The Secondary Teacher | Elective Teacher Resources, Secondary Teacher Strategies, and Teacher Planning

By Khristen Massic | Elective Teacher Resources, Secondary Teacher Strategies, Teacher PlanningEducation How To Courses

The Secondary Teacher | Elective Teacher Resources, Secondary Teacher Strategies, and Teacher Planning episodes

December 10, 2024 Ep 249: Reflect, Recharge, and Plan: A Simple System for the Holidays
As a multiple prep teacher myself, I know how hard it is to hit the brakes when there's always something to plan, grade, or tweak.
But guess what? You don't need to have next semester all mapped out by the end of the year!
In today's episode, we're diving into a simple system that'll help you reflect on the past semester, recharge your batteries, and strategically plan for what's to come—without your break feeling like more work.
We’re talking strategies, reflection questions, and goal-setting tips to keep you effective and energized, so tune in and let’s thrive together!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Goal Setting Templates on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Goal-Setting-SMART-Goals-and-Reflection-Sheets-Middle-School-and-High-School-8800339
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
12 min
December 03, 2024 Ep 248: AI for Managing End-of-Semester Chaos
Feeling overwhelmed with managing the end-of-semester chaos while juggling multiple preps?
I get it!
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, we're diving into how AI can be your secret weapon to streamline tasks, speed up grading, and even help with end-of-semester feedback.
Discover tips for creating impactful progress reports, using AI for student recruitment, and finding smart ways to avoid reinventing the wheel.
Join me as we navigate this hectic time with tools and strategies that will leave you more time to actually enjoy the upcoming holidays.
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
10 min
November 26, 2024 Ep 247: How to Simplify Multi-Prep Projects Before the Semester Ends
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I'm diving into how to simplify those multi-prep assessments before the semester wraps up.
We'll chat about using universal rubrics to reduce the chaos, repurposing resources across different preps, and the game-changing strategy of grading as you go.
Plus, I share some creative ideas like implementing choice boards and creating your very own project exemplars. If you're ready to streamline your workload without sacrificing effectiveness, hit play and let's get started!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
10 min
November 19, 2024 Ep 246: How to Plan Units for Multiple Preps (and Stay Sane)
Hey there, teachers juggling multiple preps!
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I'm diving into the art of unit planning to keep your sanity intact.
We'll be tackling strategies like starting with the big picture, aligning units across different subjects, and strategically planning around your personal calendar.
I'll even chat about how AI can be your secret teaching assistant, making life a little easier.
So if you're looking to streamline your unit planning, reduce overwhelm, and save precious time, you're in the right place. Tune in and let's thrive together in this teaching journey!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
10 min
November 12, 2024 Ep 245: Unlocking Hidden Time: AI as Your Teacher's Assistant
If you're juggling multiple preps like I once was, then you know how grading and planning can eat up your time.
I'm excited to share in this episode how AI can become your virtual teaching assistant, helping you unlock hidden hours in your week.
Ever wish you had a helper for grading, lesson planning, or even writing that impossible email?
Tune in as I delve into AI strategies that simplify repetitive tasks, assist with differentiated lessons, and even guide student feedback, all to help you thrive as a secondary teacher.
Let's transform your workload and give you the time you need to focus on what truly matters—building those important relationships. Don't miss it!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
9 min
November 05, 2024 Ep 244: The Art of Repurposing: How to Make One Lesson Work for Multiple Preps
Ever feel like juggling multiple preps as a secondary teacher is like reinventing the wheel every single day?
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, we're diving into the art of repurposing lessons to save you time and energy.
Imagine using the same engaging activities across your beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels without losing the excitement!
Learn how to repurpose efficiently, use AI to tweak your plans, and keep students engaged, all while cutting down that overwhelming prep time.
Hit play if you're ready for tips that help you thrive amidst multiple preps and stop feeling like you have to start from scratch every single time!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
8 min
October 29, 2024 Ep 243: 5 Simple Systems to Manage Multiple Preps Without the Burnout
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I'm diving into 5 simple systems you need to manage multiple preps without burning out.
Struggling with lesson planning, grading, or student tracking? I feel you.
I've been there, and that's why I'm sharing a weekly workflow, efficient student progress monitoring, and more to help reduce that mental load and keep you thriving in the classroom.
Tune in for tips on lesson planning templates and long-term planning, and let's make teaching more manageable together. Don't miss out – your sanity will thank you!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
12 min
October 22, 2024 Ep 242: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make When Using AI (and How to Fix Them)
Are you overwhelmed by the flood of AI tools in the classroom and not sure where to start?
Well, I've been there, and I'm here to share how you can reduce that stress by focusing on strategy, not just shiny gadgets.
We'll dive into the common mistakes educators make when using AI, and I'll show you how to use what's already at your fingertips for lesson planning, grading, and big-picture curriculum mapping.
Let's chat about saving time and keeping your teaching heart alive – join me and let's make AI work for you, not against you!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
8 min
October 15, 2024 Ep 241: Using AI to Streamline Lesson Plans and Differentiate for Multiple Classes
In this episode, I dive into the mid-year slump and share how to plan faster without sacrificing quality.
Remember those times you're overwhelmed and end up staring blankly at your plans?
We’ve got a game plan to tackle that!
Discover how AI can become your ultimate teaching assistant, saving you time and reducing your workload while helping you differentiate your lessons effortlessly.
Ready to revolutionize your planning and reclaim some precious time? Click that play button and let's conquer these prep challenges together!
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
9 min
October 08, 2024 Ep 240: How AI Can Revolutionize Your Teaching: A Guide for Overwhelmed Secondary Educators
Are you tired of tackling multiple preps every week and want to explore some time-saving techniques that can help reduce that Sunday night dread?
Well, this episode dives right into how AI can be your perfect teaching assistant, taking care of those repetitive tasks and letting you focus on building those meaningful student relationships that brought you into teaching in the first place.
Whether it's lesson planning or tackling an overwhelming grading pile, let's chat about how AI tools can transform your teaching experience without ever replacing that unique teacher magic you bring to the classroom! Tune in now and give your teaching load a much-needed break.
Grab the Secondary Teacher Systems Toolkit here: https://khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/systemstoolkit/?ref=pod
Planning for the next school year? If your day is organized by class period, your planning calendar should be too. Grab my Editable Class Period Calendar here: https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Simplify Your Preps Collective
Join us in the free community of multi-prep teachers, the Simplify Your Preps Collective www.khristenmassic.com/collective
10 min

About The Secondary Teacher | Elective Teacher Resources, Secondary Teacher Strategies, and Teacher Planning

From the publisher's feed

**Are you looking for secondary teacher strategies, elective teacher resources, and teacher planning systems that actually work when you're juggling multiple preps?**

Are you drowning in lesson planning and still taking work home every night?

Wondering if managing your workload is even possible when every class needs something different?

Let's be honest… your planning period disappears fast.

If that sounds like you, you're in the right place.

This podcast is for overwhelmed secondary teachers—especially elective teachers, CTE teachers, and any multiple prep teacher—who are tired of feeling behind and need practical secondary teacher strategies built for the reality of teaching multiple courses.

You'll learn how to simplify teacher planning, build classroom routines that reduce your workload, and find elective teacher resources that help you keep students engaged without creating everything from scratch.

Because you don't need a better planner.

You need systems that fit the reality of your secondary classroom.

Hi, I'm Khristen Massic.

I'm a former high school teacher in career technical education who spent 10 years teaching courses like engineering, drafting, robotics, digital media, and more—and at one point, I taught **nine preps in a single school year**.

I've also worked as a middle school assistant principal and now support teachers at the district level, so I've seen the teacher workload from multiple angles.

And here's what I learned the hard way:

It's not that you're bad at teacher planning.

It's that most planning systems were never built for teachers juggling this many different classes.

I used to overplan, rebuild everything from scratch, and try to make every lesson perfect—until it became completely unsustainable.

What changed?

I stopped chasing perfect plans and started building simple, repeatable systems.

Now I help secondary teachers simplify teacher planning, reuse what already works, and actually finish something during their prep period.

Inside this podcast, you'll find:

* Secondary teacher strategies for managing multiple preps without constant overwhelm

* Teacher planning systems that help you decide what to work on first and actually finish it

* Elective teacher resources that save time without sacrificing meaningful learning

* Classroom routines that reduce decision fatigue and keep your day running without constant effort

* Low-prep classroom games and engaging lessons that support student engagement without hours of prep

* Secondary teacher tips for protecting your planning period and getting more work done during the school day

* Systems for repurposing lessons across career technical education, electives, and other courses

* Practical strategies for CTE teachers, elective teachers, and any multiple prep teacher constantly switching between courses

* Teacher productivity strategies that help you reduce your Teacher workload and protect your time

* Practical ways to use AI to support teacher planning without turning it into one more thing you have to learn

You don't need to do it all.

You need systems that work.

If you're ready to spend less time reinventing lessons, feel more in control of your planning, protect your evenings, and still show up for your students…

**Hit play.**

### Next Steps

Grab your free resources to start simplifying your teacher planning right away:

🎯 **2026–2027 Secondary Teacher Editable Unit/Lesson Planning Calendar**

https://khristenmassic.com/secondarycalendarpod

🎯 **Planning Period Reset Toolkit**

https://khristenmassic.com/reset

Find more ready-to-use elective teacher resources in my Teachers Pay Teachers store:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/khristen-massic-cte-teacher-coach

Learn more at:

[www.khristenmassic.com](http://www.khristenmassic.com)