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Returning to your classroom after a long-term leave can feel like walking into a completely different classroom. You’re trying to figure out what happened while you were gone, what students actually learned, and where to begin. In this episode, I’m sharing five tips from teachers who have experienced this exact situation, including how to approach your first days back, make decisions about your curriculum, and get your classroom running smoothly again. Most importantly, give yourself and your students grace as you adjust to a new normal. Remember, teaching is your job, not your life! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode259 Resources Mentioned: Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeTake the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes: Episode 49: Visuals, Middle School, Maternity Leave, and MORE with Guest Rachael LaskyEpisode 117: How to Prep for a Long-Term Substitute Who Doesn’t Teach ScienceEpisode 217: How to Regain Control Mid-Year: Resetting Your Classroom ManagementEpisode 244: Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie DupuieEpisode 260: Celebrating Small Success and Building Relationships With Grace Ratliff

If you’re teaching three or more preps this school year, you may be realizing that your current systems are either keeping you organized or need a little adjusting! In this episode, I’m sharing six of my top tips for staying organized, from color coding and unit packets to implementing PrimeTimes and an end-of-day checklist. These simple systems can help you stay on top of your workload, stagger the demands of multiple preps, and make those busy days feel a whole lot more doable. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode258 Resources Mentioned: Balancing multiple preps Spotify PlaylistPlastic binsPaper desktop calendarFrixion erasable pensDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes and Blog Posts: Episode 60: Teaching with Packets – What They Are, Why I Love Them, and How to Use ThemEpisode 182: End the Year Organized: Your ResourcesEpisode 183: End the Year Organized: Your ClassroomEpisode 184: End the Year Organized: Your Methods for ManagementEpisode 206: PRIME TIMES® – Everything You Need to KnowEpisode 244: Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie DupuieBlog: EVERYTHING you need to know about having a high school T.A. program

A student in your class disrespects you in front of everyone. What are you supposed to do? As someone who runs a little hot myself, I know how tempting it can be to bite back with sarcasm or a quick retort, but keeping your cool is the real win. In this episode, I’m breaking down what to do (and what not to do) when things get heated, from resisting the power struggle and removing the audience to using calm scripts and proactive classroom routines. And if you’ve handled a tough interaction poorly before, remember that no single moment defines you as a teacher. You can apologize, reset, and model healthy conflict resolution for your students. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode257 Resources Mentioned: Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeTake the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes: Episode 249: Board Points: A Simple Whole Classroom Management StrategyEpisode 225: What to Do When Your Class Won’t Talk With YouEpisode 246: Grouping and Engaging Students With Popsicle SticksEpisode 136: Building a Team Mindset Into Your Classroom CultureEpisode 134: Prioritizing Relationships Over Being RightEpisode 92: 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science Classroom

At this point in the year, the “new year, new you” energy has officially worn off, and students might be drifting into class a little less prepared than before. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to handle students who show up without the supplies they need by setting simple expectations, communicating them clearly, and consistently reinforcing them. I’m also sharing how to build in a little grace while still letting natural consequences do their job, plus how to teach absent students to find what they missed and take responsibility for getting caught up. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode256 Resources Mentioned: Lil baby calculatorsGiant pencilsDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow, rate, and comment on SpotifyRelated Episodes: Episode 96: Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)Episode 152: Absences – How to Deal With ThemEpisode 206: PRIME TIMES® – Everything You Need to Know

How do you stay passionate about teaching after 24 years and multiple science preps? Veteran teacher and department chair Jaime Gratton is sharing her tricks of the trade. We’re talking about engaging students in 90-minute blocks, creating hands-on science experiences, mentoring new teachers, and building a supportive department culture. We also get into AI, classroom routines, grading, and Jamie’s reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is give ourselves a little grace and remember that it gets better! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode255 Resources Mentioned: ChemventoryINRS Chemistry curriculumAP teacher episode playlistContact Jaime: [email protected] Jaime’s Amazon Resource List Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Related Episodes: Episode 238: Department Chairs: How to Lead Your Team WellEpisode 212: 6 Preps, EOC Review, Biology and Work/Life Balance With Guest Macee HusemanEpisode 191: Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That RockEpisode 163: What I Wish I Knew in My First Year of Teaching High School Science: 5 Simple Tips

Parent boundaries can make a huge difference in your school year, especially when you set them early! In this final episode of my 3-week boundaries series, I’m breaking down three key areas: availability and access, respect and care, and knowing when to bring in support. We’ll talk about setting clear expectations, using proactive communication to build stronger parent relationships, and bringing in admin when things get tricky. When you feel confident partnering with parents while still protecting your time (and sanity!), you can focus on what matters most: your students. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode254 Resources: Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 70: “It Isn’t an Attack on You”: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 195: A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy FarrarEpisode 207: Dealing With Combative Parents – 6 Tips and 2 Warnings

Teaching is your job, NOT your whole life, and that means setting healthy boundaries with your students, too! In week two of my New Year, New Boundaries miniseries, I'm sharing five boundaries to establish this school year around availability, respect, workload, consequences, and grading. The goal? To empower students to become more independent, hold the line in your classroom, and still have a life outside of teaching. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode253 Resources: Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 123: What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students DoEpisode 155: How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science ClassroomEpisode 202: What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test Episode 223: What to Do When Students Simply Won’t Do Their Work

A new school year calls for new boundaries, and it’s high time we stopped letting email rule our lives. Teaching is your job, not your whole identity, and nobody should expect you to be available 24/7! In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-week mini-series on boundaries by tackling one of the biggest struggles for teachers: constant digital access. I get personal about my own journey with becoming unavailable, why these boundaries matter, and how they can help us teach others to become independent problem-solvers. I’ll also address the biggest pushback I get and share five practical tips for holding the line and responding to email strategically instead of reactively. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode252 Resources: Inbox When Ready (Chrome Extension)Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 70: “It Isn’t an Attack on You: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 195: A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication with Guest Mandy FarrarEpisode 199: How to Not Take Work Home (In Your Head, or in Reality) This School YearEpisode 207: Dealing With Combative Parents - 6 Tips and 2 Warnings

Teaching science is about more than getting through the standards! In this episode, I’m sharing five critical life skills I want you to intentionally teach this school year. I’ll share practical ways to build these skills into what you’re already doing while helping students become more capable, confident, and resilient humans...not just successful science students! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode251 Resources Mentioned: Life Skills PDF (FREE!)RADAR Signs (FREE!)Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 47. 2 Ways That Learning Happens and How to Create a Classroom Culture That Fosters ItEpisode 136. Building a Team Mindset Into Your Classroom CultureEpisode 145. How to Build Resilience in Students Post-PandemicEpisode 147. Content Coverage - How to Get Through All of the StandardsEpisode 155. How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science ClassroomEpisode 175. How and WHY I Teach Students to Take NotesEpisode 219. Study Guides for High School Science ClassesEpisode 244. Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie DupuieEpisode 246. Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks

To celebrate 250 episodes of Secondary Science Simplified, I’m answering listener questions covering everything from coworker relationships and classroom organization to block schedules and student connections. I’m sharing practical strategies for balancing direct instruction and inquiry, navigating scripted curriculum, managing a season when you don’t have the time or energy to do everything, and integrating faith into a science classroom. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode250 Resources Mentioned: FREEBIE: Anatomy of a Class Period (never lecture more than 15 min!): Individual lab supplies in shoebox lids (12 for $28)AP Science Teacher PlaylistGrading Playlist Curriculum Design 101 Starts Here! (Episode 80) Christianity and Evolution blog postDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts: Episode 71, “I’m the Problem, It’s Me”: Working with Difficult Coworkers and Admin with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 149, Teaching on a Block Schedule - Why It’s Not as Bad as You ThinkEpisode 246, Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks

I’ve mentioned Board Points on this podcast more times than I can count, but somehow I’ve never given them their own episode. Today, we’re finally fixing that! I’m sharing how I started using Board Points, why they became a game-changer for one challenging class, and exactly how I use them to build teamwork and reduce individual behavior management. I’ll walk you through my simple system, answer common questions, and share creative ways to use points, class competitions, and rewards to keep students motivated and create that “we’re in this together” mentality. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode249 Resources Mentioned: BellINRS UnitsINRS Full Year CurriculumClassroom Management Podcast PlaylistDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts: Episode 90, Classroom Management Philosophy for Secondary Science TeachersEpisode 91, My Top 5 Classroom Management Routines and Procedures for High School Science TeachersEpisode 93, Simple Strategies for Classroom ManagementEpisode 246, Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks

Getting handed a brand new prep just days before school starts can feel like every teacher's nightmare. I've been there, and in this episode, I'm sharing five practical tips to help you tackle a last-minute course assignment without putting impossible expectations on yourself. We'll talk about how to advocate for the support you deserve, when to lean on existing curriculum instead of reinventing the wheel, and the simple mindset shifts that will help you survive (and even thrive!) when you've been "voluntold" to teach something new. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode248 Resources: INRS UnitsINRS Full Year CurriculumDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 185, When is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?Episode 229, Balancing Unrealistic Admin ExpectationsEpisode 235, Advocating for Yourself with Admin

Teaching physical science completely changed my perspective as an educator. It started out as the course I least wanted to teach, and somehow became the one I'd request if I ever returned to the classroom full-time! In this episode, I'm sharing why I fell in love with teaching physical science, the scope and sequence I used in my own classroom, and the big-picture goals that shaped every lesson. I'll also take you behind the scenes of the newly revamped It's Not Rocket Science® Physical Science curriculum, packed with new inquiry activities, engineering challenges, and classroom supports. Whether you're teaching physical science for the first time or looking for new ideas, this episode will leave you feeling excited and ready to make this one of your favorite courses to teach! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode247 Resources: Physical Science FULL YEAR CurriculumPhysical Science curriculum on TpT (over 400 5-star reviews!!)Physical Science Units Physical Science Scope and Sequence blog postSupplies Spreadsheet for INRS Physical Science curriculum FREEBIE - Get the Physical Science Pacing Guide Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 209, Anatomy Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Anatomy the Way That I Do Episode 220, Biology Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Biology the Way That I Do Episode 232, Chemistry Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Chemistry the Way That I Do

One simple classroom tool has completely changed the way I manage my classroom, build relationships, and keep every student engaged…and it costs just a few dollars! In this episode, I'm sharing how I use popsicle sticks to create fair participation, build meaningful classroom discussions, and make sure every student feels seen. I'll walk you through how I make and use them, simple ways to reduce participation anxiety, and an alternative system from a fellow teacher that might be the perfect fit for your classroom! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode246 Resources Mentioned: Popsicle sticksRADAR postersRADAR BlogpostINRS unitsINRS Full Year CurriculumDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts: Episode 141, First Day of School Tips + What I Cover in My First Units of the YearEpisode 143, My Top 5 Favorite Teacher Hacks for the New School YearEpisode 225, What to Do When Your Class Won’t Talk With You

The right mindset can completely change your teaching experience, and Alex Crim is proof of that. In this episode, Alex shares how switching schools, teaching high school biology and AP Environmental Science, and balancing coaching with his master's program helped him discover that connection and consistency matter more than simply covering content. We also dive into practical grading hacks, AP teaching strategies, responsible AI use, and why making science relevant can transform student engagement. His perspective is such a refreshing way to head into a new school year! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode245 Resources: INRS Biology Curriculum that Alex uses! Prime Times SSS Virtual PD Bundle Book: Teach Your Class OffZipGradeFacebook group: National APES TeachersContact Alex: [email protected] Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: [email protected]  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 126, Teaching AP Environmental Science with Ashton AllgoodEpisode 213, Everything You Need to Know About Teaching AP Biology with Tiffany AP Bio PenguinsEpisode 243, Creating Competition, Teaching AP, and 18 Preps with Brennan Koch of Stoich DecksEpisode 244, Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program with Katie Dupuie