The K-2 Teacher's Ultimate Guide to Getting More Done During Prep Time Without the Overwhelm

Let me guess. Your prep time goes insanely fast every day that by the time you get started on a task, it’s practically over. Or maybe you’re so completely exhausted when you sit down to lesson plan or prep centers, that all you want to do is scroll through social media (…and nap). 

Whatever the case, it’s just not working and you need a change. 

So glad you’re here, friend. 

Over the past 8 years of teaching, I’ve created a simple method for approaching planning time with more efficiency and less overwhelm.

And that’s the ultimate secret formula I’m going to let you in on now. 

MAKING LESS SPONTANEOUS DECISIONS + ELIMINATING NON-ESSENTIAL TASKS = PRODUCTIVE PLANNING TIME FOR TEACHERS

And what does a more productive planning time lead to?? 

A more sustainable work-life balance for teachers.

Let’s dive into each part of this formula. 

MAKING LESS SPONTANEOUS DECISIONS

You know that “I’ve hit a wall and I just can’t think of where to start or what to do during my planning time” feeling??

What you’re experiencing is a totally legitimate thing called decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is when you’re so worn out from making many decisions throughout the day that your brain literally hits a mental block. As a result, you feel incapable of making any more decisions. 

Sound familiar? Teachers make countless decisions day in and day out. In particular, we make a lot of in-the-moment decisions. That’s why it’s so important that our prep time is a space in our day when we don’t have to make on the fly decisions. 

Ok, so, how do you do that? 

Make decisions about what you’ll work on during your prep time BEFORE it happens. 

ELIMINATING NON-ESSENTIAL TASKS

Repeat after me: I don’t have to get my entire to do list done in a day. 

Actually – you don’t have to get your entire to-do list done at all. Because the fact is that there are probably non-essential things on that list that don’t really deserve your focus. 

Instead of trying to do it all, focus on just 2-3 tasks during a single planning session.

You’ll experience far more productivity by focusing on the important things, than if you race against the prep time clock trying to fit as much in as possible. 

YOUR PRODUCTIVE PLANNING TIME

Now that you know my formula for prep time success, let’s put it into practice. 

Join the Prep Time Makeover mini-training where you’ll walk away with a simple plan for what to work on each day during your prep time so that you can get more done and FINALLY enjoy your time off!