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!
Episodes
This episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most common questions I get from Behaviour Clubbers, and honestly, it’s one we’ve ALL asked at some point: “What do I do with a class that is just... chaotic?”
We’re talking cultural chaos. The kind of class that leaves you emotionally wrung out, standing at the board yelling instructions to a sea of disengaged students while your nervous system quietly screams.
<...
The messy middle of a lesson can make or break your classroom calm.
You’ve nailed your entry routines. Your exits are solid. But those in-between moments, like shifting from group work to silent writing, that’s where chaos sneaks in.
If transitions have ever left you saying:
“I had them… and then I lost them.”
This one’s for you.
In this episode, I walk you through my three essential “Ps” for smooth transitions, plus five of my favourit...
Ever found yourself sitting at your desk mid-lesson, staring at the wall while chaos erupts around you… thinking “I cannot teach like this”?
Same.
In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most eye-opening classroom experiences I had as a baby teacher—and how it accidentally dropped me straight into something called the pedagogy of poverty.
You’ll hear the story of a student called “Nathan,” how I unintentionally lean...
Ah yes, spooky season. The sugar. The chaos. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to exactly how to lean into the festive vibes of Halloween (and any holiday season) without your classroom descending into a full-blown free-for-all.
This episode is packed with practical ways to keep your routines, keep your calm, all while adding just the right sprinkle of spooky magic to make it fun and functional.
From Halloween-themed SEL c...
How do you actually manage special needs in a mainstream classroom (when you’re not getting the support you need)?
Ever looked around your classroom mid-lesson and thought:
“How the heck am I supposed to meet 30 different needs all at once?”
Yeah. Me too.
This week, I’m kicking off a new mini-series answering your most-asked questions, starting with one I get all the time:
“How do I support students with special needs in my m...
October is officially Hectic Month™️ (Black History Month, Mental Health Day, Halloween... all of it), but nestled in the mix is something super important: ADHD Awareness Month.
And look, if you’re thinking, “Well, I don’t have any diagnosed ADHD students,” think again. Not only is it likely that you do (diagnosed or not), but what helps ADHD students thrive is actually just good teaching for everyone.
In this episode, I’m giving you...
This episode is personal. Raw. Vulnerable. And honestly… one of the most important stories I’ve ever shared.
So if you’re a teacher who’s ever doubted the impact you’re having, especially with those students who seem like they couldn’t care less? This one’s for you.
Today, I’m taking you back to my own high school days. Not the shiny, well-behaved student success story, but the version of me who was skipping class, stinking like ciga...
This tiny tweak could change your whole classroom vibe.
If you’ve ever found yourself gripping onto those five students who always put their hands up while the rest of the class stares blankly out the window—or worse, starts low-key mutinies—you are NOT alone.
In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to a game-changing shift I made in how I asked students to engage. It's a small upgrade that completely changed the energy in ...
We’re busting a big ol’ classroom management myth in this episode: that being kind, compassionate, and empathetic means you’re “too soft” to manage behaviour effectively.
Because I’m seeing it everywhere right now - especially from all the beautiful new teachers joining me inside The Behaviour Club - this feeling of, “Am I doing it wrong?” “Am I too nice?” “Do I need to start being strict to be taken seriously?”
Short answer? No.
Long...
Let’s talk about the part of the lesson where the wheels often fall off — the final five minutes.
You know the one. The bell's about to go, some students are packing up early, others are zoning out, and you’re standing at the door doing your best nightclub bouncer impression. 🚪🕺
In this final episode of the Kickstart series, we're talking exit routines — specifically, how to manage early finishers so the end of the ...
Ever feel like your class is one brain snap away from absolute chaos… or just asleep at the wheel?
In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most powerful — and wildly underused — classroom management tools in your toolbox: brain breaks. But not just for the sake of fun. We’re talking strategic, rapport-building, energy-resetting magic that actually boosts learning, not wastes time.
This is Day 4 of the Kickstart (ca...
The task strategy that will change your classroom (even if you’re running on fumes)
Ever feel like the second you set your students off on a task, it’s like you’ve got to split into ten different versions of yourself?
In this episode, I’m walking you through one of my favourite practical strategies of all time — the humble task card — and showing you exactly how this simple tool can reduce overwhelm, cut through the chaos, and stop t...
Join the Kickstart: https://www.the-unteachables.com/kickstart
If your lessons feel like a sprint uphill from the very first bell... kids trickling in, backpacks still on, everyone chatting while you’re already repeating yourself, then friend, you don’t have an entry routine problem. You have an entry routine opportunity.
This is part two of the Behaviour Club Kickstart, and today we’re talking entry routines! Specifically, the simpl...
Why Your Presence Might Be Undermining Your Classroom Management (And How to Fix It)
Ever felt like you're being too nice... or not taken seriously enough in your classroom?
Like you're walking a tightrope between being warm and relatable and being respected as the leader of the room?
Whew—yeah. Been there. That’s exactly what today’s episode is all about.
We're kicking off the Behaviour Club Kickstart with Day 1: PRESEN...
Ever had a student yell "I'M BEING BULLIED!" when their friend won’t let them borrow a pencil? Meanwhile, real, insidious bullying is flying under the radar?
HEAD TO THE BLOG HERE FOR ACTIVITIES + MORE 😁
In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to the three-part framework I use to help students identify what actually counts as bullying, how to respond safely, and how to foster real empathy in your classroom. These...
What’s actually happening when your student flips their lid?
And more importantly… what should you be doing when it happens?
HEAD TO THE BLOG HERE FOR VISUALS + MORE 😁
In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most game-changing concepts I've learned about behaviour and brain science: flipping your lid. You’ll hear me break down Dr. Dan Siegel’s hand model of the brain in all its gloriously awkward podcast...
Back to school?! Whaaaaaaat?!
If your first thought seeing this episode pop up was “Claire, I am still sipping margaritas and pretending I’ve never even heard of a seating plan,” I get it. 😅
But if you are gearing up for the next school year or term, this episode’s for you.
I’m giving you a front seat to my no-BS, non-negotiables for the first week back.
Not the Pinterest fluff. Not the cheesy icebreaker where you have to use an adjec...
TW: Mention of self-harm and suicide
Ever left school feeling completely wrung out, wondering if you’re even cut out for this job?
Same. And in this episode, I’m opening the curtain on one of the most raw, real reflections I’ve ever shared—because I know I’m not the only one who’s felt that way.
This one’s a mix of real talk, sobering stats, and a whole lotta love for you and the incredible, emotional, life-changing work you do every ...
When talking more makes things worse… try this.
Ever felt like the more you say, the more defiant your students become?
Yeah. Been there.
This episode is all about the subtle magic of nonverbal strategies — those tiny, calm, game-changing tools that help you shift students out of defiance and into direction without saying a word.
Whether you're dealing with low-level defiance, overwhelm, shutdowns or full-blown phone battles...
What to do when a student flat-out says NO
[Get the FREE Calm Scripts Guide: https://www.the-unteachables.com/calmscripts]
Let’s talk about the moment every teacher dreads:
You’ve asked a student to follow an instruction… and they just say “No.”
Or ignore you.
Or crank the volume on their phone.
Or knock the work off the table.
Whether it’s passive defiance or full-on “get out of my face” energy, the stress response th...
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