Stay Organized, My Friend

I had a great To Do list to help me get organized.  I just don’t know what I To Did with it.

or-gan-ized – adjective – having one’s affairs and items in order so as to deal with them efficiently.

Does the word organized make you heave a sigh and yearn for the time when that adjective might be used to describe you?  Take heart and know that it is possible to become more ordered – even without the addition of hours to your already packed days.  The end of the school year can be incredibly hectic and organization can be empowering.  Here are a few simple tips:

Check emails daily.  Respond and then delete the ones no longer needed.  Create email folders for the ones you need to save.  This will make the next click on your email less overwhelming and you can focus readily on new information.

Create binders for organizing paperwork.  This will keep your desk form becoming a campground for stacks of papers and you will be able to put your hands on whatever you need.  Binders for students’ assessments, check lists, memos, and reminders can be created and stored on a bookshelf, ready to be accessed when needed.

Reduce the clutter.  Take 5 minutes at the end of each day and focus on one area to straighten and declutter.

Recruit student help.  Have your class help organize, straighten, and clean.  This encourages students to be aware and responsible.  Many hands also make light work.

Check out https://www.rememberthemilk.com/.  You will find an interesting “to do” app for busy people.

Create a contact list of your class’ parents, so you will be able to send a quick email blast when you need to share info.  Include your administrators on the list, so they will be aware of what is going on in your classroom too.

Jot down your top 3 things to achieve each day.  Check them off as they are accomplished.

Don’t compare yourself to other teachers.  Find out what works best for you and put it to good use.

Set your sights on success and be intentional about your plans. Shy away from procrastinating, but be forgiving and flexible if you do not meet your goals right away. Organization is a marathon – not a sprint – so take one step at a time as you move toward your goal.

“With organization comes empowerment.”   – Lynda Peterson