Work reasonable hours. Serve students well. Have the time and energy to live your life beyond teaching.
You First is the go-to teacher productivity membership that helps you work more efficiently so you have more time and energy for yourself and your full life outside of school, without compromising your effectiveness as a teacher.
You’ll get ongoing support in working fewer hours without sacrificing your effectiveness through intentional curriculum, M-F support with me, bi-monthly Prep Power Hours, access to Teacher Communication Club, quarterly workshops & more.
IN TRUE STRATEGIC TEACHER FASHION, WE'RE SAYING SEE YA TO...
🥱 Feeling continuously behind at school. Starting every morning with a quick run to the copier only to find an error message? Not you, not anymore.
😠 Finding yourself frustrated by students or snapping at your partner because you’re stressed about your workload.
🫣 Downing chips and a yogurt five minutes before the bell and calling it lunch because you have so much work to do that you literally never get a break.
😵💫 Sitting in your car at the end of the day to get a moment of quiet before you attempt to take on your real life, while not feeling like you have the energy to do things for yourself or your family because you literally just want to crawl on the coach and dissociate
😔 Feeling like a failure because teaching is something you were so passionate about, but you just can’t see how you’re going to make it another 15 years
ALL OF THE ABOVE? WE DON'T KNOW 'EM.
It's time to step into your You First era: you know, the version of you who leaves work on time so that you never miss out on your favorite workout class, that date with a new book, or time with your family.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
NOT AROUND HERE.
Inside You First, you're about to:
⏰ Work five hours less a week (or more)... because you know how to make the teaching day work FOR you. You learn how to work efficiently and prioritize the most impactful work first. You are someone who wants to work only your contract hours, and taking back your first five hours proves to you that you can work sustainably without sacrificing your effectiveness.
💆 Leave work at the end of contract time guilt free… because you KNOW you’ve done the most important work, served kids well, and that the list will still be there on Monday.
🫶 Feel deeply supported… by a community of other educators just like you who know that prioritizing their needs is critical to being a highly effective teacher. You have access to a productivity expert (that’s me!) to help you troubleshoot and problem solve when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
💡Have 24/7 access to PD that serves, not drains you… you became a teacher because you love learning, but you’re over the cookie cutter PD that’s full of new ideas without time or actions to actually implement. Whenever you want to level up, your next step is at your fingertips, and you know you can go from learning to action all within one hour or less.
Which leads to you being able to...
🌴 Show up fully in your whole life because you’re no longer working when you’re not being paid. You become a better you, friend, parent, partner. You’re no longer grading at home or missing your favorite workout class because you stayed late. You feel no guilt taking time off to experience your son’s field trip or take a mental health day if you need it. You know your life beyond school is the priority, and that prioritizing you is what’s best for kids, too.
👩🏫 Become the 25 year veteran teacher who still loves showing up for work every day…because you master boundaries on your time and energy. You learn how to avoid burnout by noticing and putting your needs first.
🙅 Prioritize and set boundaries in your personal life with ease, too… because you’ve mastered strategies and skills backed by productivity science and project management. You become an efficient person who recognizes and tackles the important work first.
EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT INSIDE YOU FIRST:
(aka your best move to make 2024-2025 the school year you work reasonable hours):
This is not just *another* teacher resource membership, and it’s not a PD session that could’ve been an email (and that you tuned out and graded through, if we’re being honest).
Here you’ll become the teacher who finally leaves that stack of grading at school. Why? Because you have a plan for when you’re getting it done, and that plan doesn’t include sacrificing your weekend or your well-being.
In a profession known for expecting its professionals to be martyrs, you’ll be proof that you can serve the heck out of students AND still have energy to do more than just binge watch Netflix when you get home from school.
Goodbye chaotic mornings where you feel like you don’t even have a moment to breathe and hellllllo “I remember exactly why I became a teacher, because this is so freaking fun.”
Here's how we make it a reality:
We start with a quarterly topic related to strategic teaching
This Quarter's Topic:
Starting the New Year with Balance in Mind
Closing out 2024 and moving into 2025 focused on centering your needs in the new year.
Throughout the quarter, you'll experience you-centered, action-oriented PD, community, and unparalleled support:
Each quarter, you’ll engage deeply with a strategic teaching topic that’s aligned to the school year. Think of the quarterly focus as a way to continuously grow and build upon the work we’re doing with the Core Curriculum. With a new workshop and workbook each quarter, there’s always a new way to grow.
And we’re not just talking a new workshop. The quarterly focus is a full-on immersive experience. You'll get journal prompts and book and podcast recs to build self-awareness and mastery. It's like having a personal library and podcast playlist that's tailored to you.
Think: the perfect mix of action, reflection, and inspiration, fresh each quarter so that you’re not just the rinse-and-repeat teacher – you’re the one who’s constantly upping your game without overwork (promise).
QUARTERLY FOCUS
You’ll never feel stuck or unsure how to move forward. Each quarter, we’ll have two opportunities for live coaching, one aligned to the quarterly topic and one for any and every other Strategic Teaching question you have.
You show up and we’ll move you closer to your next time back milestone. You’ll leave each call with at least one action you can take to move you forward.
LIVE COACHING CALLS
Worried that you’ll run out of you-centered PD? Not around here, friend. Each quarter, we bring in a guest expert to share specialized knowledge and fresh perspectives on a Strategic Teaching topic.
Think: PD you’ll actually want to attend that leaves you feeling energized, not drained. You’ll feel ready to try new things both in your classroom and your life, all working towards the mission of being a balanced teacher.
GUEST EXPERT WORKSHOPS
Still working towards working only your contract hours? You need accountability to keep you on track to working only the time you’ve committed to. Twice a month, we open a Zoom room to cowork together. No more opening up your laptop with plans to “just work a little bit” and then having four hours go by. Join your You First community for added focus and accountability.
PREP POWER HOURS
There's a lot to dive into with You First. Focused member pathways help you determine which resources will help you get to your goals more quickly.
Using the member pathways and a series of questions, you'll develop your customized plan for You First, helping you decide what your first, next, and future actions are for taking back time as quickly as possible.
Think of it as your personalized GPS that tells you exactly how to navigate the resources and experiences in You First so you never feel lost or like you’re wasting your time (because let’s be honest, you have no time to waste).
MEMBER PATHWAYS
I refuse to let you be someone who checks out when your workload feels tough. You'll feel deeply seen by other passionate teachers also putting their needs first. Here you’re surrounded by other people working towards being the most effective yet efficient version of their teacher selves.
You'll feel inspired to take action every day, and find weekly support when the work gets tough. You ask questions or ask for help in troubleshooting a new productivity move, and you’ll get action-focused, no fluff coaching that defines your next move. You’re supported and challenged to keep moving, all for way less than the hundreds or thousands you’d spend on 1:1 coaching.
POCKET COACHING + COMMUNITY
On the last Saturday of each month, we reflect, celebrate, and plan for the month ahead. Here, you develop a powerful habit of intentional reflection and strategic planning. No more feeling like you’re just reacting to the chaos. You become someone who proactively designs your life to be fulfilling and balanced, both in and out of the classroom.
MONTHLY RESET CALL
Teacher Communication Club is your secret weapon for streamlining communication and saving hours each week. Ever dread writing emails or crafting feedback? Not anymore. With a library of templates and resources at your fingertips, you'll be whipping out clear, confident, and effective teacher communication like a pro.
Membership in TCC is an added bonus to quickly give you back time and energy for the things that really matter (like enjoying your life outside of school).
TEACHER COMMUNICATION CLUB
...plus you'll get access to the
You First Core Curriculum Library
for the duration of your membership:
THE CORE CURRICULUM LIBRARY
You know how sifting through irrelevant PD leaves you more drained than inspired? Yeah, not anymore. Here, you have a library of on-demand training tailored to your needs. You'll dive deep into grading hacks, boundary setting, and more, seeing quick wins that reignite your passion. Every experience is intentionally designed to give you an incredible return on your time investment, with an action-focused workbook, plug and play resources, and more. Plus, new workshops are added every quarter, so there's always something new to explore.
The Balance Blueprint
Digital Course
Define the Relationship
Workshop
The Group Work Workshop
Workshop
Simplified Semester Prep
Seven Day Challenge
Grading Streamlined
Workshop
The Batching Bundle
Comprehensive System
Boundaries for Educators
Workshop
Stress-Free Systems
Workshop
At this point, you might be thinking...
Is Jen reading my mind?
Well, no. But also, kind of? I've been exactly where you are.
Picture this: I’m in my second year of teaching and working 60 hour weeks.
I’m talking about arriving at school early, staying so late I miss the OrangeTheory class I’ve signed up for (RIP $12 late cancellation fee), heading home and grading while watching Netflix with my husband. I pulled all-nighters just to make report card deadlines, and worked my way through the weekend just to try to stay up to date.
And then, I got sick. Like, really sick. The flu, a sinus infection, and shingles all within two weeks. It was a wake up call that even though I loved teaching, I was quickly approaching burnout and I knew that if something didn’t change, I wouldn’t last much longer.
That summer, I became obsessed with productivity. I immersed myself in reading, podcasts, and mastering every strategy I could find. I did some deep work around boundaries and unlearning the belief that teachers need to put everyone else’s needs above their own. And, I earned my ScrumMaster certification, and started applying project management techniques to my teaching workload.
In three years, I went from working 60 hour weeks to only my contract hours… and won a national Teaching Excellence award while working 40 hours a week.
I’m not here to waste ANYONE’S time. I know exactly what you need and exactly what you do NOT.
FAQs
I'm already feeling overwhelmed. How much time will I need to invest in You First each week?
I get it, you're busy and the last thing you need is another time-consuming commitment. That's why You First is designed to be flexible and self-paced. You can engage with the content and community as much or as little as you like, depending on your schedule and needs. Most members find that even small, consistent steps can lead to big changes over time.
What kind of results can I expect from joining You First?
Results will vary depending on your unique situation and goals, but many members report feeling more in control of their time, more confident in their ability to set boundaries, and more energized and passionate about their teaching. They've been able to streamline their workload, communicate more effectively, and create more space for self-care and life outside of school.
Is there a minimum commitment?
You First is a monthly subscription, and we want you to be blown away by the value. We hope you'll stay forever, but you can cancel anytime, no questions asked.
How is the content delivered? Is it all live or are there recorded options?
First includes a mix of live workshops, Q&A sessions, and co-working times, as well as our recorded content that you can access anytime. We understand that life happens and you might not be able to attend every live session, so we make sure to provide recordings and alternative ways to engage.
Do I have to be a classroom teacher to benefit from You First? What if I'm in a different role? Is this designed for specific grades?
You First is designed for classroom teachers and other instructional support staff. However, many of the strategies and principles can be applied to other roles in education. If you're a coach, administrator, or soon-to-be teacher, you'll still find value in the focus on boundary-setting, effective communication, and streamlining your workload.
Do you offer refunds?
Due to the digital nature of this product, we do not offer refunds. Thank you for understanding!
Have a question not answered here? Shoot me an email at jen@jenmanlyedu.com and let's chat!
You’ve made it this far, so here’s what I know about you…
You are someone who is in teaching for all the right reasons: you became a teacher to positively impact kids, but you’ve found yourself exhausted and questioning whether you’ll be able to make it another three, let alone 15, years.
You’re tired of being told to “just stop working outside of your contract hours”
Because here’s the thing: going from 60 hour weeks to 40 hour weeks cold turkey without compromising your effectiveness? Virtually impossible.
AND deep down, you know that it’s possible to work reasonable hours and still be a highly effective teacher.
You know that you’re meant to be in the profession long term. You love teaching, and what you want more than anything is to spend more of your time making magic. You know, the reason you got into the profession in the first place?
You are a professional, and you’re no longer subscribing to the martyr myth.
You know that great teachers set boundaries AND serve students.
You KNOW you deserve nights, weekends, and the entire freaking summer break for yourself, your people, and your passions.
You want to serve students AND have time and energy for your life outside of the classroom.
You’re tired of being told that in order to be a “great” teacher you need to work ridiculous hours and sacrifice your well-being.
And you may be afraid to admit it out loud, but I’m not: the idea that teachers sign up to always put themselves last is, quite frankly, BS, and we are unsubscribing.
It’s time to put you first.