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

March 26, 2024 Ep 199: Spring Into Engagement: How to Conquer Spring Fever in Your Classroom
Feeling the spring fever in your classroom?
Let's navigate through the challenges together in this week's episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast.
With the warm weather and longer days, it's easy for our students and ourselves to get distracted, impacting our study habits and classroom engagement.
But fear not! I share my top strategies for combatting spring fever, including hands-on activities, project-based learning, and more to keep both you and your students engaged and motivated.
Stay tuned to find out how to conquer spring fever and make the most of this challenging season in your classroom.
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
11 min
March 19, 2024 Ep 198: Quick Ways to Tidy Up Classroom Spaces: Spring Cleaning Tips
Hey there, fellow middle and high school teachers!
Are you feeling the chaos and clutter in your classrooms, making it hard to stay organized and focused?
Join me on this week's episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, where I'll share quick and practical tips for tidying up your classroom space.
As a 10-year engineering teacher, I understand the struggle of juggling multiple preps, and it's time to tackle the clutter in a way that won't overwhelm you.
From clearing off horizontal surfaces to creating effective organizational systems, I've got you covered.
Plus, if you're feeling the spring cleaning bug, I'll provide insights on going more in-depth with a classroom declutter.
Let's reduce the chaos and create a space that fosters effective teaching and important relationships.
Tune in to learn strategies to not only survive but thrive in your multiple prep role.
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
March 12, 2024 Ep 197: Maximizing Prep Time: Refreshing Lesson Plans Now
Feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything as a secondary teacher with multiple preps?
I hear you!
I’ve been there, and in this week's episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I'm dishing out tips on maximizing prep time by refreshing your best lesson plans and rinse/repeating them to tackle the endless demands of March.
Get ready to streamline your lesson planning process, evaluate what's working in your classroom, and leverage proven strategies and protocols to engage your students effectively.
Plus, I’ll share how to use AI to brainstorm new ideas and create templates to save you time.
Don’t miss out on this practical guide to tackling the challenges of a demanding school year and reclaiming your sanity!
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
11 min
March 05, 2024 Ep 196: Simple Digital File Organization Hacks to Save Secondary Teachers Time
Hey there, secondary teachers! Tired of wasting time searching for digital teaching materials and resources?
Join me on this week's episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast as we dive into simple and effective digital file organization hacks that will save you time and reduce overwhelm.
I'll share easy-to-implement strategies for naming and organizing your files, utilizing the power of the cloud, and making the most of search options in platforms like Google Drive.
Whether you're a middle or high school teacher juggling multiple preps, you won't want to miss out on these game-changing tips to help you thrive in your teaching journey.
Tune in and let's make digital file organization a breeze!
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
11 min
February 27, 2024 Ep 195: Harmonizing Assessment and Wellness: Practical Self-Care for Teachers
Hey there, fellow secondary teachers! Are you feeling overwhelmed by grading and struggling to find time for self-care?
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I chat with practical self-care strategies for assessment and wellness.
We'll discuss setting boundaries for due dates, grading along the way to save time, and setting limits on taking work home. I'll also share some great tips from fellow teachers on automation and boundary-setting for grading and handling missing assignments.
If you're looking for ways to balance assessment and wellness in your teaching journey, then this episode is definitely for you.
Stay tuned and get ready to reduce overwhelm and thrive as a multiple prep teacher!
The following IG accounts were referenced in this episode:
https://www.instagram.com/teachingmindbodyandsoul
https://www.instagram.com/strategicclassroom
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
11 min
February 20, 2024 Ep 194: Mastering Feedback: Strategies for Timely and Effective Assessment
Are you struggling to provide timely and effective feedback to your middle and high school students without feeling overwhelmed?
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, we're diving into game-changing strategies for streamlining your feedback process.
From grading during class to empowering students to self-assess, I'll share time-saving tips that will help you prioritize valuable feedback without spending endless hours after school.
Trust me, I've been where you are and I know the struggle. Let's do this!
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
February 13, 2024 Ep 193: Maximizing Efficiency with Tech Tools for Quick Assessments
Hey there, secondary teachers! Are you struggling with timely feedback and quick assessments for your multiple preps?
Join me on this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast as we dive into maximizing efficiency with tech tools for quick assessments.
I'll share some game-changing strategies to save time and improve student learning through formative assessments.
From using tech tools like Kahoot and Google Forms to implementing AI for assessment question ideas, we'll explore ways to make assessments a seamless part of your classroom routine while ensuring that feedback leads to continuous improvement.
If you're ready to reduce overwhelm and thrive as a multiple prep teacher, you won't want to miss this episode.
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
14 min
February 06, 2024 Ep 192: The Top 5 Mistakes Multiple Prep Teachers Make When Planning for Multiple Preps
Hey there, secondary teachers juggling multiple preps!
In this episode, I'm diving into the top 5 mistakes we often make when planning for our various classes.
From setting unrealistic expectations to not having a long-term plan, to overcomplicating lesson plans, I'll share strategies and tips to help you navigate through these common pitfalls.
Plus, I'll help you understand the importance of recycling and reusing resources across your classes.
Trust me, I've been there and I've learned from these mistakes, so let's tackle these issues together and make our teaching lives a whole lot easier.
Tune in now and let's thrive as multiple prep teachers!
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
14 min
January 30, 2024 Ep 191: Maximizing Your Productivity: How Getting Things Done During the School Day Benefits You and Your Students
Hey there, secondary teachers!
Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle multiple preps and manage your classroom efficiently?
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I dive into practical strategies for maximizing your productivity during the school day.
From creating efficient classroom routines to utilizing your prep periods effectively, I share tips to help you save time and reduce stress. Plus, I'll walk you through time-saving grading and feedback techniques that you can implement during class, so you can leave work at school and enjoy your time at home.
Whether you're a middle or high school teacher, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you thrive in your teaching role while prioritizing your personal life.
Tune in and let's make the most of our time in the classroom!
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
January 23, 2024 Ep 190: Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Time Management for Multiple Prep Teachers
Hey there, fellow secondary teachers juggling multiple preps!
Are you struggling to manage your time effectively amidst the chaos of lesson planning, meetings, and administrative tasks?
In this episode of The Secondary Teacher Podcast, I share my hard-earned secrets and strategies for maximizing your time and reducing overwhelm.
Learn how to prioritize tasks, utilize time-blocking techniques, and set crucial boundaries to regain control of your work-life balance.
Whether you're a veteran educator or just starting out, join me as I spill the tea on unlocking the secrets of effective time management for multiple prep teachers.
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

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)