Ep 299: Routines That Save You When the Chaos Hits

Ever feel like juggling multiple preps in secondary teaching just means more chaos and less control? Trust me, I’ve been there! In this episode, I’m sharing the exact routines that have saved my sanity (and helped dozens of teachers I’ve coached) when everything goes sideways—no Pinterest-perfect solutions, just real strategies like sustainable planning period rituals, bell ringers YOUR brain actually benefits from, and a simple midweek feedback system that actually helps. If you’re tired of overwhelming to-do lists and searching for routines that genuinely work for busy secondary teachers, especially those with multiple subjects, this is the practical starting point you need to thrive all year long.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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

If you’re juggling multiple preps and wondering how to handle your school’s new cell phone ban (especially now that it’s actually becoming law in some states), this episode is for you. I’m sharing real talk about what this shift actually means for your daily routines, classroom management, and that already-overflowing to-do list. As someone who’s been a teacher, assistant principal, and now a parent, I break down practical, low-tech swaps for those go-to phone activities—think exit tickets, bell ringers, and more—so you can keep your classroom running smoothly without the endless phone battles. Tune in for actionable strategies, time-saving tips, and a little encouragement to help you stay focused and thrive, even when the rules keep changing!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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Hey there, fellow secondary teacher juggling three (or more!) preps with barely enough time to catch your breath—this episode is for you. I know what it’s like to stare down one planning period and wonder how to create warmups, handle those “dead” minutes, and keep every class on track without losing your mind. In this episode, I’m sharing my go-to “Would You Rather” strategy—not just as a fun icebreaker, but as a versatile, zero-prep tool for brain breaks, transitions, and last-minute lesson fillers across all your preps. Plus, I’ll talk about building systems and routines that actually buy you back time (without making you feel like you’re cutting corners). If you’ve searched for “multiple prep time-saving,” “secondary teacher planning,” or “simple classroom management,” hit play now—you’re just one solid system away from regaining your sanity!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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever feel overwhelmed juggling multiple preps and wishing you didn’t have to start lesson planning from scratch for every single subject? In this episode, I’m sharing my secret sanity-saver as a multi-prep secondary teacher: how one simple classroom routine—the gallery walk—became my go-to strategy to save time and cut down on decision fatigue across very different classes. Whether you teach engineering, health science, or anything in between, you’ll learn how to stretch one flexible strategy to fit different subjects, reclaim your planning time, and still keep students engaged. Tune in for practical, real-life examples and my best tips on building predictable routines that actually work for secondary teachers with multiple preps!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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

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

Feeling overwhelmed by planning periods and juggling multiple preps? I’ve been there! In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I share the simple “Introduce, Practice, Produce” framework that pulled me out of survival mode—even when teaching five different classes at once. If you’re a middle or high school teacher constantly searching for time-saving tips, lesson planning strategies, or ways to simplify your day-to-day, tune in to discover how streamlining your approach can reduce overwhelm and help you reclaim your planning time. No more endless nights or reinventing the wheel—let’s make planning feel manageable again!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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Kick off your school year with confidence! In this throwback episode, I’m sharing my tried-and-true strategies for secondary teachers juggling multiple preps on how to build a strong classroom culture from day one—without feeling like you have to be a performer. Whether you’re a high school or middle school teacher, you’ll get practical tips on setting up your classroom space, greeting students, teaching essential routines, and making everyone feel welcome and safe. Plus, I’ll reveal engaging, low-pressure activities to help you get to know your students while giving them a glimpse of what your class is all about (yes, even if you hate reading syllabi on day one). If classroom management, first day of school ideas, or establishing routines are on your mind, you won’t want to miss this episode!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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach

Ever feel like you're planning a subject you’ve never taught before and wondering if you’ll survive juggling all those preps as a secondary teacher? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I share real talk and practical strategies for mastering new curriculum, reusing lesson structures, and letting go of perfection when teaching multiple subjects—even if you didn’t major in them. Whether you’re piecing together resources or feeling overwhelmed about how to start, I’ll show you step-by-step how to work backwards from what students need to do, adapt frameworks you already use, and become a confident facilitator (not an encyclopedia). Tune in for actionable tips and a boost of encouragement—I promise, you’ve got this!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/collectiveShop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach