Ever feel like your planning period just vanishes—even though you’re hustling the whole time?

You’re not alone!

In this episode, I’m breaking down why your prep time actually feels overloaded, not empty, especially when you’re juggling multiple preps, major assessments, and endless grading cycles as a secondary teacher.

I’ll share the biggest mistake I made for years (hello, unit collisions!) and how a simple shift in your calendar can rescue your sanity, lighten your workload, and help you actually finish something before the bell.

If you’re searching for real strategies around lesson planning, organization, easing overwhelm, and surviving multiple preps as a middle or high school teacher, this episode is packed with tips that work—because you deserve prep time that helps you breathe, not burn out.

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/wizard

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