TAKE THE QUIZ
QUIZ: WHAT'S YOUR TEACHER PERSONALITY?

THE AUTHORITY FIGURE

You’re clear, authoritative, and hold your students to high standards. Sure, you might be seen as the “serious, straight-down-the-line” teacher, but at the end of the day, you’re fair and genuinely care about your students' success.

When it comes to classroom management, you’ve got it down: your students know exactly what's expected of them, and they’re fully aware of what happens when they don’t meet those expectations.

That said, you might sometimes struggle to let go of control and just have a good laugh with the kids. You’d like to loosen up a bit, but finding that balance between fun and maintaining authority isn’t easy. You’ve worked hard to build a classroom where routines, expectations, and consistency rule the day, and while that keeps things running smoothly, it can also feel a little rigid at times.

 ______________

YOUR FAMOUS TEACHER PAIRING:

Professor McGonagall

Harry Potter


You’re the Professor McGonagall of your classroom—firm, fair, and consistent. You set clear boundaries and expect students to rise to the challenge. Structure and discipline are your go-to tools, and while you’re not afraid to enforce rules, it’s because you care deeply about your students’ growth. Like McGonagall, you’re respected for your no-nonsense approach, but those who know you well understand there’s a lot of heart behind it all.

YOUR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SUPERPOWERS

  • You’ve set clear rules and high standards, so students know exactly what’s expected of them in your classroom.
  • You’re confident in your approach and don’t shy away from the tough conversations. This means you’re able to lead deep discussions, get to the heart of an issue, and put the right support in place for your students.
  • Your follow-up game is strong—students know that you’ll be consistent and fair, which builds trust over time.

 

THE STRUGGLES YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE

  • Some students, especially those with challenging behaviours, may have a harder time connecting with your more straight down the line approach and might not buy in right away.
  • You might struggle with letting things slide and going “off-piste” without feeling like you’re undoing the hard work you’ve put into setting boundaries and expectations.
  • It can be tough to allow yourself the time to build rapport and community, but this is crucial for a more holistic approach to classroom management.

YOUR TOP TIP

 

Spend just a few moments each day connecting with a student who struggles with their behaviour. Share a story, acknowledge their effort, or ask them about something totally unrelated to schoolwork. It won’t compromise your authority, but it will go a long way toward gaining their trust and buy-in.

YOUR TOP TIP

Holding boundaries is just another way of showing you care, even though it might not always feel like it. You don’t even need to say anything! You can use your non-verbal communication as a way to craft your teaching person to be one that is more credible when needed, without losing your beautiful nature in the process. Holding yourself with credibility looks like practicing stillness, standing up tall and straight, pausing, and using your proximity and gaze to de-escalate challenging behaviours. 

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR YOU AS THE AUTHORITY FIGURE

 

High expectations don’t have to be cold. They can be held with love, compassion, and curiosity. If a student isn’t responding to your approach, start by asking yourself “why,” and go from there. Heck, even ask THEM why! That level of openness will go a long way to gain a little buy in with those students who are the toughest to teach and reach.

SOME TAILORED SUPPORT FOR THE AUTHORITY FIGURE:

THE UNTEACHABLES PODCAST EPISODE #45:

Are you classroom managing like a fist, or a palm? A game-changing metaphor that will shape the way you approach behaviour in the heat of the moment.

Listen now
THE UNTEACHABLES PODCAST EPISODE #32:

Teaching Kids with 'Big Baffling Behaviours': The Science of Opposition with Robyn Gobbel.

Listen now
 YOUR MANTRA:

"Every single student can succeed"

LOOKING FOR DEEPER SUPPORT?

THE LOW LEVEL BEHAVIOUR BOOTCAMP

Strengthen Your Teaching Presence, Tackle Low-Level Behaviours.

Hello wonderful teacher, this is all about turning the strengths you already have into your classroom management superpower. The best thing? It works with your personality, not against it. Through nailing your non-verbals, you will be able to work on striking that balance between being credible and approachable, without sacrificing the high expectations that you set.

MORE INFO & ENROL

HI, TEACHER FRIEND! I'M CLAIRE.

 

Yes, I am an experienced Secondary English teacher, leader, mentor, author, and all the things in classroom management.

But real life me is also a toddler Mumma, a true-crime buff, an ocean lover, a potato fiend, and a wife.

I am more than a teacher, and so are you. That's why I created this quiz. You deserve SO more than cookie cutter strategies that don't work for you, that don't respect the wonderful individual you are, that don't mesh with your unique set of strengths. 

So yes, if you work with me in any capacity you will get the training and mentorship that I pour my whole heart into, and pride myself on being the flipping best out there. But it is so much more than that. It must be.

It starts by you being supported, validated and understood as the incredible, passionate, whole human being that you are. 

Blimey, this work is tough. But together, we are tougher. I am so happy that you're here.