If you’re a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps and already feeling anxious about next year—even before this one wraps up—you’re not alone!

In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing my own story of summer burnout, why planning everything now isn’t the answer, and the three practical strategies I use to get ahead without overwhelming myself.

We’ll talk about how to set a clear direction for just one class, use AI as your curriculum assistant for fast mapping (yes, with my favorite prompts!), and finally, how to plan around real-life interruptions rather than your syllabus.

Whether you teach middle or high school and want actionable tips to reduce overwhelm, streamline lesson planning, and make next year less stressful, this episode is for you!

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

Unlock 20 time-saving strategies designed to keep your students engaged and your sanity intact with the free Simple Teaching Strategies Toolkit. Each strategy comes with detailed instructions, objectives, and a materials list, all editable in a convenient Google Doc. https://khristenmassic.com/toolbox

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

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