December can make even the most organized secondary teacher feel like surviving multiple preps is a caffeine-fueled juggling act, so in this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing my best shortcuts for grading smarter, capturing what works, and setting up one easy January anchor task—so your winter break is truly a break.

If you’re searching for practical tips to protect your energy, manage projects and feedback, or just want proven systems to reduce overwhelm before the semester ends, this episode is for you. Hit play and walk into break (and January!) feeling lighter, more in control, and ready to actually enjoy the time off you deserve.

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

Grab the Warm-Up Wizard--A free Ai Teaching Assistant that will create all your class warm-ups for the week in less than 5 minutes: https://khristenmassic.com/wizard

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

By December, we’re all running on fumes—trust me, I’ve been there! In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing my three favorite low-prep classroom games that keep middle and high school students genuinely engaged (without the extra work, guilt, or endless slide decks).

If you juggle multiple preps and are looking for classroom management ideas, student engagement strategies, or simple routines to beat the holiday chaos, these games are your shortcut to less stress and more connection.

I’ll show you exactly how “Would You Rather,” Taboo, and adapted board games can boost learning and cut down on your prep time—so you can finally breathe easy in December and set yourself up for an easier January. Hit play and let’s thrive together!

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

Grab the Warm-Up Wizard--A free Ai Teaching Assistant that will create all your class warm-ups for the week in less than 5 minutes: https://khristenmassic.com/wizard

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

Are you a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps and wondering if anyone else truly understands what your job demands?

In this episode, I dive into the invisible challenges we face—like endless mental switching, constant classroom resets, and the never-ending grading grind with different rubrics and expectations for every class.

If you teach electives, feel pressure to keep enrollment up, or struggle with scheduling decisions that just don’t make sense, you’re definitely not alone.

I share real strategies for reducing overwhelm, building sustainable systems, and, most of all, letting go of guilt. Join me to feel seen, get practical tips, and start advocating for the support you deserve as a multi-prep teacher.

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

Grab the Warm-Up Wizard--A free Ai Teaching Assistant that will create all your class warm-ups for the week in less than 5 minutes: https://khristenmassic.com/wizard

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