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

January 10, 2023 Ep 120: 4 Mistakes that Multiple Prep Teachers Make When Planning
Are you a secondary teacher juggling multiple preps? Do you feel overwhelmed trying to balance being an effective teacher and prioritizing important relationships?
In this podcast episode, I reveal the four mistakes I made as a multiple prep teacher and how you can avoid making them too. From planning and decision-making to finding the right teaching strategies, I share my experiences and provide tips to help you not only survive, but thrive as a multiple prep teacher.
Don't miss out on these valuable insights and strategies to reduce overwhelm and improve your teaching. Tune in now!
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
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
15 min
January 03, 2023 Ep 119: 3 Key Questions to Ask to Become a Successful Multiple Prep Teacher
How to manage teaching multiple preps is not taught in school--or anywhere else. While there is some trial and error, it is possible to get started by asking yourself 3 key questions.
Whether you are a beginning teacher or a veteran with an added prep, this episode will get you moving in the direction of becoming a successful multiple prep teachers.
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
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
December 29, 2022 Ep 118: 5 Lessons Learned in 2022
It's safe to say that in education we are always learning, but I've learned a lot about my life/goals, and mind this past year as I've been on the journey to support myself and you, my teacher friend. Check out this episode to hear what I learned and how you can apply some of these principles to your own life and teaching career. Download my FREE course planning cheat sheet:
https://khristenmassic.com/semester Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/
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
December 27, 2022 Ep 117: Introducing the Secondary Teacher Podcast
New name, but same-ish content.

The Secondary Teacher Podcast will be for middle and high school teachers juggling multiple preps to get the strategies to reduce the overwhelm so you don't have to choose between being an effective teacher and prioritizing important relationships.

Every week, we will discuss strategies, systems, and time-saving tips to help you not only survive, but thrive as a multiple prep teacher.

Download my FREE course planning cheat sheet: https://khristenmassic.com/semester

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

Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/
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
7 min
December 20, 2022 Ep 116: The 4 Phases of the Successful Teacher Timeline
I honestly thought I'd be considered a "master teacher" by year 5. I mean, why not? Everyone says that those first few years are the hardest. And while they are, there is more to it--especially for multi-prep teachers who may be teaching new courses. In this episode, we not only go over the different phases, and some characteristics of teachers in each phase BUT also talk about the next steps to get you from one phase to the next. Download my FREE course planning cheat sheet: https://khristenmassic.com/semester Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/ Why Teachers Leave—or Don’t: A Look at the Numbers (EdWeek article): https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/why-teachers-leave-or-dont-a-look-at-the-numbers/2021/05
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
15 min
December 13, 2022 Ep 115: How to Declutter Your Digital Teacher Resources for the New Year
Organizing and decluttering paperwork (both printed and digital) is on many teachers' to-do lists for the break. This can be a daunting task, but in this episode, we're going over some quick tips to help you organize your current digital resources and set up a system for the rest of the school year. Download my FREE course planning cheat sheet: https://khristenmassic.com/semester Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/
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
December 06, 2022 Ep 114: How to Save Time While Planning for the Next Semester
You shouldn't need to spend your non-contract time (or your holiday break) planning for next semester. In this episode, I'm explaining how to use backward design to figure out your scope and sequence. We'll use what's already working for you and your students to repeat and save you time. Plus, we'll start thinking about getting your students excited to request your courses for next year. Download my FREE course planning cheat sheet: https://khristenmassic.com/semester Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/ Other similar episodes to check out: Ep 113: 4 Simple Teacher Reflection Questions to Ask at the End of the Year
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
13 min
November 29, 2022 Ep 113: 4 Simple Teacher Reflection Questions to Ask at the End of the Year
The end of the year is a great time to reflect and set goals for the following year. This is also a great time to do the same in your school year--especially as you are finishing up the school year. Today we're going over the four reflection questions that you should ask at the end of the year to not only improve your teaching but also save you time in planning next semester. We'll discuss everything from why now is a good time to reflect and how to use data to drive your planning. So, if you're ready to use reflection to improve your teaching practices in time for the next semester, this episode is for you. Download my FREE course planning cheat sheet: https://khristenmassic.com/semester Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach Link to Goal Setting and Reflection Sheets on TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Goal-Setting-SMART-Goals-and-Reflection-Sheets-Middle-School-and-High-School-8800339 Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/ Other similar episodes to check out: Ep 84: Using Reflection to Improve This Year's Lesson Plans for Next Year
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
November 22, 2022 Ep 112: 3 Easy Activities to Keep Students Engaged Until Christmas Break
The weeks leading up to Christmas break can be some of the toughest. Excitement is in the air and distractions can make it hard to engage your students.

In this episode, we're talking about 3 easy activities to keep your students engaged until the break. And the best part? Your students will be doing the work instead of you.

If you've been wanting to find solutions to get your students (and yourself) to the holiday break, this episode is for you.

Download my FREE editable unit planning calendar:https://khristenmassic.com/calendar

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

Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/
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 15, 2022 Ep 111: How to Enjoy a Schoolwork-Free Holiday Break
Your holiday break should be just that--a break. It's a time to enjoy being with friends a family, not grading or planning. I admit that when I first started teaching, I spent my "breaks" on those tasks. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, we're going over things you can start doing now to prepare for your holiday breaks. Join the Black Friday waitlist to in-the-know: https://khristenmassic.com/blackfriday Download my FREE editable unit planning calendar:https://khristenmassic.com/calendar Shop my Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Khristen-Massic-Cte-Teacher-Coach Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khristenmassic/
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)