Leaving at contract time isn’t magic—it’s systems.

If you’ve ever stayed late grading, prepping, or planning…
If you’ve ever watched the minutes tick past contract time while you were still drowning in to-dos…
If you’re ready to actually leave on time this year…

These are the three systems you need.

My Story

I still remember the day everything changed.

It was 3:15 p.m. I was pulling into my driveway—just ten minutes from school. And the moment I turned off my car, I burst into tears.

Not because I was overwhelmed…

But because for the entire week, I hadn’t stayed late once.
I wasn’t behind.
Next week was planned and prepped.
My grades were caught up.
My weekly newsletter was printed and ready to go for Monday.

And honestly? It almost felt like cheating.

But it wasn’t cheating.
It was systems.
Simple, repeatable systems that helped me regain my time, energy, and life outside of teaching.

And today, I’m sharing them with you.

The 3 Systems That Help Teachers Leave on Time

These three systems alone can transform your school year. Implementing them doesn’t require perfection—just consistency.

1. Lesson Planning

The Shift:
Planning the day of → Planning days or a week ahead

Before:
My entire prep was chaotic. Planning, prepping, grading, replying to emails… all mixed together.
I was constantly scrambling.

Now:
Monday prep is only for lesson planning.
No grading.
No prepping.
No emails.

I batch plan the entire week at once, which takes a fraction of the time because I’m focused.

Action Step:
Choose a block of time this week—just one—to batch plan instead of planning the morning of or right before you teach.

2. Prepping

The Shift:
Prepping the morning of → Prepping days or weeks ahead

Before:
I spent every morning frantically prepping materials for that day.
Copies, manipulatives, centers—it all fell on the mornings, which made the day start stressed.

Now:
Tuesday prep is only for prepping materials for the full week.
Copies done.
Centers set.
Materials organized.

I walked into school relaxed because everything was ready.

Action Step:
Choose a prep day this week dedicated solely to batch prepping your materials instead of doing it each morning.

3. Communication

The Shift:
Responding constantly → Responding with a system

Before:
I spent every prep, morning, and afternoon trying to catch up on emails.
My inbox was always overflowing.
I felt like I could never stay ahead of communication.

Now:
I write my weekly newsletter the week before, then tweak and print it on Friday so it’s ready for Monday.
I check emails twice a day for 10–15 minutes.
I have a “coming in” and “leaving” routine that gets my inbox back to zero.

I’m no longer tied to my inbox—and I respond with clarity instead of overwhelm.

Action Step:
Create a simple routine of checking your emails at two set times a day.
Pick one prep period a week to get caught up if needed.

Wrap Up

If you want to leave on time this year, it doesn’t come from working harder—it comes from creating systems that support you.

Today we covered:

• My story of finally leaving at contract time
  
  
• The 3 systems that made it possible:
  
  
• Planning
  
  
• Prepping
  
  
• Communication
  
  

These systems don’t just save time—they save your energy, your evenings, and your sanity.

Next Steps for Teachers

If you’re ready to stop staying late and start taking back your time:

• Preorder the Book + Unlock the 3-Day Training – Learn the exact systems that helped me leave at contract time consistently.
  
• Download the Prep Guide – Get ahead without sacrificing your nights and weekends.
  
• Join The Present Teacher Circle – Build sustainable systems with coaching, community, and support.
  

You deserve a life outside the classroom—and systems are how you get it.