enough in your classroom?
Like you're walking a tight…
#134: Bullying in the classroom?! 😖 How to talk to your students about it in a way that gets them listening, empathising, and creating change!
Ever had a student yell "I'M BEING BULLIED!" when their friend won’t let them borrow a pencil? Meanwhile, real, insidious bullying is flying under the radar?
HEAD TO THE BLOG HERE FOR ACTIVITIES + MOR…
#133: Flipping your lid! The concept that changed everything about the way I responded to students in the middle of a meltdown.
What’s actually happening when your student flips their lid?
And more importantly… what should you be doing when it happens?
HEAD TO THE BLOG HERE FOR VISUALS + MORE 😁
In this episode, I’m giving you a…
#132: The No-BS Back to School Breakdown! Exactly what I do lesson-by-lesson in Week 1 to build rapport, set expectations, and create routines that stick.
Back to school?! Whaaaaaaat?!
If your first thought seeing this episode pop up was “Claire, I am still sipping margaritas and pretending I’ve never even heard of a seating plan,” I get it. 😅
But if you…
#131: 4 sobering statistics that prove that teaching is the hardest, and most important job in the world.
TW: Mention of self-harm and suicide
Ever left school feeling completely wrung out, wondering if you’re even cut out for this job?
Same. And in this episode, I’m opening the curtain on one of the most …
#130: Dealing with defiance? You don't need to say a word - you just need these 3 game-changing non-verbal strategies!
When talking more makes things worse… try this.
Ever felt like the more you say, the more defiant your students become?
Yeah. Been there.
This episode is all about the subtle magic of nonverbal strateg…
#129: The exact one-liners I use in the classroom when responding to defiant or challenging behaviour (and why every teacher needs these!)
What to do when a student flat-out says NO
[Get the FREE Calm Scripts Guide: https://www.the-unteachables.com/calmscripts]
Let’s talk about the moment every teacher dreads:
You’ve asked a student to fol…
#128: 4 ways imposter syndrome shows up for teachers in the classroom (and what you needed to know YESTERDAY to overcome it)
The imposter syndrome episode every teacher needs.
You’re in the classroom, trying your best, showing up with good intentions… but there it is. That sneaky voice that whispers:
“Maybe I’m not cut out…
#127: I met the King, and he asked me a question about the work I do with classroom management I was NOT expecting
Wait, did I just explain classroom management to the King?!
Yep. That happened. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most bizarre, surreal, and pinch-me experiences of my life —…
#126: How to support staff mindset shifts around behaviour approaches
This episode is in response to a great question: How do you support staff through mindset shifts?
Whether you’re leading a team or just quietly modelling a new way of doing things, this episode is for…
#125: Q&A: Dealing with the class clown, when students gang up on you, and motivating unmotivated learners.
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,…
#124: What to do when you’ve tried it all (and behaviour is STILL a battle).
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 …
#123: How to stand tall and confident in front of your class (even in the midst of some tough as heck behaviours)
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 t…
#122: “Miss, that deserves a detention!!” When students tell you how to do your job.
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…
#121: 4 steps to building confidence in your classroom management
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 probl…
#120: Your teaching IS your classroom management. Here are 3 ways to make it work for you
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 d…