| Time management for the new teacher can seem | | | | concern yourself with at this time. |
| unattainable, but there are ways to make the most of | | | | After completing your list (keep it handy because you |
| your time, while also allowing for a few moments for | | | | will remember plenty more to add), begin by starting at |
| mental health. The first year will always be the most | | | | the top of your list and assigning each activity to a day |
| difficult as you are trying to get your roots in place, | | | | of the week, making sure no one day of the week |
| along with schedules, routines, expectations, all while | | | | has more work than another. Also, double check that |
| learning new content, students, and parents! It probably | | | | you have not created too much work throughout the |
| seems like a bad nightmare! My first year teaching, I | | | | week. Always write down what HAS to be |
| would sob in my classroom several days a week | | | | completed first (prioritize), then add smaller, less |
| after everyone else had gone home. I can understand | | | | important items. Big items to consider first are those |
| why some don't have the will to continue after the first | | | | that directly impact students' learning (lesson plans) and |
| year! Hopefully, some of the following tips will get you | | | | also what your administrator deems important (varies). |
| on your feet and back in the game! | | | | Move the least important items to later in the week, or |
| Always make a list! On a legal pad of paper, write | | | | into the next week. Keep pushing these items back as |
| each day of the week at the top of a different sheet. | | | | other urgent tasks arise. |
| Then, tear out another blank sheet, and begin by | | | | Once you now have an organized, more manageable |
| walking through your classroom and writing down | | | | chunks to complete each day, you are ready to begin |
| anything and everything that comes to mind. Are there | | | | without feeling overwhelmed. By breaking the many |
| questions you need to ask someone else? Are there | | | | tasks into smaller chores, the desire to run out the |
| bulletin boards to put up? Do you need to start a filing | | | | door and never come back diminishes, even if ever so |
| system for your lesson plans? Do you need to find a | | | | slightly! Stay on top of your to-do list, trying to |
| new place to store all your supplies? Write it down, | | | | accomplish it each day, and you will feel a sense of |
| write it down, write it down. The more that is out of | | | | accomplishment as you cross each item off your list. |
| your head and on your paper is less that you need to | | | | Just think: next year, save the tears for someone else! |