Teachers Can Save Time with These 11 Simple Hacks!

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Are you tired of wasting precious time on tedious tasks and wishing you could focus on what matters most—your students? In this episode, discover 11 simple yet effective time-saving hacks that will transform your daily routine. From clever organization ideas to multitasking tips, these strategies will help you regain control of your time and energy. Watch or listen now to start your journey toward better productivity!

Hit play below to listen to the full episode or scroll down to watch the YouTube video. You’ll walk away with practical ideas to save time and reduce stress!

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11 Time Management Hacks for Teachers

You'll want to listen to the show to dig deep into these. I love the “multitasking moments” idea and I'm going to recruit some friends to do that with me this week!

Created from the transcript using Napkin

Classroom Organization Tips:

⏳ 1. Get Organized (01:24)
Declutter your workspace and avoid the dreaded “stack of death.” Set up a simple and functional filing system to make paperwork more manageable.

📂 2. Use a Simple Filing System (01:45)
Whether digital or paper, having an easy-to-use system will keep your materials accessible and prevent last-minute scrambling.

📝 3. Empower Students to File Their Own Work (02:15)
Save time by letting students take responsibility for filing their assignments. This simple step fosters organization skills and lightens your workload.

Personal Productivity Hacks:

📅 4. Plan Lessons Early to Reduce Last-Minute Stress (03:02)
Gather resources ahead of time—copies, books, manipulatives—to avoid scrambling when the copier inevitably breaks right before class.

👥 5. Have Multitasking Moments to Socialize and Get Work Done (05:03)
Balance productivity with connection! Grade papers or file documents while chatting with colleagues, so you don’t have to take as much work home.

🚪 6. Close the Door and Minimize Distractions (05:54)
Find a quiet space to focus during planning periods, so you can get work done efficiently without unnecessary interruptions.

🏡 7. Protect Your Peace and Work-Life Balance (06:10)
Your well-being matters. Set limits on how much work you bring home, and make time for family, rest, and hobbies.

Technology and Task Management Tips

✅ 8. Use the Answer, File, Delete (AFD) or Three D’s (Delegate, Dump, Do) Method (06:50)
Prioritize your tasks by immediately answering, filing, or deleting emails. If it doesn’t need your attention, delegate or dump it!

📧 9. Use Email Tools Like Sweep to Stay Organized (08:03)
Leverage email automation tools like Sweep to clear out old emails, filter messages, and keep your inbox manageable.

Important principles to remember as you manage your time

💡 10. Put People First When Prioritizing Tasks (09:30)
Before diving into your to-do list, check in with students and colleagues. Prioritizing people builds stronger relationships and improves your day.

🚧 11. Set Boundaries and Say No (10:21)
Educators are natural people-pleasers, but overcommitting leads to burnout. Practice saying “no” and protect your time.

Books Mentioned

• Boundaries by Henry Cloud
• Time Tactics of Very Successful People by Dr. Eugene Griessman

Dr. Desiree Alexander – Bio as Submitted

Dr. Desiree Alexander advises teachers on productivity and time management and other practical classroom helps.

Dr. Desiree Alexander is an award-winning, multi-degreed educator, speaker, and author who has been in the educational field since 2002. She is the Founder CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. She consults with members of several schools/businesses and presents at conferences globally.  

Dr. Alexander is lifetime certified in Louisiana in Secondary English Education, as a Reading Specialist, as a School Librarian, as an Educational Technology Facilitator, as an Educational Technology Leader and in Educational Leadership 1. She is certified in Texas as a Principal, in English Language Arts and Reading for grades 4-8 and grades 8-12, as a Reading Specialist for grades EC-12, and as a School Librarian. She holds multiple technology certifications, including, but not limited to, IC3 certification, Google Certified Trainer, Innovator and Partner, Apple Teacher, and Microsoft Office Specialists.  

She holds a Bachelor, a Master + 30, and an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University, a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Educational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Technology Leadership from Nicholls State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.  

She is the author of Ready to Be an Educational Leader: Your Guide for Passing the SLLA 6990, a 2024 Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Conference (IDEAcon) Thought Leader, 2023 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE) Conference Featured Speaker, 2022 & 2021 Texas Computer Education Association Conference (TCEA) Featured Thought Leader, 2020 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Featured Voice, 2020 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) Featured Presenter, 2019 Customer Commitment Award Honoree from Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics, a 2019 Shreveport National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Mover and Shaker, a 2017 Young Professional Initiative 40 Under 40 Awards Honoree, 2017 Center for Digital Education Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers, 2017 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Learning Media Digital Innovator for Louisiana, 2016 Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Member of the Year, 2015 Librarian of the Year for Louisiana Librarian Association, 2015 Campus Teacher of the Year in the Zachary Community School District and 2014 Leader of the Year for Region 2 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators.

Learn more at www.educatoralexander.com.  

• Blog: https://www.educatoralexander.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/educatoralex
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EducatorAlexander
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/educatoralexander
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/EducatorAlexander

Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post Teachers Can Save Time with These 11 Simple Hacks! appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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