Ep 314: What to Focus on This Semester (So Everything Else Feels Lighter)

Ever feel like juggling multiple preps as a secondary teacher leaves you spinning your wheels—but never getting ahead? In this episode, I get real about how trying to do everything just leads to overwhelm, burnout, and never-ending to-do lists. Instead, I’ll show you how choosing just one clear focus can make your planning, grading, and energy feel so much lighter. If you’re looking for practical strategies, systems, and time-saving tips to finally reduce teacher overwhelm and stop racing against the clock, this episode is for you! Let’s talk about simplifying your planning period, protecting your time, and finding that one thing that truly moves your students forward. Whether you teach middle school or high school and wrangle multiple preps, I promise—one focus is all you need to start thriving.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 that January pressure to overhaul everything in your classroom, especially with multiple preps on your plate? In this episode, I’m sharing why you don’t need a total reset to kickstart the new semester—no new systems, no endless planning, and absolutely no guilt. Let’s talk about how a gentle, practical January reset can actually help you breathe easier, reduce overwhelm, and keep what’s already working for you as a secondary teacher. Whether you’re juggling semester turnovers, new classes, or trying to survive as a multi-prep teacher, I’ll walk you through how to pick your one clear next step for the new term. You’ll hear practical questions, mindset shifts, and easy strategies to help you start the semester with clarity, not exhaustion—so you can teach well and protect your own well-being.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 December in the secondary classroom is pure chaos—prep periods disappearing, students bouncing between sleepy and wild, and your to-do list never getting any shorter? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’ll walk you through the exact quick resets I use during class time (not your precious winter break) to keep my multiple-prep classroom running smoothly. You’ll get actionable, time-saving strategies for classroom organization, routines, and reflection—so you start January with clarity and calm, not overwhelm. Let’s ditch the guilt, protect your break, and set up easy wins for your future teacher self—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

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