Stop Recreating the Wheel: Save Time and Sanity in the Classroom

If you’ve ever spent your entire weekend creating the perfect classroom resource from scratch—only to find out Monday morning that someone else already made exactly what you needed—you’re not alone. Teachers are some of the most creative, passionate, and resourceful people out there, but that doesn’t mean we have to do everything the hard way.

Let’s talk about time. Yours is precious. And there’s a better way to get things done.

You Don't Have to Start From Scratch

There’s a common misconception that to be a great teacher, everything you use needs to be made by you. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, using high-quality resources created by other educators can be a sign of wisdom—not weakness.

There are hundreds of thousands of classroom-tested, beautifully designed tools already out there. The best part? Many of them are super affordable, or even free.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

There are entire communities of teachers creating resources, tools, and inspiration to make your life easier—and many of them are sharing their work for just a few dollars (or even free).

Websites and tools like:

• Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)

• Etsy

• Pinterest

• Teacher blogs and newsletters

• AI tools like ChatGPT and MagicSchool.ai

  
  

…are full of creative, classroom-tested resources that can save you hours of planning and designing.

AI is a game-changer in the classroom prep world. Need help drafting a lesson plan, brainstorming parent email wording, or generating differentiated questions for a story? You can do all of that (and more) in seconds. Think of it like your digital teaching assistant—no coffee required. Need a parent communication log? Done.Looking for an engaging novel study packet? Already out there. Want a super cute classroom decor set in your exact theme? Just search it—or ask an AI to help create it.

Share the Love

Don’t forget to check with your colleagues too. Often, the best resources are hiding in the classroom next door. Ask around. Swap ideas. Create a shared Google Drive folder for your grade level or subject team. You might be surprised at how much is already being done—and how happy others are to share.

A Freebie to Get You Started

To help you save time and get organized, I’m offering a free one-page planner that you can use digitally or print and post by your desk. It’s simple, effective, and designed with teachers in mind. [Click here to grab yours!]

Your time matters. Your energy matters. So stop feeling like you need to build every single thing from scratch. Use what’s already out there, tweak it for your students, and spend your saved time doing what really matters—teaching, connecting, and maybe even relaxing once in a while.