Why summer is the best time to build routines that stick!

As a former teacher, I know how easy it is to fall into survival mode during the school year. You’re up early, running on caffeine, barely sitting for lunch, and by 3 PM you’re running on fumes (and maybe a leftover granola bar from your desk drawer from who knows when).

That’s why I’ve learned this truth the hard way:
If you wait until August to get back into a wellness routine… it probably won’t stick.
But if you start small now, while your schedule is (even slightly) more flexible — those habits can carry you through the chaos of back-to-school.

So if you’re a teacher (or teacher-adjacent) trying to take better care of yourself this year, let’s talk about how to set yourself up for success — starting in July.

Hydration Is the Easiest First Win

Before you overhaul your entire routine, let’s start with the easiest fix:

Drink more water.

Not in a “you must drink 128 oz a day or else” kind of way — but in a gentle nudge kind of way.

Start the day with 10-20 oz of water before your first coffee.
Throw in a dose of electrolytes (I use Hydrated from MAKE Wellness) and boom - you’re already ahead of where you were yesterday.

You can also grab a 15% discount on an Owala bottle! Check them out HERE and use my code TECHANDTEACHABILITY for your discount!

📱 Bonus: I use Waterllama to track hydration and keep it kind of fun.

My Owala signed by characters at Disney!!

Move a Little. Don’t Overthink It.

July is a great time to build a movement habit without needing a fancy gym or a strict routine. Try:

Morning walks before it gets too hot
5-minute YouTube stretch videos
A standing or walking pad during work-from-home tasks (I walk on my pad while folding clothes and listening to a podcast or catching up on a fave show; multitasking at it's finest!) Here's a link (Amazon affiliate) for the exact one I have!

You’re not training for a marathon — you’re just reminding your body that movement is safe and energizing.

Create a Simple Weekly Planning System

The best back-to-school routines aren’t rigid. They’re flexible frameworks you can fall back on when everything else gets hectic.

Use July to:

Try a weekly planning template (I use a Canva weekly planner; grab it free HERE!)
Plug in meals, workouts, top 3 priorities, and 1 mindset reminder
Get used to checking in with it every Sunday (even if you’re just writing “eat leftovers” or “sit down for 5 minutes”)

This is about building a routine that works with your brain, not against it.

Start Your Peptide Routine Before You Need It

MAKE Wellness peptides have been a game changer for me — and summer is the perfect time to test them out before school starts. I take:

Lean: for bloat, metabolism, and sugar cravings
Fit and Hydrated: for muscle recovery and electrolyte support
Focused: for mental clarity when I’m writing or in Zooms
Calm: before bed, especially on screen-heavy days

Starting in July means I’ve already figured out what works for me - and I’m not troubleshooting while also printing syllabi and answering 47 emails.

💛 Want to try them? Here’s my link to save:https://makewellness.com/256441/

Build the Habit Now, So It’s Just “What You Do” in August

July gives you time to experiment, reflect, and adjust without the pressure of a full teaching schedule.

Start with one habit. Stack another. And by the time your classroom keys are back in your hand, your reset routine won’t feel like one more thing - it’ll feel like normal.

You don’t need to be perfect.

You just need to start.

✅ Want to reset with me?

Grab my free Sunday Reset Kit, join the upcoming Teacher Reset Challenge (more info in the newsletter!), or just follow along on Instagram for tips, check-ins, and realistic teacher wellness tools.

Because you deserve to feel good in your body before the school bell rings. 💛

Jessica

Looking for simple tech tools to help you stay organized as a teacher or curriculum writer? These 5 tech tips and hacks help with planning, focus, wellness, and productivity — and they actually work.

👋 Why These Tools Work (Especially for Teachers)

Whether you’re still in the classroom or working behind the scenes as a curriculum writer, chances are you’re juggling a million things. I’ve been a teacher, I write computer science curriculum now, and I also try to live a semi-healthy life with meal prep, walking, and a lot of Zoom meetings.

These are my go-to tech tools for teachers and busy humans in general — they help me stay organized, focused, and less overwhelmed, both personally and professionally.

1. 📝 Google Keep – The Best Free Note-Taking App for Teachers

If your brain runs on sticky notes, Google Keep is going to feel like magic.

I use this tool to:

Collect content ideas for Instagram or my blog
Save links, recipes, and lesson brainstorms
Jot down quick reminders during curriculum calls or planning blocks

Why it works:
✅ Color-coded notes
✅ Checkbox options for to-do lists
✅ Syncs across phone and desktop

💡 Bonus teacher tip: Create labels like “Sub Plans,” “Meal Prep,” or “Parent Notes” to stay organized.

📝Want some FREE Keep headers? Grab the template here!

2. 📅 Canva Weekly Planner – My Visual Sunday Reset System

Planning in a digital notebook is great — but sometimes I need something visual and calming. That’s why I created my own Canva weekly planner template.

Each week, I plug in:

My top 3 priorities
What I’m eating (I meal prep!)
Movement or wellness goals
One line for mindset or intention

I use this weekly planner on my iPad, or I print it out and keep it on my desk. It’s perfect for visual learners and burned-out teachers alike.

👉 Want the template? CLICK HERE

3. 💧 Waterllama App – Stay Hydrated (and Motivated)

As a teacher or curriculum writer, it’s way too easy to go all day without drinking enough water. Waterllama is a hydration tracking app that helps you stay consistent — and the design is actually fun.

It tracks:

Water (the free version only tracks water)
Tea
Smoothies
Electrolytes or wellness drinks (like my MAKE Wellness peptides)

The streaks, friendly reminders, and hydration goals make it way more fun to stay on track — even during back-to-back Zooms.

*Please note that the paid version offers much more functionality; it's $9.99 per year or $24.99 for Lifetime.

4. 🤖 ChatGPT – A Time-Saving Tool for Teachers and Creators

This is probably the most powerful teacher productivity tool I’ve added to my routine.

Ways I use ChatGPT:

“Create a warm-up for 5th grade science on weather patterns”
“Write a caption for a reel about meal prepping”
“Make a grocery list for 3 simple anti-inflammatory meals”

It’s like having a brainstorming partner that doesn’t get tired.

💡 Reminder: Don’t copy-paste — edit the output to make it sound like you.

5. ⏱️ Focus Timer App – My Burnout Prevention Hack

You don’t need fancy productivity tools. You just need a timer.

I use a Pomodoro-style timer (25 minutes focus, 5 minutes break) with apps like Focus Keeper or Forest. This helps me:

Write more efficiently
Avoid digital fatigue
Take intentional breaks (sometimes on my walking pad!)

💡 Pair with peptides + hydration = energy boost that actually lasts

🙌 Final Thoughts: Tech Tools That Help You Do Less, Better

You don’t need 50 apps and 12 planners. You just need a few tools that match your brain and make your routine feel smoother.

These are my everyday teacher tech essentials — and I use them to support my wellness, prep my meals, and manage my work-from-home life as a curriculum writer and teacher supporter.

📥 Want my free Sunday Reset Kit? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram @techandteachability to be the first when I send it out!

💬 What tool helps you feel more organized? Drop a comment or connect with me on Instagram!

Jessica

If you’ve ever wasted precious planning time clicking through your Google Drive just to open a new Doc... this post is going to save your sanity.

As a curriculum writer (and former teacher), I live inside Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets. And I’m always looking for ways to simplify tech for teachers — especially those little tricks that make life just a bit easier.

This one? Pure gold.

💻 Just Type `.new` and GO

Next time you need to open a new file fast, try this:

docs.new → instantly opens a blank Google Doc
slides.new → opens a new Google Slides deck
sheets.new → opens a new Google Sheet
forms.new → opens a blank Google Form
keep.new → opens a new Google Keep note
cal.new or meeting.new → creates a new Google Calendar event.

That’s it. Type it in your browser bar like a website. No clicks, no waiting.

✨ Why This Shortcut Is a Game-Changer

✅ Saves time — no more digging through Drive or clicking “+ New”
✅ Works anywhere — as long as you’re logged into your Google account
✅ Perfect for on-the-fly ideas — lesson brainstorms, quick trackers, sub plans, etc.

🧑‍🏫 Real-Life Uses for Teachers

Jotting down a last-minute sub plan
Starting a new lesson outline
Creating quick checklists or bell ringers
Tracking behavior or notes in Sheets
Drafting a parent communication email
Creating an emergency quiz in Google Forms

💬 Want More Time-Saving Tech Tips?

I share simple, doable tips like this every week over on Instagram → @techandteachability

You can also check out my free Sunday Reset Kit (coming soon!) for planners, wellness tools, and teacher-tested favorites.

Jessica

Meal prep doesn’t have to be extreme. No color-coded containers. No full Sundays lost to chopping.

As a curriculum writer and former teacher, I still work long hours on Zoom and need to eat well — but I also want it to be easy, repeatable, and realistic. After years of trial and error (and burnout), I’ve landed on a simple system that keeps me fed, saves time, and actually works.

Here’s exactly what I do each week — plus the tools that make it 10x easier.

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

🛒 Step 1: Plan 2 Proteins + 2 Meal Combos

I don’t cook 7 different meals. I repeat on purpose.

Each week I choose: (examples in parentheses)

2 main proteins (like ground turkey + baked chicken)
2 meal combos that can be remixed across 4–6 meals

For example:

🥗 Taco bowls (ground turkey, beans, rice, salsa, greens)
🌶️ Turkey Chili (ground turkey, canned tomatoes, black beans, chopped onions)
🍽 Sheet pan chicken with roasted veggies + sweet potatoes
🥗 Chicken Pasta Salad (chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cheese, mushrooms)

Why it works: I’m not stuck eating the same exact meal over and over, but I’m also not cooking every day.

🧹 Step 2: Clean + Prep the Kitchen First

I start with a clear counter and empty dishwasher/sink. This step sounds boring but saves so much frustration mid-prep.

Tool I use:
🧽🫧🧻 Basic cleaning supplies like countertop sprays and paper towels

I love Dawn Powerwash Spray! It's so versatile and gets EVERYTHING clean! I also like using reusable paper towels, Blueland dishwashing tablets, and dish soap brush and bar.

🔪 Step 3: Keep the Counters Clear as I Go

Instead of letting veggie scraps, packaging, and mess pile up while I prep, I keep my cutting board with a side container right on the counter. I use a big bowl nearby as a "scrap bucket" to collect trash, peels, or compost — and it keeps the space clean and my brain calm.

By the time I’m done chopping, I can dump the bowl and wipe down once instead of stopping five times to clean up. It makes a huge difference.

Tools I use:

🧺 This cutting board with a side container — makes scrap cleanup a breeze
🥣 Giant mixing bowl — I dump scraps as a I go, then rinse it all at once!

Jessica

This is your sign to take your students to Disney.

I've taken some groups to Disney World and it's been AMAZING!! It does seem a bit overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Don't know where to start? I gotchu boo.

I've compiled an informational blog post for you to know where to start.

Decide on dates

I usually do 4 days over Mardi Gras Break or Spring Break.
If your school district allows, take the trip over regular school days. It's up to you!

Decide on who you will invite

What grade levels? I do 4th and 5th grade. I've done middle school in the past. My daughter went with her High School Marching Band and they marched down Main Street!
Will you require an adult with every child?
Will you allow other family members? (I allow siblings of the parents if the student come, but everyone pays the same price)

Get in touch with Disney.

Fill out an Imagination Campus interest form on https://www.disneycampus.com/
A Cast Member will contact you within 2 weeks via email.
This person is your best friend. You’ll talk with them for everything to get started and set up.

Imagination Campus

This is Disney's student field trip program.
They have performing arts and education workshops.
Decide on which program you want and book it ASAP. They fill up quickly.
Since Imagination Campus started, we've done Technology of Disney Parks and this year we are doing Broadway Magic!

Pictures from last year's Technology of Disney Parks

We got to explore behind the scenes at the American Adventure to see how the animatronics worked and how the trackless ride works at Remy's. The students were given tasks to complete and work together through the Design Process.

This year, we are doing something more in line with our Magnet School Theme. We are participating in a workshop called "Broadway Magic" where we will get to work with Disney Teaching Artists to learn a little bit more about the entertainment industry. According to the website, "

"In the Disney Broadway Magic – Musical Theatre Workshop, students gain an understanding of the fundamentals of musical theatre through participation—including breath control, diction and character development.

Industry professionals will lead students in fast-paced rehearsals of a scene from one of Disney’s world-famous shows—culminating in a show-stopping final performance!

This Broadway theatre workshop also offers students critical insights into audition techniques, the importance of every role in a production and how to overcome unexpected obstacles during performances." - Broadway Magic Imagination Campus

We've been practicing with the students on their piece of performance and it's going so well! Now, this workshop said it's best for Middle and High school students, but our 4th and 5th graders have been performing at our school since Kindergarten so I think they've got a leg up on the competition. It's going to be so fun!

Decide on accommodations.

Will you stay on property? If yes, ask your Imagination Campus contact for quotes on rooms.
Usually a value resort will be the cheapest, but they will quote you on any of your top three choices.
If you stay off property make sure you have transportation to and from the parks worked out.

We like to stay at Value Resorts - they have a bit smaller rooms but they are cheaper and most affordable for most families. Pop Century is my favorite!

Pull Down Murphy Bed

Decide on Tickets

How many days will you need? We do 4 days
Do you want Park Hoppers?

We get park hoppers so we aren’t stuck at one park all day, especially if it’s super busy.

Do you want water parks?

Decide on transportation.

Will you fly or take a bus?
Bus is infinitely more affordable than flying, and in Louisiana we aren't that far from Florida.
I’ve used Dixieland Charter, Hotard, and Spangler Tours. Hotard has been the most comfortable but also most expensive. Find a local bus company for your school!
It takes 9.5 hours from Baton Rouge to Orlando.
We leave at 9 pm at night and drive through the night, waking up on the Florida Turnpike!

Decide on your Itinerary.

Sample - Disney World Trip Itinerary 2024
When we wake up on the bus, we stop at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza on the turnpike. Here, we freshen up - brush teeth, hair, get dressed, get breakfast, drink coffee - the basics.

Then we get back on the bus and head to the resort.
The resort will hold your bags for you. Your room will be ready around 3 or 4. Sometimes earlier!

Decide on Dining

Will you provide a card or vouchers? (I do cards; the funds never expire)
Will families have to pay for their own food? This could make for a cheaper package for your families, but they will have to budget for themselves when in Disney.

Book everything through your Imagination Campus Cast Member.

Accommodations
Tickets
Meals
Program
Extras

Please Note: You can use a Travel Agent, but all funds MUST go through the travel agency. Since our trip is a school based trip, our district won't let this fly - we have to do things from the school. Thankfully Disney will take school organizational checks, as well as school based Credit Cards and wire transfers.

Meal Cards/Vouchers

I do Meal Cards - The funds act like cash and never expire; this gives more flexibility for families to purchase meals to share.
Vouchers are a set price each (like $13.90 for breakfast or $16 for lunch/dinner) and will include an entree and a drink.

Decide on Fundraisers/Sponsors.

If you do any fundraisers, I usually total the amount raised, divide it by the number of STUDENT participants, and then subtract from the total due.
For example, if I have 20 students coming, and we raise $1000, I will subtract $50 from their totals. So If Johnny and his mom are coming, and their total is $2,000, I will subtract $50, making their balance due $1,950.

Decide on a payment plan for your families.

I do 5 payments of $210, spread throughout the year and then 1 payment of the balance due.
This is what was charged this year:

Accommodations: $340 per person (based on double occupancy)
Tickets: $450 (we do park hoppers) per person
Bus: $270 per person
T-Shirts: $15 per person (1 t-shirt for the day we have our program)
Dining Card: $200 per person
Total: $1,275

Each year we have to increase the price by about 15% to account for Disney’s price raises; but if the amount is less I do adjust the payments for the families. Next year we are floating the idea of not including the meal card.
This is a significantly cheaper trip than planning a direct one from Disney. There's discounted tickets AND if you can get a Tax Exempt form from Florida (ask your district office!) your trip will be TAX FREE!!

Type up an informational packet. Here is mine: 2024 Disney Trip Informational Packet

Here is an informational slideshow from this past year:

And finally, find a co-sponsor who is crazy enough to take twenty 9 and 10 year olds with you on a cross country field trip for four days.

Don't forget to have fun!!

I hope this blog post helps you plan a magical outing for students at your school.

Jessica

Hello and welcome to my summer post on MEAL PREPPING!

Every summer, I work for LSU developing curriculum and teaching teachers about that curriculum. I spend the entire month of June in front of a computer from 8 am to 5 pm. I'm exhausted by the end of the day, and my summer doesn't really start until it's over. Then I usually take a vacation with my family at the beginning of June. And I come back to finally get two weeks of summer before going back to school! It's crazy.

So I meal prep. I make freezer meals that I can easily pull out of the freezer and dump in a slow cooker or on a sheet pan instead of having to spend every day fixing dinner. My meal plan in particular is for 7 weeks and takes into account my vacation and my first two weeks of school.

I am also doing the Ultimate Portion Fix from BODi (Beachbody and Autumn Calabrese), which if followed correctly it provides enough food for that day, sometimes more than enough. I am trying to lose weight so I am following the plan according to the formula and I am working out daily. This meal plan is for the UPF Plan A which is between 1200-1400 calories a day. So my weekly plans cover all these containers and foods.

The daily plans include all containers for that day, with snacks; however, sometimes I don’t eat all the containers. If I’m not hungry, I won’t eat it. And let me just say I am not a registered dietician, or expert in diets and health and can only plan according to my knowledge of UPF.

I plan every detail. From shopping list to how to prepare the freezer meals to how to get ready each week of the plan.

And this is how my meal prep goes:

For the massive Freezer Meal Prep day, I schedule a Walmart Grocery Delivery for some time that morning or the Saturday evening before (click here for referral link; you'll get $20 added to your account when you join Walmart Plus!). Walmart plus is $12.95 a month or $98 a year and in my opinion totally worth it. I get access to unlimited free home delivery, free shipping from website, Paramount Plus subscription, a fuel discount of 10 cents per gallon at Murphy and Exxon, Scan and Go at the stores, Walmart Rewards, and more.

So when I get my groceries, I can store them or if it's early enough on Sunday (my meal prep day) I get started.

Then all I have to do is start prepping the meals.

Most meals go in the storage bags. Some go in the foil pans. I have labels made so I can easily stick on the bags and pans and know what's inside. They are waterproof labels from Avery. All information is in the download.

Then, for each week I defrost what is needed. I also purchase fresh fruits and vegetables each week for breakfast, snacks, or lunch. So each week I do have minor meal prepping to do. I usually meal prep on Sundays. I make sure to have a clean kitchen and several meal prep containers ready. Depending on what I’m prepping, this could take an hour or more. I prep everything into containers. Unless it’s a single piece of fruit (if I don’t want that fruit cut), like an apple or banana that I can just grab when it’s time for a snack.

And that's it. You can grab my meal plan at the link below. It includes the labels and also a template to make your own.

Some common meal prep questions:

"But what if I'm not hungry for what I meal prep?"

Then I don't eat it. I'm not stuck with this plan. There are some days I want Raising Cane's so I go and get it.

"But what if I have an event to go to?"

I go to it. I eat the food there. I enjoy myself. I'll have leftovers later.

"What about healthy eating choices? What if there aren't any at the event?"

So what? Eat and enjoy. A well balanced diet is eating what you want, in moderation.

"Can I drink alcohol?"

Heck yeah. Drink and be merry.

"What if I don't follow the plan exactly? What if I don't want all the containers?"

Then I don't eat it. Food is not the enemy. Food is not in control. I am. I decide what I want, how much I want, and when I want it. I just use this plan as a guide. I don't actually use the containers to measure every piece of food. As long as I am making healthy choices the majority of the time, I'm good. I've already lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks and I feel great. So much healthier, lighter, and my IBS is under control. I've also eaten cookies and ice cream and have had no regrets.

Click the pic below to gain access to my 7 week Freezer Meal Plan.

Jessica

Bring some fun into your sequence of events lessons with this easy to set up sequencing activities packet. With this "plug and play" packet you can add sequencing centers, forms, and games into any lesson or program you have in your classroom.