Secondary Science Simplified™

Mid-year is when the cracks start to show - expectations fade, routines get sloppy, and classroom management feels heavier than it should. In this episode, I share why you can reset classroom management at any point in the year and walk you through the mindset shift, conversations, and practical steps that make a mid-year reset actually work. We’ll talk about identifying your biggest classroom pain points, clearly communicating new...

The “new year, fresh start” energy feels exciting, but can also be overwhelming! This episode cuts through the noise with a refreshingly simple approach to goal setting. Instead of complicated systems, you’ll focus on just two questions: what you want to do more of this year and what you want to do less of, both personally and in your science classroom. We’ll talk about prioritizing yourself, identifying energy and time drains, get...

It's time to hear the top episode of 2025, and it’s easy to see why this was a crowd favorite! I’m joined by high school chemistry and physics teacher Amanda Farrar, who shares her system for parent communication. She uses an intentional, data-driven approach that builds trust, lowers stress, and keeps the focus on student growth. From practical email scripts and real classroom stories to handling tough parent moments and usin...

Our second most-listened-to episode of 2025 dives into inquiry-based teaching and why it’s essential, even when students push back. I break inquiry down into practical, classroom-ready strategies, explain why students struggle if they’ve only experienced passive “sit and get” learning, and share ways to make inquiry part of your classroom culture. Plus, I give my thoughts on the 5E model, three simple steps to get started immediate...

As we continue our end-of-year countdown, week three highlights one of 2025’s top episodes featuring Tiffany of AP Bio Penguins, an AP Biology teacher with 13 years of experience and a passion for creating free, high-impact review resources. In this conversation, Tiffany shares how her popular account began, her commitment to equity and access in AP prep, and practical strategies for simplifying labs, FRQs, grading, and student mot...

In December, we’re airing the top five most-played episodes of the year - and this conversation with Macee Huseman easily earned its spot! As a one-woman science department juggling six preps and three kids at home, Macee balances a heavy workload while still staying sane. We dig into everything from engaging students across multiple science subjects to using labs, routines, and even candy to spark curiosity. She also shares practi...

December is here, and we’re kicking off the month by bringing back your most-loved, most-listened-to episodes of Secondary Science Simplified to make the holiday chaos feel a little lighter! This week’s replay dives into practical, high-impact ways to differentiate for high achievers - without busywork or burnout. You’ll learn how to craft more challenging assessments, build a classroom culture that fosters autonomy and peer suppor...

AI may be getting better every day, but it’s still not coming for my job anytime soon - because, well…it struggles with science! While it can’t write a reliable test or answer key, it can make day-to-day teaching easier in some surprisingly helpful ways. In this episode, I’m sharing four new strategies for using AI alongside the It’s Not Rocket Science® curriculum (or any curriculum you’re working with). These tools won’t replace g...

Anatomy holds a special place in my heart, and in this episode, I share how I teach it and why I designed the It’s Not Rocket Science® Anatomy curriculum the way I did. I focus on sparking curiosity, weaving in three big themes, and prioritizing breadth over depth (hot take!). You’ll hear how this hands-on, student-centered curriculum engages learners with discovery stations, model-building, and real-world skills, all designed to m...

Are constant disruptions messing up your perfectly planned weeks? You’re not alone! When I taught at small schools in particular, it often felt like every week held a new disruption. Between spirit weeks, fire drills, and field trips, I sometimes wondered if I’d ever get a “normal” week with my students! In this episode, I'm sharing five practical tips for lesson planning that will keep learning moving even when weeks don’t go...

No matter how far we are into the school year, those dreaded surprise parent emails can still hit your inbox, often full of big emotions and even bigger accusations. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most challenging parts of teaching: handling combative parents with confidence and professionalism. I’m sharing six practical strategies (plus two important warnings) to help you stay calm, protect your peace, and respond in ...

Today’s the day! I’m finally doing a deep dive into my number one classroom procedure: PRIME TIMES®. I share the origin story, why they’re essential for classroom management and formative assessment, and practical strategies for making them work in any secondary science classroom. You’ll learn how to overcome common challenges like missing papers, time limits, absences, and accommodations, plus tips for adapting Prime Times® to fit...

Cell phone policies are one of the most debated topics for secondary teachers, and for good reason! They’re tough to get right. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest experiences with different approaches, what’s worked (and what’s totally failed), and the key factors to consider before setting your own rules. We’ll talk about how your personality, classroom values, and admin support all play a role, plus why engaging, purposeful l...

Once the school year is in full swing, meeting every learner’s needs can feel impossible, especially when it comes to supporting English learners. In this episode, I sit down with Risa Woods from Every Teacher for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and encouraging. Together, we dig into common misconceptions about who English learners are, why translation isn’t always the answer, and how focusing on academic language can b...

One of the toughest realities for teachers is realizing that your students are already behind before the year even begins. That’s exactly what we’re tackling in this episode. Last week, we talked about how to handle things when students fail a test at the end of a unit, but this week, I’m flipping the script (thanks to another great listener question!) and asking: what do you do when you realize that your students don’t have the ba...

Raise your hand if you've been called “the mean teacher” for holding firm on test policies! In this episode, we dive into what to do when students fail a test, from deciding on retakes or corrections to analyzing trends in student performance and reteaching where needed. You’ll hear practical tips for breaking down assessments by concept, setting up your gradebook to support real learning, and keeping clear boundaries that hel...

AI is everywhere right now, and if you’ve been feeling both curious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, a former high school biology teacher and co-founder of AI for Education, for a conversation about AI in the classroom. We explore why AI literacy is becoming a core skill for both teachers and students, how it’s reshaping traditional assignments like lab reports, and the surprisin...

Can you believe it?! We’ve officially hit the 200th episode of Secondary Science Simplified AND crossed over 200,000 listens — what a milestone! I’m so grateful for every teacher who tunes in and makes this community so special. To celebrate, I’m bringing back one of my favorite formats: an “Ask Me Anything” episode where I answer your top questions about classroom culture, student engagement, meaningful labs, department dynamics, ...

Work-life balance…it’s the unicorn we’re all chasing, isn’t it? In this episode, I’m sharing the practical strategies and mindset shifts that have helped me finally keep work at work. From being ruthless about what you grade, setting up overflow days, and maximizing your planning period, to outsourcing tasks and shifting classroom culture, you’ll walk away with realistic habits to lighten your load. Plus, I’ll share simple boundary...