The Unteachables Podcast

 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, ev...

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...

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 ca...

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 m...

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 be...

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-reg...

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 wh...

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...

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 st...

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 decide...

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 ins...

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...

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 ar...

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...

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 4...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a personal story that shaped how I approach behaviour and relationships in the classroom, and how a single moment of connection can shift everything. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: A deeply personal story from my school days : How one teacher’s unexpected response broke down my tough exterior. Why connection is key : The profound impact of showing care and curiosity ov...

WARNING: This episode has a lot of swearing in it!! Dealing with the challenging behaviours are never easy, especially when they feel personal. That's why in today's episode, I wanted to talk through one of my own experiences, how I dealt with it, and the lessons we can take away. SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Connection First: Even when behaviour feels personal or triggering, pr...

Do you feel stuck in a constant cycle of addressing challenging behaviour in the classroom? What if there was a small, intentional act that could shift the focus, rebuild trust, and nurture the emotional wellbeing of your most challenging students? In this episode of Quick Wins , we explore a simple yet powerful strategy called Positive Post-Its. This small action has the potential to create profo...

Exit tasks Exit slips Plenaries Whatever you want to call them... ...they are SO much more than just a tool to consolidate learning or tick off reflection and self-assessment boxes. When used effectively, they: 👉 Reinforce engagement and behaviour expectations. 👉 Encourage work completion by becoming part of your routine. 👉 Show students you care if they engage or finish their work!! However, i...

In this episode, I explore one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in your emotional piggybank investment toolkit: positive phone calls home. These small acts of connection can have a monumental impact! IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why positive phone calls are a game-changer , including how they build trust and transform relationships with students and their families. The impact on students who...

Does this sound familiar? The final moments of your lesson feel chaotic... unfinished, rushed work, students hovering by the door, mess everywhere, disruption, noise, and disorganisation leaving you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated? If this sounds all too familiar, you are not alone. The good news is that with consistent, simple exit routines, you can transition out of your lesson calmly and pur...

This week’s challenge is all about warm welcomes . While it sounds simple, doing it with intention and consistency can completely transform the culture and community in your classroom. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why warm welcomes matter , and how greeting each student contributes to their emotional piggy bank, boosts buy-in, and improves behaviour. The power of routines , and why predictability h...

Do you have a student who feels impossible to reach? You're not alone. As the summer holidays wind down, you might find yourself thinking about that student. They’re the one you’ve struggled with before, or the one whose reputation precedes them. It’s tough, and it’s okay to admit that. The good news is that you have the power to press the reset button and make this year better for them and f...

Are you heading back to school and wondering how to set expectations that your students will actually follow, all while building a positive classroom culture? You’re not alone, my friend! This is the top question I’ve been asked by teachers! In today’s episode, I’m tackling how to balance expectation-setting and relationship-building right from the start of the school year. Spoiler alert: yes, you...

Episode 100!!! (AND the last episode of 2024) is both a reflection and a reminder—a moment to pause and think about what truly fills your cup during the holidays. Teaching can be all-consuming, and it’s vital to find ways to not just rest but to feel rejuvenated and reconnected with yourself. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: Why resting isn’t always enough – the difference between rest and rejuvenation...