14: Making Time for Science: Practical Support for New Teachers with Packed Schedules

Is science always the first subject to get cut when you’re short on time? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Inspired Educator, Dr. LaToya Crockett welcomes Anissa Williams, a Science Coordinator who shares practical, real-world advice for bringing science back into your classroom—without feeling overwhelmed or off track. With a background in middle school science and K–12 curriculum support, Anissa understands the realities new teachers face: tight schedules, lack of materials, and limited confidence with science content. But she’s here to remind us: you don’t have to be an expert to spark curiosity. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 🔬 Why you don’t need a science degree to teach great science lessons 🧠 Mindset shifts to stop feeling intimidated by STEM content 📚 How to blend science into ELA, math, and writing for seamless integration 📊 Creative ways to assess science understanding—without paper-pencil tests 👩🏾‍🏫 How to pace your science lessons without skipping the hands-on parts 🎯 The importance of exposure over perfection in early grades 🧪 What a high-quality science lesson really looks like (hello, 5E model!) 💡 Key Takeaways from Anissa: You don’t have to be the expert—just create opportunities for discovery. Science can be taught in small chunks throughout the day. Use reading time for science texts, writing time for evidence-based claims, and math time for measurement and graphing. Scripted curriculum is your friend. Read it. Follow it. It’s built to support you. Engagement starts with the “hook.” The 5E model helps make lessons exciting, hands-on, and memorable. 📌 Perfect For: First and second-year teachers feeling overwhelmed by science K–5 teachers juggling multiple content areas Career changers unsure how to teach STEM Educators looking for time-saving strategies that still promote student curiosity and engagement Loved this episode? ✅ Subscribe ✅ Leave a review ✅ Share it with a fellow educator