Teaching to the TOP
Two teachers dedicated to helping you master your time, organization, and productivity!
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Episodes
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
2020 has been a trying year for so many people and in so many ways. During times of uncertainty, frustration, and constant change your mindset can struggle to be positive on any given day. We have also felt a level of sadness and irritation this year, but we have also found strategies and coping mechanisms that have aided us to stay afloat and get things done.
In this episode we are sharing our struggles with staying positive but also what has worked for us.
Bridget’s Struggles
Michelle’s Struggles
What Worked for Bridget
What Worked for Michelle
The commonality is knowing and re-embracing our WHY. For so many of us the why behind becoming a teacher was to make an impact in our students’ lives. They are WHY we come to work, WHY we bury ourselves in professional development and creating lessons. Know your WHY. Embrace your why and you will find that you are able to get through just about anything.
Find our Digital Teacher Planner at TeachingontheDouble.com
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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
We all have our go-to items that get us through the day. Since the spring of 2020 we have definitely had to make some changes in what and how we use our everyday tools. Today we will share 7 digital tools that you must be using whether you’re teaching in-person or virtually!
Be Sure to listen along to hear how we use these tools on a daily basis!
OUR TOP 7 TEACHING TOOLS
Google Tasks
Google Keep
Digital planner
Google Sheets
Bookmarks on your internet browser (Chrome)
Screen recording
Virtual whiteboards
Find our Digital Teacher Planner at TeachingontheDouble.com
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
2020 is the year of flexibility. Once we get going and things are looking great, new plans, different situations or a complete game plan change happens in the blink of an eye. One thing is for sure, teachers like routine and stability, but how can we possibly build any of this when we don’t even know what this year has to hold?
We know that the year has been stressful and let’s be honest with one another, a lot of the time we don’t even want to think of the possibility of change because it only adds to our stress. However, if we view these new circumstances as opportunities to be flexible versus looking at it as change you’d feel better prepared and less stressed.
HOW TO EMBRACE BEING FLEXIBLE:
[4:08] School/District Requirements
[10:27] Lesson Plans
[18:03] Students
[21:35] Parents
[25:56] Coworkers
CONCLUSION
This year is offering up a lot of challenges but when we take a step back and analyze the situation you will find that you have more control than what you think. With a little bit of prep work and creativity in how to make new situations work, you will regain control and positivity back in your day.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
This year we are all trying our very best to put a smile on each day and get through all the changes and uncertainty that the year brings. In this episode we share our brutally honest thoughts on teaching during a pandemic.
Join us as we share the positives, negatives and how we are working to make it through the school year.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
It’s fair to say that we have all made mistakes in our life. While we hate to make mistakes they help to make us better when we choose to learn from them. In this episode we are sharing two BIG mistakes that we have made when heading back to school.
While we share our two mistakes we want you to keep one thing in mind: KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Teaching can often feel like a competition instead of a collaboration and while this is not done intentionally, it can manifest in so much that we do for our classroom and for our students.
OUR TWO BIGGEST BACK-TO-SCHOOL MISTAKES
Mistake 1: Following trends we see on social media. AKA: Keeping up with the Jones’
Social media can be a place where innovation rises and new ideas spark excitement and motivation. As we have personally learned, social media can also be a place where new connections are made. However, social media can also cause us to feel pressure and distract us from our true purpose as a teacher.
When feeling stressed because of what you are seeing on social media do these things instead:
Stay off social media
Remind yourself that it is easier to add on than to take away
Best teaching practices aren’t always cute
Your teaching ability is not determined by keeping up with the Jones’
Teaching is not always about the materials but about the relationships you form
Mistake 2: Putting too much on our plates
Even when we are already feeling as though we have too much going on we still have a tendency to bring on more tasks. This is mainly because we don’t want to look as though we cannot do “all the things”. This can be from volunteering for activities, trying new things you see on social media or wanting to grow in multiple areas at once. This can lead to burnout and can even add pressures to your loved ones or your students.
When feeling as though you are taking too much on do these things instead:
Collaborate with other teachers as much as possible (synergy… 1 + 1 = 3)
Choose one area to focus on (technology, parent communication, student wellbeing)
Start with less and add more
Limit how much you change in one year/at one time
Practice self care
CONCLUSION
This year seems to add so much pressure on us with all the changes and adjustments that we are having to make as a teacher. It can be overwhelming and burn you out if you allow it to continue for too long. Remember to take a break away from work and try some of the strategies we mentioned to help ground you to what is really important.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
The beginning of the year can be overwhelming, especially this year. Once summer comes to an end, finding a routine that gets you focused on school can be difficult. Today, we are sharing FIVE simple strategies that you can implement in order to transform your teacher productivity.
5 SIMPLE STRATEGIES THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR TEACHER PRODUCTIVITY
Strategy #1: Create a Power List for the Day
Strategy #2: Complete a Technology Check
Strategy #3: Follow the 2-Minute Rule
Strategy #4: Take 5 Minutes to Clean Up at the End of the Day
Strategy #5: Organize Materials for the Next Day
CONCLUSION
During various times of the year, it is important to take a few minutes and evaluate what you are doing on a daily basis that is directly related to your productivity. When you evaluate the motions to the day and pinpoint areas that need to be fine-tuned, you have a greater chance to maintain your productivity from day-to-day.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
This year is unlike any year that we have taught, whether you are teaching in-person or virtual. As a result of the changes this year, we have to rethink our workspaces. Some of us are creating workspaces at home and others are having to redesign their classroom layouts in order to accommodate the new guidelines or needs.
Whatever the case, your workspace is like your hub or home-base, and it is more important now than ever before to define your space so that it works for you and the ever-changing needs of the time that we are living in.
ESTABLISHING A FUNCTIONAL WORKSPACE
What makes a workspace functional?
A functional workspace is a space that allows you to work at your very best by increasing your productivity. A functional workspace is also organized and clean so that you can work efficiently. Materials are laid out in a way that they are easily accessible and comfort is a priority to ensuring your mind and focus is where you need it to be.
Keep in mind that this workspace does not have to be a desk. This is simply a designated space where you will be working that will help to notify and signal to your brain that you are focused on a specific task.
Why is this important?
So why are functional workspaces so important? Having a functional workspace is going to help you in prioritizing your “stuff”. This will then allow you to increase your productivity in order to get the most done out of your day.
Let’s face it, we have A LOT going on right now. Our situations are constantly changing and in order to stay on top of the constantly moving field that we are in this year, we need to ensure that our workspaces are functional.
How do we create a functional workspace?
Step 1: Choose a designated workspace
Step 2: Set up your necessary technology
Step 3: Create a list of materials for each task
Step 4: Organize materials in your workspace
Step 5: Maintain your workspace
CONCLUSION
Your workspace provides you with an area to establish routine, hold essential items that you will use on any given day, and create a space where you are able to focus to get your tasks done. Taking the time to define your space will increase your productivity. Just remember that as you work, you may need to periodically restructure or evaluate the needs of your workspace. Just as our lives change, our workspace may also need to adjust to accommodate those changes.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
We get countless questions regarding how we manage to do it all. From getting things done to managing our teaching careers with our passions and businesses, we share it all!
In this episode, we are answering YOUR questions, but because we had so many, we have organized them into three separate episodes. This is the third in our Q&A series. Be sure to check out Episode #030 where we answer your time management questions, and Episode #032 where we discuss our organization tips.
In this episode we are sharing your productivity questions. We hope that you enjoy them!
YOUR PRODUCTIVITY QUESTIONS:
How have you changed your ability/methods of “TOP” since your 1st years of teaching? From jaymie.nicole
SPED teacher here: how do you balance the paperwork & lesson planning period? From kellseyo
How do you manage to grade writing assignments in a timely fashion? They take forever! From teachuntilcontent
Do you answer emails after school hours? From belenanmartin
How do you prioritize your tasks? From onfireforchoir
How far in advance should you be planning? From savannah_watson
What are some digital tools that help you with organization and productivity? From grade3withmst
How do you stay motivated on low/down/off days? From voraciousteacher & What are some ways to keep yourself motivated to complete a big task? From amber.bach17
How to stay productive and organized when others may be loading more on your plate? From alf021
What self care practices boost your productivity (in your experience)? From eeemilyp
How do you deal with that one co-worker who drags down productivity? Major TSH for me!! From russellrmc
What to do about things you can’t control? Ex: admin comes in and asks for report info ASAP throwing off your plan! Especially if team lead - happens a lot! From colorcodedenglishclass
CONCLUSION
Mastering the art of productivity is something we all strive for in our lifetime; however, it seems that at the exact moment when life is going the way we planned, everything instantly changes taking our productivity with it. Understanding what building and sustains productivity is the key. Know your strengths, weaknesses and build from that to maintain the life that you want to live.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!