Ep 302: Why October Always Feels Like Drowning (and 3 Ways to Catch Your Breath)

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. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop 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. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop 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. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever wonder why the warm-up is the first thing that falls off your lesson plan when you’re juggling three, four, or even nine preps? Trust me, it’s not because you’re lazy or disorganized—it’s decision fatigue, and there’s legit psychology behind it! In this episode, I break down why warm-ups get dropped (even though they’re gold for classroom management and formative assessment), what actually happens in your brain when you teach multiple preps, and my two-step fix that’ll help you create sustainable routines without adding to your overwhelm. If you’re a secondary teacher searching for practical ways to simplify warm-ups, reduce stress, and make your classroom run smoother every period, this episode is tailor-made for you!Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

As a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps, you know that grading can feel endless—especially in November when survival mode hits hard. In this episode, I share how grading during class isn't lazy, it's actually the smartest time-saving move you can make to protect your evenings, reduce burnout, and give your students timely feedback that really helps them grow. If you're tired of taking stacks of papers home, losing your planning period to endless grading, or worrying about how to balance classroom management with assessment, I'm here to walk you through practical strategies to grade in real time, build sustainable habits, and finally reclaim your weekends. Tune in for actionable teacher hacks, classroom tips for multiple preps, and a healthy dose of encouragement to help you teach—and live—better!Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever feel like you’re drowning in grading, endless parent emails, or just plain exhaustion during this wild stretch between Halloween and Thanksgiving? I get it—it’s that awkward, muddy middle of the school year where the energy from August is long gone, but winter break still seems out of reach. In this episode, I’m diving into some honest talk about what it really means to be in survival mode as a secondary teacher with multiple preps. You’ll get strategies for coping with decision fatigue, reducing mental clutter, and recalibrating your classroom routines without reinventing everything. If you’re searching for real tips on time management, simplifying grading, or just need reassurance that you’re not the only one feeling behind—hit play and let’s get through November together!Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Feeling buried under grading, lesson planning, and all the invisible tasks no one else sees? I get it—I’ve been there, juggling multiple preps and struggling with burnout way before AI was even an option for teachers. In this episode, I’m sharing the five AI shortcuts I wish I’d had in my classroom—quick, practical tools for secondary teachers with multiple preps that will save you hours on lesson planning, creating exit tickets, grading, drafting parent emails, and more. If you’re ready to reclaim your time, lower your stress, and put the focus back on building relationships with your students, you won’t want to miss this. Let’s lighten the load together—because you deserve it!Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever feel like you’re juggling way too many classes, lesson plans, and expectations as a secondary teacher with multiple preps? In this episode, I’m sharing real talk about finding balance—no superhero moves required! I’ll show you three sanity-saving strategies (think boundaries, batching, and mistake-proofing routines) that helped me survive teaching three or more preps year after year. We’ll chat about how to simplify your workflow, set limits without guilt, and use classroom systems that actually give you time back. If you’re searching for advice on teacher burnout, time management, classroom routines, or ways to stay sane with a packed teaching schedule, grab your earbuds—this episode’s for you!Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Hey secondary teachers juggling multiple preps, feeling that mid-semester slump hit hard? You’re not alone! In this episode, I dive into why October exhaustion is totally normal (spoiler: decision fatigue is real) and share three teacher-tested routines that helped me beat burnout while still keeping up with planning, grading, and all those endless to-dos. If you’re overwhelmed by grading stacks, tired of never-ending lesson planning, or just desperate for a real weekend, tune in for practical, realistic routines—like anchor tasks, theme days, and finishing one thing on purpose—that’ll help you get back on track without a full system overhaul. Let's survive (and thrive!) in the toughest part of the semester, together.Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever feel like October is when the wheels start falling off as a secondary teacher with multiple preps? I get it—grading stacks up, your email never ends, and the pressure to do it all leaves you feeling underwater. In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing three simple, practical strategies to help you breathe again: time-tracking tips, boundary-setting scripts, and ways to trim the extras that don’t actually boost student learning. If you’re overwhelmed, always behind, or just plain tired, come join me for real talk and actionable advice to help you get through October and beyond—without losing your sanity or your spark!Too many preps and not enough time? Let’s make your planning period actually work for you. Need a fast mid-year teaching reset? Try my 10-Minute Teacher Reset Tool — a free AI-powered assistant that helps you simplify one system in 10 minutes or less: https://khristenmassic.com/10minute 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/wizardShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach