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
#79: 1 simple tool to tackle low-level behaviours, increase engagement, and bust dysregulation.
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 eff…
#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)
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…
#77: 3 common pieces of behaviour advice teachers get that do more harm than good
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 typic…
#76: What to ACTUALLY say to calm students down. 4 steps to resolving bubbling behaviours quickly, so you can get back to teaching.
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 …
#75: My top 4 classroom management tips for a strong start to the school year (and beyond!)
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 sett…
#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!)
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…
#73: No space for a calm corner in your classroom? 4 practical tips for student self-regulation on the go!
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 und…
#72: Let’s have a heart to heart… How are you going? Plus, big news on how The Unteachables is changing.
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 …
#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.
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 serie…
#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.
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…
#69: How to give instructions that students get (and follow!!). Avoiding classroom confusion and chaos by using the 'Get Ready, Get Set, Go!' strategy.
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 s…
#68: Turning your classroom into an island of safety for every single student (oh, and for yourself as the teacher, of course)
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 lesson…
#67: So you want to move away from punitive discipline? Here’s where to start.
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…
#66: Are you caught in the vicious cycle of reactive classroom management?
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 availab…
#65: Redefining a strong approach to classroom management: It's about so much more than just the behaviour.
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 …
#64: Conquering the colossal to do-list, embracing imperfection, and being "more like Kerrie". Swimming, surviving, and thriving, with Ashley from Rainbow Sky Creations
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 strategie…
#63: Blame my brain! What's behind those big, bad, bold, and downright bloody baffling behaviours.
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 …
#62. 'Apathetic' teenagers, post-pandemic classrooms, and finding all the glimmers with Dr Lori Desautels
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 spe…
#61. “Make me a sandwich”. How we can address the alarming misogyny present in our classrooms.
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 th…
#60. Students not taking accountability for their behaviours? Here's what to do.
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 st…