I became a teacher to make a difference in kids' lives by inspiring them and making them see their worth. I thought about how to make school more fun and interesting than most of my teachers made it for me. What I did not sign up for is the endless mounds of paperwork and administrative duties that come with this profession. I remember the endless weekends of grading, averaging, and calling parents. I had to find a way to proactively get the work done. I had to get off of my heels and end the back-peddling that would eventually interfere with what I needed to accomplish in my classroom.
I also had to find time to REFLECT - one of the most important parts of teaching, learning, and growing. Without the time to reflect on what went well and what didn't, on what was learned or what was not understood, or how to correct mistakes made, I can not be better.
Take time to reflect on ways you have made good use of your time and respond to this post. If you have no answer, then reflect on what you don't have time for so that we can provide feedback on your situation. The link below contains articles that may assist you with organizing your days and prioritizing to become a more productive educator.
Articles on time saving strategies for teachers (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=330)
Taylor Mali on "What teachers make" (written version)
Taylor Mali on "What teachers make" (video version)
I think the only time of the day that I actually use my time wisely is early in the morning. Like the time I am posting this post. (Smile). However, in reading the articles I do see what I need to work on to effectively use my time wisely. I know I open to many projects or things at one time and I don't ever feel that I am getting something completed and I also see that I need to learn how to prioritize my jobs to obtain success in completing al of my tasks.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you here in the morning. Before I had morning drop off duties (with my children), I used to really get the best work done. The building is quiet and your perspective is different. Really find those crucial moments in your day. As it pertains to getting things done, make reasonable checklists for your day. Make them shorter. Only you can say what you can realistically get done in a day and keep your peace of mind. Set your boundaries and realize that you will get more done in less time.
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