Welcome to 'The Unteachables Podcast', your go-to resource for practical classroom management strategies and teacher support. I’m your host, Claire English, a p...
#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 completely understandable—you’re being observed, you have content to cover, and you want a calm classroom.But here’s the thing: your goal in that moment is not to fix the behaviour, but to de-escalate it.In this episode, I break down the difference between pushing students further up the escalation cycle (Door #1) and creating pathways down (Door #2). I’ll share practical strategies for staying calm, using non-threatening language, and guiding students toward a place where they can self-regulate—so that meaningful behaviour conversations can happen later, when they’re actually ready.Listen in as I discuss:Why fixing behaviour in the moment is not the goal. Understanding the brain’s stress response.The two doors we open during de-escalation. One escalates behaviour, the other creates a pathway down.Practical strategies for de-escalating big behaviours. Non-verbal cues, connection-based responses, and avoiding common mistakes.MASTERCLASS: REAL CONSEQUENCES, REAL CHANGEHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website
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8:31
#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 encourage meaningful change.Listen in as I discuss:Why reflection is an essential skill in behaviour conversations. Helping students take ownership of their actions.Five practical reflection tasks to use in your classroom. Simple but powerful tools to support student growth.How to embed these strategies into everyday behaviour chats. Encouraging accountability and problem-solving.Mentioned resources:MASTERCLASS: REAL CONSEQUENCES, REAL CHANGEBEHAVIOUR REFLECTION BUNDLEHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website
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8:23
#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 immediately saw positive shifts.Students focused better and produced stronger writing.Transitions became smoother because I could use movement-based games instead of battling student resistance.Apathy decreased, and energy in the room improved.Rapport and community strengthened as brain breaks became a consistent, positive routine.The result? Better engagement, improved learning, and a classroom that felt lighter, happier, and more productive.Listen in as I discuss:Why brain breaks matter in secondary classrooms. Overcoming the pressure to “just keep going.”Three types of brain breaks you can use today. Upregulation, downregulation, and movement-based games.How brain breaks improve engagement, learning, and classroom culture. Small shifts that make a big impact.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website
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13:29
#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 predetermined song that signals to students it’s time to shift back.Project your laptop screen onto the board and type your instructions in big, bold font for students to follow.This method is non-verbal, calm, direct, and engaging. It saves your voice, adds a bit of novelty, and helps students smoothly transition without unnecessary disruption. Listen in for tips on making this work effectively in your classroom.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website
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3:14
#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 truly listening, or push back entirely.In this episode, I explore how shifting from lecture mode to guide mode creates a more productive and effective approach to behaviour chats. I provide real-world examples of common classroom scenarios and show you exactly how to replace lecturing with guiding questions that encourage self-reflection and responsibility.Listen in as I discuss:Why lecturing does not create real behaviour change. The importance of student buy-in.How to shift from telling to questioning. Using questions to encourage reflection and accountability.Practical examples of guiding language. What to say instead of lecturing in common behaviour situations.Mentioned resources:MASTERCLASS: REAL CONSEQUENCES, REAL CHANGEBEHAVIOUR REFLECTION BUNDLEHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website
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 LabMarie 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 authorAnd 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!
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