Productivity Hacks for the Busy Teacher — Sey Education Solutions

Written By Abena Sey

February 15, 2025

Teachers are busy throughout the year, specifically when we consider the work done during planning periods, professional development, training and certification, communications with stakeholders, documentation and time engaging in teaching and learning with our students. There are many tasks before us as we do the work to support our students’ learning goals and become better practitioners who reflect on where our students are holistically and what we can do to meet their needs. Understanding the nature of our profession, I have created a list of productivity hacks to help teachers approach their tasks intentionally. These strategies are intended to create peace of mind and, ultimately, joy in our work.

1) Commit to a morning routine that prioritizes your physical and mental wellness. Wake up at a time that allows you to feel alert and ready to approach your tasks. Choose a time to wake up that works with your body’s natural rhythm and period of time where you are most productive. Map out all the activities that you hope to accomplish within the allotted time. This may be an experiment as you may have overestimated all that you can get done before you begin your workday. Be flexible as you figure out what works best for your morning routine and adjust your plans accordingly. You may also want to consider maintaining your morning routine on the weekends, allowing for some wiggle room to catch up on sleep. As suggested previously, consider your body’s needs and your schedule when school is not in session.

2) Plan your day’s activities the night before and record these tasks in a planner. For some, a To-Do list that itemizes priorities, but not necessarily an order to tackle the tasks, provides a flexible plan where a teacher can work and cross off items that have been completed. For others, a map of tasks to complete that are ordered based on the time it takes to complete or in order of importance / urgency works as well. This format provides a little more structure and reduces decisions regarding what task to do first because it was done in advance. Another strategy to reduce decision-making is to ensure that you have prepped the items you need the night before. This helps to reduce any potential barriers to you getting tasks accomplished.

3) Use a timer to help you stay focused on the task at hand. You can choose time blocks that are congruent with your workflow and work habits. You can choose time blocks based on the time required to do an entire task or a smaller part of a larger task. Chunk your time on task for sustained productivity and take breaks to transition to the next task or your end of the work period.

4) Create a workspace that encourages productivity. Keep your workspace organized and ensure that you have the resources you need to do your work, because you want to reduce any barriers to you getting on task and avoid unintended interruptions. Decorate your space to suit your aesthetic. Consider your lighting, room temperature and overall ambiance; these factors can contribute to the creation of an environment that suits your needs and encourages you to be productive. You can burn a candle, use a diffuser to distribute essential oils, adjust the room temperature or get cozy with a blanket / sweater, so long as it doesn’t make you sleepy 😉. Clean up after yourself and leave your workspace ready for the next work session.

5) Use music to keep you focused and contribute to an ambiance of productivity. Choose music that suits your mood and the task at hand. For some, music with lyrics can be a distraction and high-energy music may not be warranted for a task that requires a higher level of focus. You can find a playlist of instrumental music and choose whatever genre will support your productivity goals. Sometimes, you need a pick me up, and music that lifts the mood or inspires is helpful. Be mindful of the volume of your music to reduce potential distractions.

6) Stay fueled and hydrated with nutritious foods and drinks. Drink water to keep you hydrated throughout your work session; keeping a bottle of water nearby can be helpful, and if needed, set reminders to drink your water. Use bathroom breaks as an opportunity to step away from work, refresh and refocus. Ensure heathy snacks are accessible. Grab and go items work well during times when you want to work for a sustained period while eating a snack. If eating and working do not work for you, plan for snack breaks.

Choose any one or all of the above-mentioned strategies to create a work environment and develop habits that support your productivity goals. Keep your health and well-being a priority so that you can do your best work sustainably. This makes for a happy and balanced teacher.