Fraction of a Teacher follows two early career maths teachers, Jen and Francis, as they navigate the realities of the classroom. Through honest conversations, they reflect on what’s working, what isn’t, and what they’re still figuring out along the way. From teacher training to the early years of teaching, the podcast explores the challenges, lessons and small moments that shape us as educators. Because none of us starts as the finished article, we’re all just a fraction of the teacher we’re becoming.
Start of ECT2: Same Job, Different Teacher (S3,Ep1)
Season 3 is here and we’re officially ECT2s.
After the summer break, Jen and Francis are back behind the microphones to reflect on the start of their second year as Early Career Teachers.
Francis has returned to the same school, classroom and some familiar classes, while Jen has started ECT2 in a new school, now giving two very different perspectives on what September feels like the second time around.
They talk about setting expectations, reducing cognitive load, building relationships with pupils and parents, finding a teaching style that actually works for you, and why having more capacity is allowing them to focus on the individual pupils in front of them.
There are also some very practical teacher hacks involving timers, class books and remembering where on earth you got to with three classes studying exactly the same topic.
And with the ECT journey entering its final year, they finish with a bigger question:
Who do we want to be as teachers by the end of ECT2?
Welcome to Season 3 of Fraction of a Teacher.
As the school year comes to an end, so does our second season of Fraction of a Teacher.
In this episode, we reflect on everything ECT1 has taught us. From surviving the uncertainty of September to saying goodbye to students, returning to university as newly qualified teachers, and preparing for the challenges of ECT2, this is an honest conversation about growth, identity and the reality of a first year in teaching.
We discuss:
Looking back on our biggest moments of growth during ECT1.
What it was like returning to the University of Chichester to speak to the next PGCE cohort.
The emotional experience of leaving students and changing schools.
Why routines, relationships and consistency matter more than ever.
How we’re preparing for ECT2 and the teachers we hope to become.
Our answer to the question that inspired this podcast: What fraction of a teacher do we feel we are now?
Whether you’re about to start your PGCE, beginning ECT1, continuing into ECT2, or simply interested in the realities of life in education, we hope this episode reminds you that growth isn’t about comparing yourself to other teachers, it’s about knowing a little more than you did yesterday.
Thank you to everyone who has listened, supported and encouraged us throughout Season One. We’ll be back in September with a brand new monthly season following our ECT2 journey.
Have a wonderful summer.
30 Jun 2026
Episode 19: Behaviour Is Built, Not Managed
What if effective behaviour management starts long before you give a warning or sanction?
In this episode, we explore why the strongest classrooms are built through routines, relationships and consistency rather than simply reacting to poor behaviour. By exploring the practical side of Teacher Standard 7, we discuss the impact of losing your classroom for six weeks to preparing for a fresh start in ECT2. We reflect on the lessons we’ve learned about creating learning environments where students know what to expect and feel safe enough to succeed.
We also discuss:
Why routines matter more than we realised.
The hidden impact of classroom culture.
Rewards, sanctions and positive reinforcement.
Whether lesson observations capture what students actually experience.
How we’ll approach behaviour differently in September.
Whether you’re a trainee teacher, ECT or experienced educator, this episode is a reminder that behaviour isn’t something we simply manage, it’s something we build, one interaction at a time.
Who has been a guest on Fraction of a Teacher
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Laura Francis
Laura
Claire
Jeremy
Jocelyn Greene
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
79
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Fraction of a Teacher
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Fraction of a Teacher
Who hosts Fraction of a Teacher?
Jen and Francis host the show. Published by Fraction of a teacher.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Fraction of a Teacher take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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