Teacher Talk Tuesday

Happy Tuesday Y’all! Let’s Talk!

OK…if there’s one thing teachers wish we had more of, it’s time. Between lesson planning, grading, meetings, and managing a classroom full of students, the to-do list seems endless. But here’s the thing: time is finite. We all get the same 24 hours in a day, so the question is—how do we make the most of them?

Today, I want to share some practical time management tips that I’ve used over the years that I hope will help you reclaim your time and get more done without burning out. These are strategies I’ve seen work firsthand, and I believe they can make a big difference in your daily routine. You may not be able to implement all of these, but even if you can only implement one that allows you to gain back just a little piece of your time (and sanity), then it’s worth it. Let’s dive in!

As alwyas, if you find this info helpful, please share it with your teacher bestie!

1. Prioritize with Purpose

Not all tasks are created equal. Start your day by identifying the most important things that need to be done—these are your high-priority tasks. Whether it’s prepping for an upcoming lesson, grading a stack of papers, or responding to parent emails, focus on what will move the needle the most. Everything else? It can wait.

I recommend using the Eisenhower Matrix to help you sort tasks:

• Urgent and Important (Do it now)

• Important, but Not Urgent (Schedule it)

• Urgent, but Not Important (Delegate it)

• Not Urgent, Not Important (Drop it)

When you’re clear on what’s truly important, it’s easier to focus and avoid wasting time on distractions.

2. Batch Similar Tasks Together

Instead of switching between different types of tasks, group similar activities together. This is called task batching, and it can significantly boost your productivity. For example:

• Grade all your papers in one sitting.

• Answer emails during a specific time window.

• Plan all your lessons for the week in one go.

Switching between tasks creates mental fatigue and wastes precious time. By batching, you stay in the same mindset and complete tasks faster.

3. Set Time Blocks

One of the best time management strategies I’ve learned is time blocking. This is where you schedule specific tasks for specific times. For instance, you might set aside 30 minutes every morning to review student work and 45 minutes in the afternoon for lesson planning. When the time block is over, move on to the next task—even if you haven’t finished the first one.

The key is to be disciplined about sticking to the time blocks. It prevents you from spending too much time on one thing while ignoring others, keeping your day balanced and productive.

4. Limit the “Drop-ins”

We’ve all been there—someone swings by your classroom to chat, ask a question, or share the latest school gossip. Before you know it, 15 minutes have slipped away. One way to protect your time is by setting clear boundaries around when you’re available for interruptions.

Create a visual signal, like closing your classroom door or setting up a "Do Not Disturb" sign during focused work time. If a colleague or student needs to chat, let them know you’ll be free at a certain time, but right now, you’re in the middle of something important. Most people will respect those boundaries if you set them early and kindly.

5. Use Technology to Your Advantage

There are plenty of tools out there designed to make your life easier as a teacher. Here are a few ways technology can save you hours each week:

• Use a tool like Google Forms to quickly collect student feedback or administer quizzes.

• Automate routine tasks with apps like Remind for communication or ClassDojo for behavior management.

• Use ChatGPT or other AI tools to help with parent emails, create lesson plans, or even generate grading rubrics. The more you automate, the more time you’ll free up for what matters most—teaching.

6. The 2-Minute Rule

If a task takes two minutes or less, do it right now. This is a simple but effective rule that helps you avoid procrastination and keeps your workload from piling up. Whether it’s replying to a quick email or putting away papers, handling these small tasks immediately clears your mental space and keeps your day moving.

7. Delegate What You Can

You don’t have to do everything yourself. I know that can be hard to accept as teachers, but trust me—it’s okay to delegate. If you have teaching assistants, parent volunteers, or student helpers, use them! Assign simple tasks like organizing materials, running errands, or grading objective work.

And remember, it’s not just about offloading work; it’s about creating more space for you to focus on what truly requires your expertise.

8. Plan Ahead (But Stay Flexible)

Take time each week to plan your lessons and activities in advance. Whether it’s Sunday night or Friday afternoon, set aside an hour or so to map out the week ahead. This will save you the panic of trying to come up with a lesson plan at the last minute.

However, stay flexible—things will inevitably change, and unexpected events will pop up. Having a loose structure in place allows you to adapt while still feeling in control.

9. Take Breaks—Seriously

This might sound counterintuitive, but you need to take breaks to be more productive. If you push yourself nonstop, you’ll eventually hit a wall. Schedule short breaks throughout your day to reset and recharge. A five-minute walk, a quick chat with a colleague, or even a moment to breathe deeply can help you refocus and work more efficiently when you get back to your tasks.

10. Reflect and Adjust

At the end of each week, take a moment to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Did you meet your time management goals? Did you get derailed? Use these reflections to adjust your approach for the following week. Teaching is dynamic, and so should be your time management strategies.

Keep It Simple, Keep It Consistent

Time management doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small, implement one or two of these strategies at a time, and build from there. The goal is progress, not perfection. Remember, when you manage your time well, you not only get more done—you create more space to do the things that bring you joy in teaching. And that’s what it’s all about.

Until next time…Have A Terrific Tuesday,
~ Mitch