The Secondary Teacher | Classroom Routines, Secondary Teacher Strategies, Workload Management

If you’re a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps and feeling the June overwhelm creeping in, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I wish I’d known as a multi-prep teacher—how to actually recharge, get organized for the fall, and avoid burning out before back-to-school season even begins. I’ll walk you through my top five strategies for navigating summer as a middle or h...

If juggling different class routines and constantly second-guessing your plans sounds all too familiar, this episode is for you. I’m sharing my favorite time-saving strategy: simple visual planning cues that help you manage multiple preps, streamline routines, and reduce that daily overwhelm. Learn how to create easy, repeatable visual prompts (think icons for group work, warm-ups, or independent...

Ever find yourself finally on summer break, but your brain just won’t let go of next year’s lesson plans or that endless to-do list? In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing real talk and practical strategies for secondary teachers juggling multiple preps who are struggling to truly rest this summer—without losing the momentum you’ve worked so hard to build. I’ll walk you thro...

Ever looked at your crazy schedule and thought, “How am I supposed to plan when every class is a different length—and I’m teaching all of them?” You’re not alone! In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m breaking down my favorite planning hacks for middle and high school teachers juggling multiple preps, rotating intervention/extension periods, and unpredictable blocks. I’ll walk you...

Hey fellow secondary teachers juggling multiple preps! Ever feel like your brain is swirling with unfinished tasks as the school year wraps up? In this episode, I’m sharing my best actionable strategies to help you transition from chaos to clarity—before you even clock out for summer break. I’ll walk you through how to handle those lingering to-dos, reset a single space (without overhauling your w...

Feeling exhausted from juggling multiple preps as the school year wraps up? You're not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing three easy, low-prep wins for secondary teachers who are ready to bring meaningful closure to their classes—without burning out or resorting to movie days. Whether you’re teaching high school or middle school and managing everything from science to welding, I’ll walk you throu...

Hey there, fellow secondary teachers juggling multiple preps! I know how easy it is to lose those great curriculum ideas and classroom tweaks as summer rolls in. In this episode, I’m sharing my top time-saving strategy: how just 20 minutes of focused end-of-year reflection can help you capture what worked (and what didn’t) so you walk into next year ready and a lot less overwhelmed. I’ll walk you...

If the thought of another stack of grading or endless staff meetings has you ready to skip straight to summer, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite end-of-year tips for secondary teachers juggling multiple preps—because yes, you can close out the year with your sanity (and energy) intact. We’ll chat about setting boundaries, batching and automating tasks to save serious time,...

Are you a middle or high school teacher juggling multiple preps and feeling overwhelmed as the school year winds down? You’re definitely not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing how to end the year strong—without burnout or perfectionism. I’ll walk you through intentional strategies to help you close the loop with every class, prioritize what really matters, and even use AI to simplify your end-of-...

Hey secondary teachers juggling multiple preps! I know the end of the school year can feel totally overwhelming with endless to-do lists and unfinished projects. In this episode, I’m digging into how to decide what’s actually worth finishing—and what you can confidently let go of—so you can wrap up your year with less stress and more clarity. I’ll share my three-question filter for sorting end-of-...

Are you ready to set yourself up for success next school year without the August rush? In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, we're diving into how you can actually enter the next school year feeling calm, organized, and even excited. No more piles of sticky notes or all-day planning sessions! I'll be sharing simple, realistic steps to help you capture what worked and what didn't this y...

Hey there, multi-prep teachers! Feeling buried under the weight of end-of-year grading, reports, and lesson plans You're in the right spot! In this episode, I dive into how AI can be your new best friend by simplifying those overwhelming tasks that are exhausting both your time and energy. Discover how to effortlessly create review materials, wrap-up reflections, and manage all those parent commun...

Ever been hit with the challenge of teaching a brand new class with zero resources at your disposal? You're not alone in that sinking feeling. In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, we're diving into the art of preparing for a new prep without drowning in overwhelm. With my step-by-step approach, you'll learn to break down your course, prioritize what truly matters, and even harness the...

Feeling burnt out from juggling lesson plans, assignments, and new preps this year? Tune into this episode where I dive into turning this year's chaos into next year's success. I'll help you reflect on what worked well and what needs tweaking, introduce you to the "keep, tweak, toss" method for simplifying your planning, and even share a handy AI prompt to streamline your wins. Let's kick stress t...

Hey there, fellow secondary teachers! As the school year winds down, are you feeling the stress of juggling multiple preps? I've been there too. But what if I told you we could end the year strong and prep for an easier next one? In this episode, we'll dive into some strategies for capturing what’s working, letting go of what isn’t, and starting a next year notes doc that’ll truly ease that August...

Are you feeling overwhelmed teaching multiple preps and constantly scrambling to stay ahead? Trust me, I get it. In this episode, we're tackling the chaos of multi-prep teaching with the power of simple, repeatable systems that simplify your planning process, reduce stress, and make teaching manageable again. I'll walk you through three must-have systems: a weekly planning routine, a streamlined g...

Are you feeling the spring semester slump in multiple prep teaching? You're definitely not alone, and I've got just the thing to lighten your load! In this episode, I'm diving into how AI can be your new best friend by simplifying your multi-prep tasks. We're talking about generating warm-ups and exit tickets in seconds, slashing grading time with AI-crafted rubrics, and speeding up lesson plannin...

Juggling multiple preps as a secondary teacher can feel like a never-ending challenge. Trust me, I know how overwhelming curriculum mapping can be, especially when traditional methods just don't cut it for multi-prep scenarios. But what if I told you there's a way to simplify it all using AI? In this episode, I delve into how AI can help you create a flexible curriculum map that saves you time, ke...

Ever feel like you’re buried under lesson plans, grading, and endless decisions? Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s exhausting. But what if I told you that avoiding burnout isn’t about cramming in more self-care or splurging on fancy planners? In this episode, I share the secret to staying sane: simplifying your systems. By setting default decisions, reducing daily choices, and automating tasks,...

In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain on a game-changing strategy for tackling those multiple prep challenges. If you're feeling the overwhelm of juggling different classes, I've got you covered with three super simple steps to repurpose lessons for different preps. We're talking about how to find your starting point, brainstorm adaptations, and simplify wi...

Ever felt like your to-do list is a never-ending monster? I get it—I've been there too. In this episode, I'm diving into how we can stay sane with a three-question framework to tackle that overwhelming list. I magine focusing only on what truly impacts your teaching and students, and letting go of the rest. I’ll share how I stopped wasting time and started prioritizing like a pro. Plus, stick arou...

If you're a secondary teacher overwhelmed by multiple preps, this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast is a must-listen. I'm diving into 5 smart ways to repurpose your lessons across different subjects without losing quality or engagement. From using versatile teaching strategies to adopting universal note-taking techniques, these tips will save you time and energy. Join me to discover how you...

In this episode, we're diving into something every multi-prep middle and high school teacher needs but rarely talks about—confidence. Juggling multiple preps can feel like a circus act, but what if I told you that confidence, not just organization, is your secret weapon? We’re breaking down how trusting yourself, leveraging what already works, and celebrating progress, not perfection, can transfor...

Hey there, multi-prep teachers! Are you ready to cut your lesson planning time in half? In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I'm dishing out three super simple ways that AI can become your ultimate teaching assistant. From creating engaging bell ringers in seconds to streamlining lesson plans and repurposing existing content, it's all about working smarter, not harder. Imagine having...

Are you a secondary multiple prep teacher feeling buried under the chaos of juggling lesson plans, grading, and emails? Trust me, I've been there. In this episode, I'm diving into how I transformed my teaching experience by taking control of my multi-prep chaos. From simplifying systems with batching and repurposing lessons to leveraging AI for efficiency and setting boundaries to protect family t...