As a teacher, you need your own time and space - Time for when you haven’t planned anything during the day and to find out ‘where you are’ and space for your own papers, books and materials the way you want to.
I have found that it is useful to have a planner. I have been using a Barnes and Nobles Teacher Planner. I note things down, I take it with me every day to school and consult it frequently.
I have trained myself to get into the habit of making lists, which go into the planner. I cross them off as I get to them. This is a great ego booster especially to those teachers out there with small kids like me! Teach yourself how to touch-type. It’s worth it! Also consider user friendly programs such as Excel that are great for calculating grades and percentages.
Materials organization – some useful hints
*Have your own space with your own supplies.
*Stock up on markers or chalk
*A filing system is very useful
*Use a card box. Fill in a card every time every time you use or hear about a good activity or technique.
*File as you go. If you come across things that you don’t know what to do with but don’t want to trash, put them in the ‘all sorts’ file, sort them at the end of term or year.
*Don’t keep more than one or two master copies of photocopiable material – it will pile up!
*Recycle paper that you don’t need.
Show this list to an experienced teacher at school. Ask them if they can add anything.
So what are your New Year’s Resolutions? Join the discussion and share your ideas!
Dorit Sasson - Hello! I'm an ESL instructor, teacher diversity coach and writer for the educational markets who writes on English language learners ...
