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
#19: The behaviour management trap that is keeping teachers stuck in survival mode
On this week's episode I am going to be talking about the entire narrative around behaviour management that is getting teachers stuck in PURE survival mode. It is a trap!
And what is the trap?
Seeing …
#18: Miss Honey: beloved teacher role model or a misleading representation of the job of teaching?
Let’s talk about the fiction vs reality of Matilda’s MISS HONEY!
She has inspired a generation of teachers. For so many she was actually the reason, the catalyst, the inspiration to get into the job …
#17: Are we just excusing ‘bad behaviour’? What teachers need to know about the ‘why’ behind challenging student behaviour
In this episode, I answer the question, “aren’t we just excusing bad behaviour when we look into why it is happening?”
Why bother learning about behaviour?
Afterall, whatever the reason behind it, it …
#16: Do you feel like you’re constantly repeating yourself? How to minimise the dreaded question “what are we doing?!”
Who relates to finishing explaining a task to students only to have a hand pop up and ask… ”Sir/Miss, what are we doing?!”
If you had a dollar for every time you had just explained a task and you get…
#15: What does a good teacher look like anyway?? A powerful discussion around teacher guilt and wellbeing, and your permission slip to just do your best and forget the rest!
DO YOUR BEST, FORGET THE REST!
If you’re looking for a permission slip to truly embrace the teacher you are, then look no further than this amazing interview with Ceri Sandford. This passionate woman …
#14: A very honest chat about my teaching journey: How burn out, a break, and skipping the country led me to my passion and purpose.
Welcome back to season 2 of The Unteachables Podcast - Woooo freaking hoo!
And I am back with a brand new co-host, my 2 month old daughter Ava. Despite me training her up for 9 months, she didn’t cont…
#13: 2022 all wrapped up. What you need to leave behind this year and move towards in 2023.
Wow, teachers, 2022 has been a BIG year hasn’t it?!
But let me ask you something… how do you really feel about it?
Are you measuring yourself backwards and really appreciating how far you have come, O…
#12: The things I would go back and tell my first year teacher self. Tips, encouragement, and home truths.
If you could sit across from your first year teacher self, what would you say?
Well this episode is me exploring that very question for myself.
If you’re a teacher in the making or a teacher still earl…
#11: A teachers survival guide to navigating those tough last weeks of term.
Who feels like they are crawwwwwwling to the holidays? That end of year push can feel impossibly exhausting.
And it’s obvious why it is hard…. We are tired, we are burnt out.
Buttttt as you know, bein…
#10: Cruel to be kind? Striking the balance between addressing behaviours and maintaining relationships
I don’t need to sit here and tell you that building a positive relationship with a student is a pretty important part of the work we do.
I am sure you also know that the students who really need that…
#09: The most common teaching mistakes we make with classroom management, and the very quick and easy fixes that can transform behaviour.
Mistakes, blunders, slips, errors… all of these are NOT dirty words… ESPECIALLY in teaching.
In fact, I celebrate mistakes, I encourage mistakes, I welcome the vulnerability of teachers standing ther…
#08: Low Level Behaviours, Big Level Frustrations! How to start to shift the low level disruptions that are stopping you from getting on with teaching.
When I ask teachers what their biggest classroom behaviour challenges are, MOST of the time I will hear….
Low. Level. Behaviours.
*SHUDDER*
For SO many teachers, these behaviours sit in this difficul…
#07: The cover lesson survival guide: How to calm the chaos and get through the day in one piece.
So many classroom management strategies rely on a foundation of not only relationships and rapport, but solid routines and a whole lot of consistency to be effective. But what if you have absolutely …
#06: Don’t take it personally? The teaching advice that is much easier said than done.
I am sure you have heard this being said before, ‘don’t take it personally.. it isn’t about you’...
Well, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of incredibly personal, harsh, nasty student comments…
#05: What will it really take to have TRUE teacher wellbeing? A chat with Jodi from The Busy Teachers Club
Teacher well-being, or the lack thereof, is absolutely no joke. Teachers are leaving the profession in droves… and teachers are usually people who don’t join the profession on a whim to begin with, I…
#04: Owning your teaching personality. Yes, even as a quiet, awkward or introverted teacher!
Why are we always comparing ourselves? It is such a trap that we can all fall into as teachers, especially when we are simultaneously battling with imposter syndrome… If you’re a bit of an introvert,…
#03: Classroom carnage: How to engage even the most disengaged and challenging classes. A chat with one of my teacher besties!
<p>Welcome to Episode 3 of the unteachables podcast! Today one of my best teacher pals Chiara and I dig into some of the top tier memories, biggest struggles, and biggest triumphs of our first years …
#02: The Teaching Advice That Grinds My Gears (and What to Do Instead).
Today I am going to be talking about something that reallllly grinds my gears… when you have a really challenging class, a student who is displaying some really challenging behaviours, you’re at the …
#01: Humans first, teachers second. Navigating all of the human moments in the classroom.
We are humans… who also happen to be teachers… responsible for 30 other humans… That leaves a LOT of room for ‘human moments’ in our day to day work. In today’s inaugural episode, I am going to dig …
Coming Soon Teaser: The Unteachables Podcast
Coming Sunday October 2nd: The Unteachables Podcast!
Welcome to The Unteachables Podcast, where your host Claire English is NO stranger to challenging classroom behaviour. And if you’ve found your way…