Ever sit down during your planning period—maybe with three or more different classes to prep for—and end up stuck, overwhelmed, or just tidying your always-cluttered desk? I’ve been there!

In this episode, I get real about what it’s like trying to survive as a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps, surrounded by decision fatigue, constant interruptions, and that never-ending grading pile.

But here’s the game-changer: I’ll share the reset ritual and time-saving systems that finally helped me reclaim my planning period and find some peace—without sacrificing what matters most.

If you’re a middle or high school teacher searching for practical strategies to manage multi-prep chaos, boost efficiency, and actually leave school at a reasonable hour, don’t miss this episode (and be sure to grab your free planning period reset toolkit in the show notes)!

Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you.

Get the Planning Period Reset Toolkit—a free set of quick-start tools to help you protect your time, focus faster, and finally finish something… even during chaotic school days. https://khristenmassic.com/reset

Ready to stop doing it all yourself? Grab the free Make AI Your Teaching Assistant PD and see how AI can actually help. https://khristenmassic.com/ta

Take the overwhelm out of multi-prep teaching—your free support system, the Simplify Your Preps Collective, is waiting: https://khristenmassic.com/collective

Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Feeling like your planning periods are slipping through your fingers already?

In this episode, I’m sharing my tried-and-true system for structuring your first 10 planning periods so you can actually get ahead—not just scramble from one class to the next.

If you’re a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps and trying to avoid those email rabbit holes, hallway wanderings, or last-minute lesson plan panics, this is for you.

I’ll walk you through real strategies, from setting boundaries (hello, Do Not Disturb sign!) to building habits that will make your prep time more productive and less stressful all year long.

Let’s kick off the school year with routines that protect your priorities and keep overwhelm at bay.

Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you.

Get the Planning Period Reset Toolkit—a free set of quick-start tools to help you protect your time, focus faster, and finally finish something… even during chaotic school days. https://khristenmassic.com/reset

Ready to stop doing it all yourself? Grab the free Make AI Your Teaching Assistant PD and see how AI can actually help. https://khristenmassic.com/ta

Take the overwhelm out of multi-prep teaching—your free support system, the Simplify Your Preps Collective, is waiting: https://khristenmassic.com/collective

Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever feel like the first 10 days of school are a wild juggling act—especially when you’re teaching multiple preps? Trust me, I’ve been there!

In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing my top strategies for creating smoother starts and lowering overwhelm, from using “accordion activities” you can flex across any subject, to teaching routines just in time instead of all at once.

If you’re a middle or high school teacher looking for practical ways to save time, build relationships, and set up routines that actually stick (without burning out before Labor Day), this episode is your roadmap to making those chaotic first days feel calm and doable.

Let’s kick off the year together with less stress and more confidence!

Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you.

Get the Planning Period Reset Toolkit—a free set of quick-start tools to help you protect your time, focus faster, and finally finish something… even during chaotic school days. https://khristenmassic.com/reset

Ready to stop doing it all yourself? Grab the free Make AI Your Teaching Assistant PD and see how AI can actually help. https://khristenmassic.com/ta

Take the overwhelm out of multi-prep teaching—your free support system, the Simplify Your Preps Collective, is waiting: https://khristenmassic.com/collective

Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach