The Unteachables Podcast

The imposter syndrome episode every teacher needs.
You’re in the classroom, trying your best, showing up with good intentions… but there it is. That sneaky voice that whispers:
“Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

Sound familiar? Yeah. Me too.

In this episode, I’m walking you through four of the biggest ways imposter syndrome has crept into my teaching life — from crying over curriculum codes to having students find me on Tind...

Wait, did I just explain classroom management to the King?!
Yep. That happened. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most bizarre, surreal, and pinch-me experiences of my life — being invited to Buckingham Palace and getting to literally talk to King Charles about what we do as educators.

But more importantly, I want to unpack why it was so powerful. Not because it was fancy or royal or Insta-worthy (thoug...

This episode is in response to a great question: How do you support staff through mindset shifts?

Whether you’re leading a team or just quietly modelling a new way of doing things, this episode is for you. 

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

• Why change feels so threatening – and what’s really underneath the resistance
• How to lead culture change without lecturing or pushing
• Why the most resistant staff are often just burnt out
• What actually ...

This week I’m doing something a little different – answering your questions! I asked over on Instagram what you needed support with when it comes to behaviour, and wow… you delivered.

In this episode, I’m giving practical advice for three of the big ones:

•   What to do when students gang up on you
•   How to motivate learners who refuse to try
•   How to manage the class clown without losing the room

These aren’t fluffy hypothetical...

 You’ve followed the advice. You’ve implemented the strategies. You’ve worked your heart out – and still, that one student just isn’t responding. It feels hopeless. Like nothing’s shifting. Like all your effort is for nothing. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’ve tried everything, and it’s not working,” this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

• Why your strategies are working, even when it doesn’t fee...

One thing nobody tells you before you step into a classroom is just how much behaviour will challenge you. Not just your strategies. You. Your nervous system. Your confidence. Your sense of self.

In this episode, I’m talking about what it really feels like to manage behaviour in the moment – especially when you’re young, new, or not naturally loud or assertive. And I’ll walk you through some of the exact strategies I used to build c...

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 common
• How to break the cycle with a calm, clear class reset
• What to say w...

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 App...

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 se...

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 class...

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 whoppin...

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 t...

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 thro...

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 s...

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 at...

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...

There are strong opinions when it comes to consequences in schools. Some believe in strict enforcement—"do the crime, do the time"—while others advocate for restorative conversations and plans. Regardless of approach, one thing remains essential: we need student buy-in for consequences to be effective.

Without buy-in, consequences lose their impact. The students who struggle the most are often already expecting punishments...

In this episode, I reflect on my recent move from New Zealand to Australia and the unexpected lessons it reinforced about classroom management. Moving is always challenging, but relocating with a toddler highlighted the profound impact of predictability and structure on behaviour. 

This experience reaffirmed a key classroom management principle: predictability is the brain’s best friend. I explore how structured routines, such as en...

Feeling overwhelmed by endless lesson planning and grading?
Struggling to maintain work-life balance?
Unsure how AI can help lighten your workload?

In this episode, I chat with the incredible Angela Watson, veteran educator, instructional coach, and creator of the Truth for Teachers podcast. Angela has spent years helping teachers streamline their workload and reclaim their time.

We discuss her 40-Hour...