#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 culture is creeping into your classroom, this episode will guide you on what to do next!IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why this dynamic is so frustrating – and so commonHow to break the cycle with a calm, clear class resetWhat to say when students start calling out behaviour decisionsWhy standing firm isn’t unkind – it’s part of compassionate, credible teachingThis is a perfect example of the approach I teach.Yes, we lead with compassion. Yes, we value connection. But that doesn’t mean we don’t stand firm, hold boundaries, and have strong expectations. In fact, doing both is exactly what builds credibility and buy-in with our students.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!Enrolments for The Classroom Management Lab are now OPEN... but not for long! Join the 2025 cohort before doors close on May 11th.JOIN MY FREE LIVE TRAINING: TURN YOUR TEACHING INTO A CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MACHINE 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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14:59
#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 problem.Confidence in classroom management can come with time and experience. But often, it doesn’t. That’s why I created a clear path forward.In this episode, I’m walking you through the four steps of my Classroom Compass Approach – a simple structure I designed to help teachers move from overwhelmed to in control. It’s the exact approach I’ve used to help over 1,000 educators take back the reins in their classroom.IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why classroom confidence doesn’t always come with time – and what actually helpsThe four steps of my Classroom Compass ApproachWhat to focus on before behaviour even happensHow to respond and resolve without escalatingWhy this is the stuff that truly transforms your practiceHere’s the beauty of this whole approach: it puts you back in the driver’s seat.We can’t control behaviour. But we can control how we show up, how we plan, how we respond, and how we connect.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!Enrolments for The Classroom Management Lab are now OPEN... but not for long! Join the 2025 cohort before doors close on May 11th.JOIN MY FREE LIVE TRAINING: TURN YOUR TEACHING INTO A CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MACHINE 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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21:06
#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 direction.It’s overwhelming. It’s exhausting. And it’s not sustainable.In this episode, we break down why this keeps happening – and what to do instead.IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why teaching and behaviour management can’t be separatedThe number one trap teachers fall into when trying to support everyoneWhat true differentiation looks like (and why it should remove you, not rely on you)Easy scaffolds and strategies that keep the whole class on track – without burning you outIf this scenario hit home, you’ll love my free training Turn Your Teaching into a Classroom Management Machine. I’ll break down exactly how teaching and learning can actively reduce behaviour challenges – and how to build a classroom where every student knows what to do without needing you constantly.Head to the-unteachables.com/learn to enrol!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!Enrolments for The Classroom Management Lab are now OPEN... but not for long! Join the 2025 cohort before doors close on May 11th.JOIN MY FREE LIVE TRAINING: TURN YOUR TEACHING INTO A CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MACHINE 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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18:55
#119: Are calm corners worth having in secondary classrooms?
Calm corners look great online – but in reality? Students can ignore them, misuse them, or turn them into a hangout spot. You’re left wondering if they’re even worth it in a busy secondary classroom where time, space, and structure are limited. You want to support emotional regulation, but not at the expense of learning.I’ll take you through how I create calm spaces that actually support self-regulation – without turning your classroom into a free-for-all – and how I embed emotional literacy and co-regulation into my behaviour approach.IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why calm corners often fail in secondary classroomsWhat needs to happen before you set one upMy “pocket calm corner” and the tools students actually useHow to embed regulation without disrupting the flow of your lessonSo, are calm corners worth the rage in secondary? Yes – but only if they’re adapted to work in our world. That means ditching the distractions and zeroing in on strategies that are teachable, transferable, and actually usable for our students.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!Enrolments for The Classroom Management Lab are now OPEN... but not for long! Join the 2025 cohort before doors close on May 11th.JOIN MY FREE LIVE TRAINING: TURN YOUR TEACHING INTO A CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MACHINE 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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25:52
#118: The number one reason you’re finding behaviour tough right now
You’re not failing at behaviour because you’re “just not cut out for it.” And no, it’s not because you don’t have that magic voice or commanding presence either. The truth? Most of us simply weren’t taught how to manage behaviour effectively. And it shows – not because we’re not trying hard enough, but because no one gave us the tools to begin with.In this episode, I’m taking you right back to where it all began for me: the whopping 20 minutes of behaviour training I received across two degrees, and how it left me wildly unprepared for what came next. From sinking in my first classroom to swimming thanks to exceptional mentors, I’m sharing what made the biggest difference – and how you can find the same transformation.IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:Why your struggles with behaviour are absolutely not your faultA behind-the-scenes story from my first chaotic solo lesson (yes, there were flying keyboards)How real, effective classroom management support turned things around for meWhat “The Confident Classroom Pathway” is – and how it can help you feel calm, in control, and confidentClassroom management doesn’t have to feel like constant firefighting. The right support – practical, actionable, evidence-based – can change everything. That’s why I created The Confident Classroom Pathway, a free training based on all the gold I’ve learnt over the years from some of the best mentors and trainings around.If you’ve been on the fence about learning with me, this is the perfect place to start. Head to the-unteachables.com/learn to sign up for one of the two sessions – they’re free, fun, and packed with stuff people told me they would’ve paid for. I would love to see you there.And remember – if behaviour feels tough… it’s because it is. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. You’ve got this. 💛Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!Enrolments for The Classroom Management Lab are now OPEN... but not for long! Join the 2025 cohort before doors close on May 11th.JOIN MY FREE LIVE TRAINING: TURN YOUR TEACHING INTO A CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MACHINE 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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