New to Teaching Middle School? Classroom Routines, Systems & Sanity Savers (Ep. 88)

Making the leap to middle school teaching can feel a little like being a brand-new teacher all over again. New building, new schedule, new systems, new everything. In this episode of The Teaching Toolbox Podcast, we’re talking about what it’s like to move into middle school and how to make that transition feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

Between us, we’ve moved schools, shuffled grade levels, switched buildings, and packed up classrooms more times than we can count. We’re bringing all of that experience to help you feel a little less alone and a lot more prepared.

In this episode, we talk about:
• The “mental load” of changing grade levels & why you’re not starting from scratch
• How past experience (elementary or high school) can actually be your secret strength in middle school
• Essential tools to set up first: planners, systems, file structures, and visual routines
• Why middle schoolers still need anchor charts, timers, checklists, and clearly posted procedures
• Adapting your favorite lessons instead of throwing them out: “tweak it, don’t toss it”
• What changes with classroom management in middle school & how to build in more structure
• Using bell ringers, exit tickets, and quick games to tighten up transitions and avoid downtime
• Helping students with time management, long-term projects, and prioritizing tasks
• How expectations can shift when you move from elementary to secondary (and why that can feel weird at first)
• The emotional side of transitions: loneliness, imposter syndrome, and finding “your people” in a new building
• Simple ways to build community with colleagues when there’s no formal team structure

We also connect back to recent episodes with guests like Martina from The Hungry Teacher, Andrea from History Gal, and Leah Cleary, and pull in their best advice for teachers who are changing roles or stepping into middle school for the first time.

🎧 If you’re moving to middle school next year, or even just thinking about it, this episode is your reminder that you already know how to teach. You’re just packing a few new tools into your teaching toolbox.

👉 Subscribe for more middle school teaching tips, classroom strategies, and teacher time-saving ideas.

👉 Check out our YouTube channels for more teaching tips: ‪@coloradoclassroom‬ ‪@CognitiveCardioMath‬ ​