The Time-Crunched Teacher

In today's episode we discuss why you don't need to spend 3 (unpaid!) days setting up your classroom to be an effective teacher. We grant you the permission to spend just enough time making sure the space is safe, tidy, and welcoming for your students. We also talk about what we do instead of focusing on decor.  🔗 LINKS MENTIONED: 1.) Back to School Routines and Procedures ( VIDEO ) 2.)...

Hall passes are just one of those things you need to have as a classroom teacher. But did you know that there are the right (and wrong) types of passes? We know, because we've used all the wrong ones (and, sadly, found them discarded on the bathroom floor - gross). Join 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, and 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, as they share all the best and worst t...

It’s time for our 2025 Classroom Resolutions Show! Not really. Because Mariel spends most of the time complaining about why she doesn’t like resolutions. But we still pass on some helpful tips despite being curmudgeons about it.  This episode’s topics include: Stephanie’s resolutions about grading systems, organizing materials, and meeting students where they are Mariel’s resolutions about test ta...

We’ve decided to start a new segment called “Grading the Week,” where we share the passes and fails of our day-to-day experiences as classroom teachers. Join 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, and 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, as we recount the joys of state testing, fire drills in the rain and what an eloper really is.  ⏰ Want even more time-saving tips? Then check out Mariel’s...

Why don’t you have a buddy class yet?! Okay, that’s a little dramatic. But seriously, it’s the greatest thing ever. Listen along as Mariel and Stephanie figured out how to rig the system so they could hang out MORE at work. Oh, and help the children build community at the same time.  This episode’s topics include: What is a buddy class? Setting up your buddy classes Fun buddy class activities Clas...

The good news about public school salary charts is that they are often made public. The bad news is that that doesn’t mean you know how to read them. We are here to help! Listen along as 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, and 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, explain the ins and outs of public school teacher salaries and contracts. This episode’s topics include: How to read a salary c...

Normally we like to share topics that help teachers. Today we share all the ridiculous things we’re doing this summer. Hopefully our niche hobbies help you lean into the summer break and “turn off” from school tasks. If this is your first episode with us, I’m so sorry. ;) This episode’s topics include: Poultry stories Stephanie cheats and does summer PD Mariel boozes it up as a wine snob How to le...

I know, my episode posting schedule is chaotic. Here's why.  ⏰ Want even more time-saving tips? Then check out Mariel’s YouTube Channel: The Time-Crunched Teacher. 🍎 Do you have a classroom story you’d like us to feature in an upcoming episode? Send us an email at podcast@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher.com . We also love hearing from you, so please send us your feedback or requests for future show...

Sick of all the time it takes to create classroom jobs and teach the kids? Me too. Welcome to the wonderful world of the Star Student. Seriously, it’s the easiest way to get things done in the classroom. This episode’s topics include: Why I don’t do classroom jobs anymore Why the Star Student is the real MVP LINKS MENTIONED: *Editable* Star Student Template Classroom video that shows how I set up...

Teaching PE can be super fun….or incredibly soul-sucking. A lot of that depends on whether or not the kids actually enjoy playing the games you come up with. Listen along as 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, talk about the games that students actually like. We’ll share tried and true crowd pleasers, along with what games we pull out of the bag wh...

How in the world do teachers run math centers? How do you have time to prepare them? How do you control everyone else when you're working with just one group? Well, the time-crunched teachers are here to help! Join 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, as we walk you through everything you need to know about running and managing elementary math...

Today I’m sharing the weekly check-in system that allows me to know what’s going on with each of my students in an incredibly efficient way. It requires minimal work on the teacher’s part so that you can spend your time supporting your students instead of chasing down information. This episode’s topics include: How to solicit background info on your students so that you can have a sense of where t...

We all need a break, and sometimes coming back from a school vacation is the perfect time to plan a reset for your classroom. Join 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, as we discuss how to come back from a break ready to start something new! (While also keeping things the same...don't worry, we explain what we mean by that.)   This episode’s to...

Sometimes it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference in a teacher’s world. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez and 5th grade teacher Mariel Desrosier as we share everything we include in our “survival kits.” This not only includes physical objects like the “good Kleenex” and shelf stable food, but it also includes those last minute games and activities that make perfec...

One of my productivity rules is, “If you have to write it twice, create a template.” And email writing is no exception. In today’s episode I go over exactly how to create an email template and the types of templates I use as an elementary school teacher.  This episode’s topics include: Step-by-step instructions for enabling templates in Gmail Template examples and how I use them LINKS MENTIONED: E...

You know what's better than giving kids rewards? Giving kids free rewards. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher Mariel Desrosier as we share our favorite cheap and free class rewards.  This episode’s topics include: Free choice activities Silly group rewards Building community through rewards Student acknowledgement (especially in cursive) Whole class rewards...

Many teachers have told us that Back to School Night is one of the most stressful nights of the year. Something about presenting to adults, opposed to a room full of children, can shake even the best of us. But do not fear - Mariel and Stephanie are here to help you plan your best Back to School Night yet! Not only will our tips help guide you through the exact items to include in your presentatio...

As teachers, we love the first day of school, but there is soooo much to do. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teachers Leanna Garcia and Mariel Desrosier as we share exactly how we prepare our classrooms and materials for the first day of school. We’ll not only explain our exact process for setting up the classroom, but we’ll also be sharing our prior mistakes and wha...

Today's episode is a very special recording of the podcast. In celebration of our summer break, I came up with a ridiculous game called "Battle of the Brackets." We pick a topic (like worst school supplies) and create a set of playoff brackets where we argue each item head to head until we've declared a winner for: The Worst School Supply Ever. Western Conference: 1. Safety sci...

If you’ve ever wanted to look into your closet and LOVE the items you see, then this is the episode for you! Today I go into the step by step process I used to create my awesome capsule wardrobe from scratch, all on a teacher’s budget.  This episode’s topics include: What is a capsule wardrobe? Why thrifted? How to define your personal style Purging items you don’t need How to thrift shop like a p...

Everyone remembers their first year teaching mistakes - and the Lunch Bunch is no exception. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, Technology Coach Melissa Shaw, and 2nd grade teacher Mariel Desrosier as we regale our tales as first year teachers. But more importantly, we share exactly what we would have done differently if we had the chance to do it again.  This episode’s topics includ...

Lunch Bunch in the house! Today’s guests include art teacher Cailin Nygren, librarian Stephanie Simms, and 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez. Join our spirited Would You Rather? Game - teacher edition. Get ready for some real world teaching advice, including why we would choose head lice over birthday cupcakes.  Today’s classroom stories include Stephanie’s slip slip, Mariel’s 2nd grade n...

Usually I talk about teaching. Today I’m sharing my favorite time-saving tricks for around the house. Because who wants to spend the day cleaning up after a bunch of kids only to have to come home and clean up after your own? ;) This episode’s topics include: How I learned to love doing laundry without involving alcohol Why deciding what’s for dinner is the hardest part about being an adult How no...

It's the end of the year, your brain is toast, the kids' brains are toast, you don't need something complicated or expensive to do. Don't worry, I've got you.  This episode’s topics include: Activities disguised as teaching Ridiculous games Making memories LINKS MENTIONED: fold n' fly paper planes   Canva templates Today’s classroom story is about how every teacher ne...

Google Chrome has some amazing features that can save you time and up your productivity. In today’s episode I share some of my favorite features that will make your life easier.  This episode’s topics include: Bookmark folders that allow you to open all your bookmarks at once Creating icon-only bookmarks to fit more on your bookmarks bar Sending links to highlighted text on a website How to quickl...