As the end of summer approaches, teachers eagerly await the unveiling of their class schedules. For secondary teachers, one of the most important factors to consider is the number of preps they will have for the upcoming year. Preps refer to the individual classes that teachers must plan for, and the workload can vary greatly from teacher to teacher.
Veteran secondary teacher Shelley Sphor, with 14 years of experience teaching science, has valuable advice for balancing the workload of multiple preps. One key tip she emphasizes is the importance of organization. Having clear daily, weekly, and long-term plans is essential, along with the flexibility to make adjustments as needed. Shelley recommends keeping notes after each class to track progress and make improvements.
To streamline planning, Shelley suggests using a calendar with hyperlinks for each prep, making it easy to see what needs to be done each day. She also advises new teachers not to feel pressured to create everything from scratch. Utilizing curricular resources provided by the district and collaborating with other teachers can save time and energy.
As teachers gain experience and find their footing, Shelley encourages them to start innovating and keeping lessons fresh. She recommends staying up-to-date with scientific journals and news articles to spark students’ interest. However, she cautions against becoming complacent with lesson plans and stresses the importance of reviewing, assessing, and making necessary changes.
Administrative support is crucial for teachers with multiple preps, as switching gears between different classes can be challenging. Shelley suggests advocating for scheduling considerations that allow for mental and organizational preparation between classes. She also emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students over multiple years, which can be a rewarding aspect of teaching multiple preps.
In conclusion, teaching multiple preps can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and support, it is manageable. By following Shelley’s advice on organization, collaboration, innovation, and advocating for needs, teachers can navigate the challenges of teaching multiple preps and create a rewarding learning experience for their students.
