Good Morning Y’all,

As teachers, we wear many hats: educator, mentor, counselor, record-keeper, cheerleader, and sometimes even part-time magician (just to name a few). With so much on our plates, it’s no wonder that time can slip away faster than a recess for a 2nd grader. The good news? We can take back control of our schedule, reclaim our prep time, and walk into our classroom each day feeling calm, confident, and ready. How? Glad you asked! Let’s quickly look at some simple ways to identify and combat poor time management.

But first, as always, if you find value in this issue, share it with your teacher bestie, your administrator ally, and all your campus companions!

Let’s look at a simple 3-step process to help you identify if you’re managing your time poorly and then explore three powerful time-blocking strategies for teachers that will help you maximize productivity and minimize stress.

Step 1: Identify the Signs of Poor Time Management

Before you can fix time management problems, you need to recognize them. Here are three red flags that you might be struggling:

1. You’re Always Playing Catch-Up
   If you’re constantly scrambling to get lesson plans ready, grade papers, or prepare materials right before class, it’s a clear sign your schedule isn’t working for you.

2. Prep Time Disappears Without Notice
   You had a full planning period… but somehow, between answering emails, hallway conversations, and quick student check-ins, your prep time vanished.

3. Stress Spills Into Your Evenings & Weekends
   If you’re taking home piles of grading or spending your Sundays prepping instead of recharging, your time boundaries may need adjusting.

Step 2: Apply Teaching Time-Blocking Strategies

Time-blocking is a game-changing approach that helps you intentionally schedule specific tasks during dedicated windows… protecting your energy, focus, and prep time. Here are three ways to make it work:

1. Color-Code Your Calendar 🎨
   Assign colors to different responsibilities like lesson planning, grading, meetings, parent communication, and personal time. This visual cue helps you instantly see if your week is balanced… or if one task is eating up too much of your time.

2. Set “Non-Negotiable” Prep Blocks ✏️
   Treat your conference / prep periods like scheduled meetings. Block them off in your planner or calendar and make them sacred. Use that time for deep work. No emails, no side conversations, just focused classroom prep.

3. Batch Similar Tasks Together 📚
   Instead of grading one paper here and answering one email there, group similar tasks into one block. For example, dedicate 30 minutes to grading all quizzes, then 20 minutes to answering parent emails. This reduces mental switching and helps you work faster.

Step 3: Protect & Evaluate Your Time

Time-blocking only works if you honor your blocks. That means setting boundaries, politely declining interruptions during prep time (it’s OK to say no people), and regularly checking your calendar to make sure your plan is realistic.

Every Friday, spend 5–10 minutes reviewing your week:

• Did you stick to your time blocks?

• Which blocks were most productive?

• Where did you lose time, and how can you protect it next week?

Bottom Line Y’all…

Managing your time well isn’t about squeezing more into your day—it’s about making sure your day works for you. By identifying the signs of poor time management and implementing time-blocking strategies, you’ll gain more control over your schedule, protect your prep time, and walk into class with the confidence and calm your students deserve.

You’re not just managing a classroom… you’re shaping lives. Protect your time, and you protect your ability to teach at your best.

Rock That Classroom Y’all,
~ Mitch

🎵 Back-to-Class Classical: Calm & Creative Classroom Tunes🎵

This curated playlist of 51 timeless classical pieces was made especially for teachers. Whether you're setting up your classroom for a brand new year, grading papers, or simply wanting to create a peaceful learning environment—this is your go-to background music.

Featuring works by iconic composers like Mozart, Brahms, Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, and many more, this playlist brings calm, focus, and a sense of beauty to any part of your school day.

Perfect for:
• Setting up your classroom with intention 🎨
• Playing softly in the background during student work time ✏️
• Creating a peaceful vibe during transitions or read-alouds 📖
• Helping YOU feel centered and inspired throughout the day 💡

✨ Whether you're a veteran teacher or new to the classroom, let this classical soundtrack help you start the school year on the right note.

Share TCN, Earn Some Swag!

Would you like to unlock a fun and fancy membership to Homeroom Swag—our ever-growing inventory of 150+ fun, entertaining, and educational bulletin board letter and number sets?

Here’s how: share your personal subscription link (“Click To Share” button below) with your teacher tribe. When three of your teacher besties subscribe to The Classroom Newsletter, you’ll gain free access to Homeroom Swag’s treasure trove of designs! It’s our way of saying thank you for spreading the love—and for being part of this amazing community of educators. These resources are designed to make your classroom pop with creativity while encouraging student participation and interaction.

NOTE: This offer is for subscribers only. The link is in this issue’s email that was sent directly to subscribers. WANNA JOIN? Simply click on the “Subscribe” button at the top of the page, and BOOM…You’re In!