Why Smart Teachers Plan Routines in June (Not August)

June teacher planning is the secret to a calm and confident start to the school year. August feels far away... until it’s not. You blink, and suddenly you’re staring down the chaos of the first week of school. But what if you could walk in cool, confident, and already in control?

Teaching is such a unique profession. We waltz into summer like we’ve been set free from a 10-month sprint—hello patio lattes, poolside reads, and golden-hour bike rides. No other job lets you pause like this. Summer is sacred.

And then... bam. It’s August 1. That creeping feeling of anxiety starts to show up uninvited. I remember all too well how the Sunday Scaries would hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s hard to explain to anyone outside the world of education, but in our circle, we’ve coined it The Teacher Fright here at the Teachers Empowerment Network.

Those well-intentioned vows of “Next year will be different!” vanish, and suddenly, you’re winging it again. Tired, stressed, and wondering why your brilliant ideas flew the coop. Cue the spiral: "Why didn’t I plan? Why didn’t I prep?" And just like that, you’re back in survival mode.

But listen—I’m not going to let that be your story this year.

For nearly a decade, I lived in the land of last-minute. But when I started planning in June, everything changed. What if you tried our way just once… and realized you’re never going back? Think of it like working out on a day you don’t want to. You never regret how good it feels afterward.

Are you going to regret moving from frazzled to fabulous? Nope.

Let’s get to it. Here are 3 simple steps to help you plan your first three days now, while your brain still works and your iced coffee still tastes like freedom.

🔹 Tip #1: Plan Your First 3 Days Now

Minute-by-Minute Lesson Plans for Effective June Teacher Planning

Yup, I said minute by minute. Grab your notebook and your beach towel—we’re dream-planning by the pool.

Start by visualizing your dream classroom. What does it look like during your first week? What does it sound like? Feel like? Now jot it all down.

Then, flip the script: how would you feel if your classroom moved like a well-oiled machine?

Would you finally make it to that spin class? Have patience left for your kids at night? Time to date or just sit down and breathe? Yes, yes, and yes.

Now let’s make it real. Start mapping out your first three days, beginning with the first five minutes of Day One. Be intentional.

What happens when students walk in?
Where do they sit?
What do they see?
What’s your arrival routine?

Confidence comes from preparedness—and students feel it.

When you’ve thought through the details, your energy shifts. And their behavior will too.

🔹 Tip #2: Build Classroom Routines That Teach Themselves

Design Systems That Run Without You

Okay, dreamer. You just described a classroom where transitions are seamless and kids are thriving. Now let’s reverse-engineer that vibe.

Start a routine brain dump: arrival procedures, line-up signals, turning in work, movement breaks, etc.
Write a clear procedure for each item.
Plan how you’ll teach and reinforce it.

Will students line up silently? Use a hallway chant? Whisper? Choose what matches your style and sets the bar.

TopTEN Pro Tip: Students don’t know what we haven’t taught. That includes why a hallway should be quiet. Teach it. Model it. And when needed, re-teach it with grace.

🔹 Tip #3: Model Student Expectations with Student Voice in Mind

Lectures Don’t Work—Ownership Does

So how do we teach students to own high expectations? Through modeling and reflection.

Let’s say you’re teaching snack time:

Students wash hands
Get their snack
Sit down with level 1–2 voices and a visible timer

Afterward, debrief:

What went well?
What can we improve tomorrow?
That’s student voice in action.

A student might say, “Let’s use fewer paper towels,” or “Let’s keep voices lower.” You didn’t lecture—you modeled, they reflected, and your classroom culture just leveled up.

🌟 Final Thoughts: June Planners Win the Year

Want a school year that runs smoother, feels better, and doesn’t crush your soul before October?

Plan in June

Use rainy days, early mornings, or quiet patio time to dream and map. You’ll walk in confident, creative, and clear-headed.

Ready for support that makes it easier?

Grab the First 3 Days of School Course and downloadable workbook to build routines based on Student Voice, High Expectations, and Relationships (our TopTEN pillars).
Explore the Confident Teacher Course for 1:1 coaching to build systems with clarity and joy.

💬 About Teachers Empowerment Network & TopTEN Teachers Network

At TEN, we’re on a mission to help teachers move from overwhelmed to unstoppable. We believe that with the right systems, mindset, and support, you can become the teacher you dreamed of being—and love your life outside the classroom too.

Ready to be a TopTEN Teacher? Let’s do this. 💥