How Teacher Emotions and Motivation Shape Student Success
Release Date: 12/10/2025
The Power of Professional Dialogue: Turning Lesson Observations into Meaningful Conversations for Growth
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Angela Myers In this episode, Angela, an educator with 60 years of experience spanning primary, secondary, further and community education shares her thoughts on classroom observations. Having held roles from classroom teacher through to Deputy Principal at Solihull College, Angela brings a remarkable depth of knowledge to one of the most talked-about — and often dreaded — aspects of teaching: the lesson observation. Whether you're a classroom teacher who feels a knot in your stomach every time someone walks through your door with a clipboard, a middle leader tasked with observing...
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Gender Identity Decoded: How Biology and Society Shape Who We Are
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Dr Diana Sorrentino In this episode, Dr. D, an expert on gender diversity and transgender identities with over 40 years of experience, explores gender identity's neurobiological foundations, social influences, and evolving terminology. Dr. D shares her personal journey, explains foetal development and intersex variations, and discusses support strategies for transgender youth. She highlights the critical role of family acceptance, outlines age-appropriate medical guidelines, and emphasises that gender diversity is a natural, biological phenomenon. The episode encourages educators to...
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Changing the Narrative Around Neurodivergence in Schools
Psychology in the Classroom
With Prof Edmund Sonuga Barke and Dr. Susie Chandler. This episode marks the end of the series of podcasts on the RE-STAR project. In this final episode we discuss the four-and-a-half-year research initiative supporting neurodivergent adolescents with ADHD and autism. The discussion covers how the project shifted focus from internal emotion dysregulation to the school environment's role in mental health, introducing the concept of "emotional burden." Key findings include the importance of teacher understanding, consistent accommodations, and moving away from deficit-based language. The...
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How Do Habits Shape Students’ Use of Effective Learning Strategies?
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Ann-Kathrin Krause In this episode, Ann-Katrin Krause, a PhD student in educational psychology at the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education in Frankfurt, discusses her research on the role of habits in students' learning strategy use, exploring why students often default to ineffective strategies like rereading despite knowing better alternatives exist. The conversation covers how environmental cues trigger habitual behaviours, the distinction between automaticity and effectiveness, and practical strategies like habit stacking and if-then planning. Ann-Katrin also...
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How Can Positive Psychology Transform Wellbeing in Secondary Schools?
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Hannah Brownhill To kick off the summer term, Hannah Brownhill, a positive psychology practitioner and former secondary teacher shares her insights into embedding wellbeing in to schools through positive psychology. Following her Churchill Fellowship research in Australia, Hannah shares how schools can move beyond "wellbeing as an add-on" to create a culture of genuine flourishing. This episode explores the PERMA framework, the power of character strengths, and the systemic shifts needed in UK education. Hannah also offers practical, classroom-ready strategies for teachers, alongside...
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Spring Takeover: Exploring the Multi-Store Model of Memory and the Rise of AI in Psychotherapy
Psychology in the Classroom
Kicking off the summer term, this episode features two brilliant sixth-form students sharing their passion for psychology. Estelle, a year 13 student unpacks the multi-store model of memory, offering teachers genuinely practical strategies around attention, rehearsal, and retrieval practice to support student learning. Then Charlie, a Year 12 student, explores the exciting and thought-provoking role of AI in psychotherapy, examining how technology is making mental health support more accessible and affordable. Together, they demonstrate just how dynamic and relevant psychology is today — a...
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Dilemmas in the Classroom: How to Balance Inclusion and Individual Needs
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Dr Tracy Edwards In this episode, Tracy Edwards, senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and author of Severe and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties in Schools, explores the ethical and practical dilemmas teachers face when supporting learners with complex needs. Drawing on her experience in both mainstream and special education, Tracy discusses inclusion, differentiation, and the importance of reflective, learner-centred practice. She highlights the value of embracing difference, fostering choice, and maintaining high aspirations for all pupils. This insightful...
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Mental Health Research: Practical Tips for Teachers and Practitioners to Navigate the Evidence
Psychology in the Classroom
...with Andre Tomlin In this episode, Andre from The Mental Elf discusses how we can make mental health research accessible and useful for teachers and practitioners. The conversation tackles the challenges of jargon, paywalls, and misleading headlines, sharing practical tips for spotting reliable studies and avoiding common pitfalls. Andre highlights the power of co-producing interventions with young people, the importance of prevention, and the value of focusing on emotions and relationships in schools. *Trigger Warning* - the discussion is focussed on mental health and there is brief...
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The Power of Voice in the Classroom
Psychology in the Classroom
...With Professor Silke Paulmann In this episode I am joined by Professor Silke Paulmann to discuss why how we sound matters just as much as what we say - the irony, as you will hear, being that my voice this week is far from fine! We often focus on the words we use to support student autonomy—offering choice and avoiding pressure—but Professor Paulmann’s research reveals that our vocal tone is a primary carrier of psychological information. Whether you are teaching Early Years or Secondary, the way you modulate your voice can directly impact a student's sense...
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How Can We Combat Cyber Aggression in Schools Today
Psychology in the Classroom
...With Protyasha Bhattacharyya Kicking off 2026 this episode dives into the latest research on cyber aggression and its effects on young people. We explore new findings about how different parenting styles can influence online behaviour, and why fostering psychological safety in schools is more crucial than ever. Listeners will discover practical, up-to-date strategies for teachers to help students navigate digital spaces safely and kindly. The episode concludes with a curated list of fresh resources for continued learning, setting a positive tone for the year ahead and empowering everyone...
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In this motivational end-of-term episode, Professor Rebecca Lazarides (Professor for Empirical Research on Instruction and Schools at the University of Potsdam, Germany) discusses what keeps teachers motivated - even when energy is running low. Rebecca shares insights from her work on teacher motivation, explaining how self-reflection, supportive colleagues, and celebrating small wins can help teachers stay positive. The conversation explores practical strategies for managing emotions, the importance of authentic enthusiasm, and how school environments shape motivation. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their successes and try new ideas, leaving them with a boost of encouragement as they head into a well-deserved break.
The podcast in bullet points:
- Teacher motivation and its impact on teaching quality.
- The distinction between enthusiasm for the subject and enthusiasm for teaching.
- The role of teacher emotions in classroom dynamics and student motivation.
- External factors affecting teacher motivation, such as school environment and job demands.
- Strategies for teachers to manage emotions and maintain motivation.
- The importance of strong student-teacher relationships in fostering motivation.
- Emotional regulation as a critical skill for teachers.
- The influence of self-efficacy on teacher motivation and performance.
- The significance of reflective practices in enhancing teacher motivation.
- The situational nature of teacher motivation and its variability across different teaching contexts.
The British Journal of Educational Psychology Special Edition is available on this link:
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/20448279/2025/95/4