O Remember that everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
O Realize the in-basket will never be empty.
O Write down the funny things your students say. Look at them when you’re feeling stressed.
O Keep a file of positive notes, cards, and letters. Review them regularly.
O Laugh often.
O Write down why you wanted to become a teacher in the first place and read it to yourself if you 

start to question your choice.

Managing Your Time Effectively:

O Prioritize – You need to know what matters to you.
O Simplify – It doesn’t have to be picture perfect, at home or at work.
O Plan – Create a schedule that is reasonable. Remember that your schedule is to help you, not 

make you its slave. If it’s not done, it’s okay!

O Make choices – Balance chores you like with those you don’t. Don’t turn leisure activities into 

chores.

O Eliminate – Give up something and schedule a “free night” or “free day”, at least one day a week.
O Get help – Use your support systems! This might include family, friends, colleagues, federation 

support, agencies, etc.

O Delegate – Consider how chores/responsibilities can be balanced among each family member or, 

at work, delegated to students and colleagues. Delegating often requires teaching others initially 
and backing off when it is not done. Make sure that you are not taking on responsibilities that are 
not yours.

O Delay – It’s okay ... everything doesn’t have to be done immediately!

Manage Your Work Effectively

Understanding that the teacher’s work is never completely finished and that we could fill every minute of 
every day with something for our job, helps us to plan and make decisions about what is most important. 
Here are some tips to help keep you on track and confident that you are managing your work effectively:

O Maintain plans for units, daily work, and other tasks.
O Keep assessment and evaluation records in one place.
O Avoid spending too much time making everything look “cute.”
O Let students take an active role in creating bulletin boards, organizing math/art materials, etc.
O Return student work as quickly as possible.
O Tackle one task at a time and then move on. Don’t become overwhelmed.
O Don’t mark every single piece of work for everything. Select key performance examples that 

support the curriculum to include an assessment picture of each student. Tests should always be 
graded and returned.

O Use assessment checklists/rubrics to assist in student, self, and peer review of the work before 

you mark it.

O Use a daily agenda posted for student and personal use.
O Outline your week. Use a calendar and chart overview to assist organization.
O Prepare copied materials several days or weeks ahead. Place items in a folder marked for the day 

of the week.

O Plan! Plan! Plan!
O Maintain a “To Do” folder with items that need to be completed right away
O Work smarter – PLAN, PRIORITIZE, DO.

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