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Here’s a spicy but honest truth: sometimes, we don’t like every student we teach. And while we’re trauma-informed, values-driven, compassionate educators — we’re also human. And navigating complex behaviour, bullying, defiance, or students who constantly derail your lessons? It takes a toll. In this episode, I’m opening up the very real conversation about what to do when you find a student… unlikable. (Gasp!) I’m giving you the validation, language, and mindset shifts to acknowledge that feeling without acting from it. You’ll learn how to stay professional, regulated, and credible — while still honouring your experience. Because let’s be clear: you can not like a student and still be a bloody great teacher to them. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why it’s normal (and not shameful) to feel disconnected from certain studentsHow your personal triggers affect classroom dynamicsWhat to do when you lose objectivity or patience with “that” studentThe quiet ways your feelings show up — and what to do about themMindset shifts to stay regulated, empathetic, and in controlStrategies to slowly build bridges (even when it feels impossible)Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

In this episode, I’m giving you a front-row seat to how I break the ice with my classes without forcing kids (or me!) into anything awkward, loud, or fake. Whether you’ve got a class full of students with complex needs, or just want something low-stakes and actually useful — this is the episode for you. I’m walking you through the exact back-to-school icebreakers I’ve used for years with huge success. These are tried-and-tested with mainstream AND complex classrooms — and they do more than just "get to know you." They start building classroom culture from day one. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why traditional icebreakers often flop, and what to do insteadHow to balance fun, structure, and behaviour foundations from lesson oneMy 3 go-to first-day activities (that double as classroom management tools)What I do instead of “stand up and introduce yourself” 😬How to make a class playlist that builds community (and teaches expectations!)The icebreaker games I use with students who are not here for your card sortResources mentioned: The Back to School Bootcamp: https://www.the-unteachables.com/backtoschoolbootcampJoin the Behaviour Club: https://www.the-unteachables.com/tbcThe Back to School Mega Bundle: https://www.the-unteachables.com/offers/WC32PseW/checkoutHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

That quiet calm at the start of the year? Yeah, it won’t last... unless you do this. Welcome back to The Unteachables Podcast. It’s still back-to-school season, and this episode is for every teacher who wants to avoid the classic Week 7 spiral when behaviours suddenly spike and everything feels a bit… cooked. I’m giving you a front seat to the real reason that early-term magic fades—and what to do right now (yes, even this week) to avoid the whiplash of your “angel class” suddenly turning into chaos gremlins. If you’ve ever thought, “What happened to my lovely class?” or found yourself pleading with the room to just start packing up already, you need this. We’re talking about: What the grace period actually is and why it endsThe difference between setting expectations vs reinforcing themThe boring-but-brilliant routines that will carry your class through the termWhat you’ll learn: What “grace period” behaviour is—and why it isn't lasting!The routines that do the behaviour management for youHow to create buy-in for expectations so students actually follow themWhat to do when (not if) kids start testing boundariesHow to balance warmth and structure without being “too soft” or “too strict”Easy wins for your starter, transition, and exit routinesResources mentioned: The Back to School Bootcamp: https://www.the-unteachables.com/backtoschoolbootcampJoin the Behaviour Club: https://www.the-unteachables.com/tbcThe Back to School Mega Bundle: https://www.the-unteachables.com/offers/WC32PseW/checkout Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

Feeling like last year’s behaviour battles stole your joy? Let’s change the energy at the door. We kick off the new season with a grounded, practical roadmap to reset expectations, reclaim credibility, and build calm with routines that do the heavy lifting—even if you’re returning to the same challenging group. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to: What to do when you’re dreading going back to school after a chaotic yearWhy co-disregulation is real—and how to avoid itHow to reset your credibility and teaching presence with students who’ve seen you struggleThe difference between being approachable vs credible (and why it matters)Why routines do the heavy lifting for classroom managementHow to press "reset" without shame or defensiveness—yes, even mid-year!Resources mentioned: The Back to School Bootcamp: https://www.the-unteachables.com/backtoschoolbootcampJoin the Behaviour Club: https://www.the-unteachables.com/tbcListen to past episode on Credible vs Approachable teacher presence Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

In last week’s episode, we talked about what to do when student energy is flat, motivation is MIA, and you're pulling teeth just to get through a lesson. This week, we're flipping the script and tackling the other end of the spectrum, those wild, chatty, off-task end-of-year vibes that have you asking: 🫠 “Why is everyone shouting?” 🫠 “Why can’t we sit down for longer than 2 minutes?” 🫠 “Is it me? Am I the drama?” This high-energy chaos is totally normal (and very human), but it doesn’t mean you have to just white-knuckle your way through it. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to do when your students are dysregulated, off-task, and bursting with excitement as the holidays approach. We’re talking clear routines, calm teacher energy, classroom games that actually work as brain breaks, and how to keep your lesson bones strong while still leaning into festive fun. Let’s do this. What you’ll learn: Why student energy spikes in December (and why it’s not a behaviour “problem”)The brain science behind high arousal and dysregulationHow to stay consistent and calm, even when students are bouncing off the wallsThe exact classroom games and mindfulness activities I use to channel energy without chaosThe real reason some students act out before the holidaysHow to reset your teaching presence when you’re just plain tiredResources Mentioned: 🎁 Free Game Download: 13 no-prep classroom games you can use anytime  https://www.the-unteachables.com/freedownloadgamesHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

We’ve officially entered the end-of-year zone... You know, the part where students are either bouncing off the walls or slumping over their desks like they’ve pulled three all-nighters in a row. And let’s be honest, we’re right there with them. In this week’s episode, I’m unpacking a common (and deeply exhausting) classroom vibe: student apathy. That “ugh, why are we even here?” energy that rolls in hard during December. Whether your students are dragging their feet into class, doing the bare minimum (if anything), or slurping down Red Bulls the size of their heads — I’ve got you. We’ll chat about: Why apathetic behaviours spike at the end of the year (spoiler: it’s not just because they’re lazy)How arousal states impact student engagementAnd most importantly? Some super practical strategies to upregulate energy in a way that doesn’t leave you more drained than they are.What you’ll learn: Why students are checked out in Term 4 (and why it’s NOT a reflection of your teaching)The difference between low, optimal, and high arousal states — and how to use themMy favourite “shake it up” tricks for getting student energy backFun, fast ways to use novelty, movement, and talk-time to re-engage your classHow to maintain routines without making things boringHow your energy sets the tone — and what to do when you’re the one running on fumesResources + Mentions: 🎁 Free Whole-Class Games! Grab them here🎉 Brain Break Bundle!Grab it here🧠 The Regulation Rooms Resource (exclusive to Behaviour Club members): Not for sale yet, but might be soon!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

This episode is a big warm hug and a practical roadmap for every teacher who’s ever thought: “How the heck am I supposed to stay calm when they’re pushing ALL my buttons?!” I’m diving into a juicy listener Q&A all about what to do in those real-deal, fight-flight-freeze moments in the classroom. And spoiler alert: it’s not about becoming a Zen monk who never reacts. It’s about having scripts, self-awareness, and a bit of self-compassion ready to roll. In this episode, I walk you through: My own messy moments (because YES, I’m a very imperfect human too)The neuroscience behind your snapping point (hello, barking guard dog 🐶)What emotional regulation really looks like for teachersAnd my top 6 behaviour one-liners that will save you from spiralling.So whether you’re already consciously incompetent 😬 or just starting to build awareness, this episode will meet you where you’re at, with practical tools to make it all a bit easier. What you’ll learn: The difference between reacting and responding6 calm one-liners you can keep in your back pocket for the trickiest momentsWhy having scripts matters when your thinking brain goes offlineHow to redirect defiance without getting sucked into a power struggleLanguage that sets boundaries without shameWhy saying “I’m not here to argue with you” is low-key magicResources & Mentions: 📥 Grab the FREE Calm Scripts Guide here: https://www.the-unteachables.com/calmscriptsNeed extra support? The Behaviour Club has your back: https://www.the-unteachables.com/tbcHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

Whether you're wrapping up the year in Australia (hi, me too!) or heading into Thanksgiving mode, this one's for the teachers out there who want to keep the vibe high, the connection strong, and the behaviour smooth as the term winds down. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to the actual gratitude-based activities I use with my own students when things start taking an energetic nosedive!  We’re talking: 🧠 sneaky SEL 💬 beautiful conversations ✍️ creative, calming brain breaks 🎨 and some genuinely lovely wall displays if you’re into that Whether you're in it for the dopamine hit, the classroom calm, or the end-of-year buy-in, these gratitude strategies are your new best friend. What you’ll learn: Why gratitude-based tasks are GOLD for classroom management10 deeper-than-usual conversation starters to use right awayHow to use these prompts for starters, journaling, or brain breaks6 mini-tasks that build regulation and communityMy go-to activity when the class energy is off and I need a circuit-breakerHow these “fun” tasks are actually classroom structure in disguiseWhy gratitude is secretly one of the best proactive behaviour tools you’ve got Resources Mentioned: Gratitude Conversation CardsThe Thanksgiving Mega Resource BundleFree Gratitude Plate ActivityHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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. In this episode, I’m not going to throw another vague strategy at you or tell you to “build relationships” (you’re already doing that). Instead, I’m breaking down exactly what I would do if I had that class and had to make changes immediately. This one’s especially for you if you’re: Constantly waiting for quietFeeling frazzled by the end of every lessonDreading certain classesQuestioning whether you’re even cut out for teaching anymore We’re stripping it all back and starting with what actually shifts classroom culture: ROUTINES. What You’ll Learn:  The first thing I’d do if I had a chaotic, chatty, unmanageable class Why teacher regulation trumps any routine or strategy The 4 core routines you NEED in place to turn the chaos around The sneaky behaviour triggers you might be missing How to get your students started before the lesson even begins My go-to early finisher system that doesn’t rely on “busy work” What to do in the last five minutes of class that’ll save your sanity Resources Mentioned: 🎁 The $1 Behaviour Club Kickstart: https://www.the-unteachables.com/kickstart 🧠 Early Finisher Task Bundle: https://the-unteachables.shop/products/early-finishers-activity-bundle-choice-board-packet-worksheets-reflection?_pos=1&_sid=f45b530cb&_ss=r 🪄 Exit Doors Routine (the viral one): https://the-unteachables.shop/products/exit-task-bundle Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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 favourite practical tools to bring novelty, structure and just the right amount of fun into those mid-lesson wobbles. Whether your students are bouncing off the walls or just dilly-dallying, you’ll walk away from this one with new tricks (and a taco) up your sleeve. What you’ll learn: Why group work isn’t the problem — it’s the gap between tasksMy 3-part “P” framework to diagnose & fix messy transitionsHow to boost structure and student buy-in (without nagging!)Easy, repeatable tools for transitions that students actually respond toFun little things like the “Tardy Taco” and “Fast Track Fajita” that build community while managing chaosHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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 leaned into compliance-based teaching just to survive, and the big, uncomfortable lightbulb moment that changed everything about how I teach now. This episode isn’t here to guilt you, because I’ve been there. It’s here to show you what’s actually going on when students appear settled but disengaged... and how to shift out of survival-mode strategies without throwing your whole self under the bus. What you’ll learn: The sneaky signs you’ve slipped into the pedagogy of poverty (and why it feels like it’s “working”)Why busy work, copying off the board, and chalk-and-talk can be so seductive in tricky classroomsHow trauma, stress responses, and feelings of failure are shaping your students' behaviourWhat true differentiation actually looks like (no colour-coded ability groups required)Simple scaffolding tools you can start using this week that support learning AND behaviourHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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 check-ins to brain breaks that actually regulate, I’m sharing the exact routines I don’t ditch (and how I just theme them instead). You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and feel-good strategies that will keep your students engaged without sacrificing your classroom management game. So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I do something fun for Halloween without losing control of my room?” - this one’s for you. Let’s roll the tape. 👻 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why festive behaviour spirals are so common (and how to avoid them)The biggest mistake teachers make when planning fun holiday lessonsHow to add novelty without losing structureExactly what to swap and what to keep during spooky seasonHalloween-themed routines and brain breaks that workHow your non-verbals are sending louder messages than your instructionsResources Mentioned: 🎃 Grab the Halloween Mega Bundle! Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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 mainstream classroom? There has to be more help out there.” Spoiler alert: There should be more help. But in the meantime, I’m walking you through what you can actually control, without burning yourself out or playing superhero. I’ll give you a front seat to: The real talk I wish I got at uni about inclusionWhy “just differentiate” is the most unhelpful advice everThe classroom systems and routines that actually make a differenceAnd the role your own nervous system plays in it allThis one’s not about perfection. It’s about doing what’s possible—in a way that’s human, sustainable, and actually helps kids thrive (including you). Let’s dive in. What You’ll Learn: Why you can’t meet every need, and why that’s not failureThe power of systems over individualised strategiesWhat real inclusion looks and feels likeThe two biggest game-changers: routine + regulationHow to support neurodiverse and neurotypical students at the same timeHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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 a front seat to 5 simple, powerful shifts you can make today to better support your neurodivergent students. These are the real-deal takeaways from ADHD coach and teacher Andy Hayes’ masterclass inside The Behaviour Club, and they’re already making waves in classrooms across the club. What you’ll learn: Why ADHD students hear 10,000 more negative messages than their peers, and how to change the storyWhat task initiation actually looks like (and how to scaffold it without overhauling your lesson plans)Why novelty isn’t fluff, it’s fuel for the ADHD brainHow visual routines support executive functioning and make your classroom calmerThe high-impact way to celebrate strengths over struggles (no tokenism, no fluff)Mentioned in this episode: 111 Printable Sticky Note TemplatesCelebration Cards Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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

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 cigarettes, and seriously thinking about dropping out altogether. And then… there was Miss Povey. My English teacher. The one who saw me. Who actually saw me. I’ve shared little bits of this before, but never like this. Inside the episode, I’ll walk you through: What was really going on for me during those high school yearsThe moment I nearly dropped out and the one thing she said that changed everythingThe ripple effect of her belief in me (spoiler alert: it’s why this whole Unteachables thing even exists)This is for every teacher who's ever wondered if that one sentence you wrote on a kid’s paper, or that 30-second conversation you had, really mattered. I’m here to tell you, it freaking does. What you’ll learn: Why one teacher’s belief can be enough to change a lifeThe impact of seeing a student beyond their behaviourHow academic disengagement is often masking something deeperA powerful reminder that your presence, your consistent, persistent presence, is more impactful than any program or policyHave a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text! 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