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The Unteachables Podcast

Author: Claire English

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Welcome to 'The Unteachables Podcast'! I’m your host Claire English, a passionate secondary teacher and leader turned teacher mentor and author of the book 'It's Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management'. I am here because I am on a mission to transform classroom management and teacher support.


Why I do this? It doesn’t feel that long ago that I was completely overwhelmed and out of my depth with behaviour (particularly low level disruptions), trying to swim, rather than sink. It took me spending thousands of hours in the classroom, with all of the inevitable ups and downs, to make me the teacher I am today; confident, capable, and empowered in my ability to teach all students, yes even the ones who are the toughest to reach. And now, I am dedicated to supporting teachers like you to do the same. 


I created The Unteachables Podcast to give you the simple and actionable classroom management strategies and support that you need to run your room with confidence, compassion, and calm.

On the Podcast you will hear from incredible guests such as:
-Bobby Morgan of the Liberation Lab
-Marie Gentles, the behaviour expert behind the BBC documentaries 'Don't Exclude Me' and 'Helping Our Teens', and author of the book Gentles Guidance: How to Understand, Inspire and Empower your kids.
-Robyn Gobbel, author of Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviours
-Dr Lori Desautels, assistant professor and published author
-Ceri Sandford of Wine with Teacher Podcast / Embrace your ADHD Chaos 
-Danica of Little Bloom 
Think of them as your behaviour besties (and there are many more to come!).


So whether you’re in early years, primary or secondary. A beginning teacher, an early career teacher, a teacher in training, a teaching assistant, an experienced teacher, a leader in teaching, and you’re wanting to feel happy and empowered and enjoy being in the classroom, whilst also making an impact with every single one of your students, then you’re definitely in the right place.


Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!


86 Episodes
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You’ve probably heard the phrase, "Behaviours are students meeting a need." In this episode, I’m diving into what that actually really means for your classroom and how understanding the needs behind student behaviour can transform your management approach.Listen in as I discuss:Glasser’s 5 basic needs and how they drive behaviour (survival, love/belonging, fun, power/mastery, and freedom)How unmet needs can lead to challenging behaviours in the classroomCore principles of Choice TheoryThe imp...
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Behaviour Bites! Every Thursday (in addition to my main-course episode on Tuesday) I’ll be delivering one quick tip each week that you can put into action immediately to help you crush your classroom management!TODAY'S BEHAVIOUR BITE:Students will always follow our example, before they follow our instruction.Listen in as I talk through this bite, and give you your actionable takeaway!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!TAKE T...
In this episode, I’m diving into one of THE most transformative strategies for managing low-level disruptions—almost like flipping a switch. I'll explore how your teaching presence, especially through non-verbal communication, can significantly shift classroom behaviour. It’s not about doing one thing—it’s about everything you do.Listen in as I discuss:What even is a strong teaching presence?Understanding the power of non-verbal communication in classroom managementThe difference between "cre...
Take the quiz! What's your teacher type?! Ever wondered why some classroom management strategies work wonders for others but fall flat for you? In today’s episode, we’re delving deep into the heart of teaching styles and uncovering what makes you uniquely you in the classroom. I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of my "What is Your Teacher Type?" quiz and showing you how this simple tool can unlock powerful insights into your teaching strengths and challenges.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DIS...
Take the quiz - What's your teacher type?! (Putting this right up top because I know that's why you came to the description)In today's episode I’ll be walking you through three mistakes you might unknowingly be making that can fuel these low-level behaviour spotfires. Now, I say “might be,” but let’s be real—after observing hundreds of lessons, I can tell you with certainty that these sneaky habits tend to creep into even the most experienced classrooms, and yes, I’ve been guilty of them too!...
In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into the frustration of low-level behaviours in the classroom—why they are so tricky to handle and why the advice out there often falls flat. This is episode 1 of a big focus on low-level behaviours this month, so be sure to follow along for the rest if this is a big challenge for you in your practice!IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:My personal experiences with low-level behaviours and why I’m so passionate about this topic - hellooooo shaking our confidenc...
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 effective!In this episode, I'll be exploring (well... more like nerding out on) a simple yet incredibly effective tool to help manage and reduce low-level behaviours in the classroom: the humble task card. I know, I know, but stay with me here.Many factors contribute to disruptive behaviours, but by ...
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 instructions. Picture this: hands shoot up, students ask, “What are we doing?” or they sit there doodling, lost in confusion. What’s going on here? I’ll explore the reasons behind this and how understanding them is key to solving the problem.Here’s what I’ll cover:The assumptions we make that lea...
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 typically presented.These bits of advice are frequently thrown around without any meaningful support or practical steps, making them more harmful than helpful. I’ve heard them time and again from colleagues, experts, and social media, but the reality is that they’re often oversimplified and lacking rea...
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 the key things to remember when students are dysregulated and can’t reason with us, and share my CARE Framework—a practical approach for responding to these situations. The goal? For you to be equipped with actionable classroom management strategies that are aligned with your values of compassion ...
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 setting the stage for a whole year of learning, growth, and relationships. What will our students be like? How will they get along? What will the dynamics be? Will they respond to me? How we kick off this journey can make a huge difference in shaping the classroom environment that we want for the year...
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 a positive classroom environment that students are eager to be part of, any day of the school year. Listen in as I explore why typical icebreakers often miss the mark and reveal criteria for activities that spark natural, student-led discussions. This episode is packed with insights on creating a...
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 understand more about their brains, they’re more likely to be empowered to manage their behaviours and self-regulate. Yes, even in secondary! Especially in secondary! The teenage years are the biggest time for brain development, second only to when we are developing in the womb up until 2 years of ag...
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 to consider: How much autonomy and trust you have.The support you’re getting from leadership.The culture of the school.How empowered you feel in your classroom .How confident and masterful you feel.The opportunities that are afforded to you.How fulfilling you feel the work is.But today I want...
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 series from the start, head back to episode 65!Yes, building relationships is important... but dang is it hard with some students! On today's episode I give you practical tips for building connections and establishing felt safety in the classroom, particularly with students who present with challenging...
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 challenging classroom behaviours.In this episode, I explore two key reasons why teaching and learning is inextricably linked with classroom management.I dig into how the beliefs and expectations we have about our students can become self-fulfilling prophecies, shaping student behaviour and their ...
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 strategies to ensure students understand and meet expectations.Today I discuss:The Importance of Clarity in Expectations:Why clear communication is crucial for student successHow assumptions about student knowledge can lead to misunderstandings and a whole bunch of chaosGet Ready, Get Set, Go Strat...
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 lessons are structured, consistency can significantly reduce anxiety and foster a supportive learning environment.In this episode, I delve into the fourth pillar from my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour, focusing on proactive classroom management through increased predictability and consistency...
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 not in the way you might expect.I will explore actionable, compassionate pedagogy that moves beyond traditional exclusionary practices.In this episode, I cover:How my challenging school experience shaped my teaching philosophy and the struggle of becoming the teacher I didn’t want to be and ...
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 available for pre-order and will be released at the end of June/start of July. In this episode, I'll be focusing on Pillar 2: Be Calm. One of the most impactful tools in our classroom management arsenal is maintaining a sense of stillness and calm, even in a chaotic environment. A strong teaching pr...
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Comments (2)

Jody Dales

funny, I added a comment here a week ago. It was about the damage done to teachers who are abused by students before the relationship is built, asking how to protect teachers from this harm because, regardless of the why, being sworn at or ducking flying furniture is experiencing abuse.

Dec 1st
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Jody Dales

Excellent points on developing relationships. However, you missed a big piece. Teachers are being abused during the weeks, months, and years it takes to do that work. During that time, teachers are expected to take abuse, accept it, forgive it, & work ever harder to help the abusers. This is causing unacceptable harm. Then comes the gaslighting "consider their perspective," "don't take it personally" etc. What is your plan to stop the harm and prevent the abuse until the relationship is working?

Nov 25th
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