The Unteachables Podcast

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 thatWhether 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 gotResources 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