Teaching to the TOP

030. Q&A: Your Time Management Questions Answered

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 first of three episodes and we are going to answer all your time management questions. 
ANSWERING YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS:
Below are the questions we have answered. Even if we did not get to answer all the questions that were asked you are able to gain some informative insight into how we manage our time.
Have you got any tips for not working too much during quarantine? From arrustemaj1
How do you balance your time away from school with school work on extended breaks? From ms.brittnidoyle
How do you find the balance between planning ahead and being flexible? From hawth018
How do you make the best use of your planning time? We have 40 minutes a day. From thecaffinatedcandidclassroom
What time management tips do you have for a student working on his BA during quarantine? From edgar 780
How to spend less time grading but still have a fair and accurate number grade for report cards? From jamiesloan14
 How do I have my students have good time management but still do well in class? From teachwith_mrsguire 
You seem very involved in school and other things. How do you balance it? From ali_malone4
Can you go over creating a schedule for your planning to be more productive? From heathnoel34
How do you make time for your podcast, tpt, etc. businesses on top of teaching? From wajwilliams4
How do you manage to plan time for other obligations besides teaching? Ex: Youtube From teachingwithpositivity
Top tip for 1st year teachers to establish work-life balance? I start my first job in August. From baker_girl_91
How much prep time you have a week & how your contract hours compare to student hour From teachinginthegoldenstate
Do you recommend planning your entire week ahead of time or preparing day to day? From arthur_dynasty
How do you manage your time and stay productive in the summer? From scout1283
What is the biggest time saving tip you can give? From dashielberkofficial
CONCLUSION
Time management is determining the value in return for each task that you complete in a given day. Ask yourself whether the task is helping you towards your goals, and define your time blocks to completing those tasks that get you closer. 
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!

029. Michelle's Week in the Life - Summer Edition

We all have different seasons in life that we experience. This can be both literally and figuratively. As the seasons change, we have to change our schedules and routines. So while we may find a routine or schedule that works initially, it may not always stay that way. Listen to Michelle as you join her in a week in the life summer edition. She will talk you through planning out her days in order to reach goals in her business and on giving back to herself both mentally and physically. She will share some successes and processes for getting things done.  
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!

028. Bridget's Week in the Life - Summer Edition

We all have different seasons in life that we experience. This can be both literally and figuratively. As the seasons change, we have to change our schedules and routines. So while we may find a routine or schedule that works initially, it may not always stay that way. Listen to Bridget as you join her in a week in the life summer edition. She will talk you through planning out her days in order to reach goals in her business and how to do this while having kids at home. She will share some successes and failures for the week and how she plans on getting things done.  
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!

027. Our Motivating and Energizing Summer Routine

There is something about summertime and the heat, especially, that seems to zap the energy out of you. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to spend their days lounging around the pool reading a great book. However, the lazy days seem to bleed together leaving you feel unproductive and ill-prepared for the upcoming school year. 
We are in a new season of our life. Yes, we are talking about summer, but it is also important to know that seasons also relate to where we are in our lives; the circumstances that we are currently living in. With each season, both literally and figuratively, it’s important to change our routines to fit the needs we have at that particular point and time. 
We want to share our motivating and energizing summer routine that has allowed us to create structure and feel as though we are accomplishing goals but also enjoying our summer. 
OUR WALK STORY
OUR WHY 
HOW THIS FITS INTO OUR DAY
TIPS TO ENERGIZING AND MOTIVATING YOUR SUMMER ROUTINE
CONCLUSION
Keep in mind that we are not perfect in fact we have had a handful of times where we have to listen to our bodies and just rest. There is nothing wrong with that! The purpose of this is to make sure that you are making the most of your summer and to make sure that you have taken steps to feeling ready for the beginning of 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!

026. Tips for Organizing Your Digital Life

Before the world was sent into a world-wide pandemic, many of us were content in our lives as paper-loving teachers. Suddenly, our world shifted and many of us were forced to accept the digital lifestyle. 
But instead of focusing on the inconveniences and the problems with everything moving to digital, we have to shift our mindsets and adapt by finding ways to overcome our grievances. Today, we are sharing some small changes that you can make in order to better organize your digital life. By taking these small steps you will feel more productive and be able to better manage your time. 
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR DIGITAL LIFE
Tip #1: Set Alarms
Tip #2: Set Times to Complete Specific Tasks
Tip #3: Streamline your Apps/Websites
 
Tip #4: Digitize your Paperflow
Tip #5: Utilize Templates
CONCLUSION
One of the biggest reasons so many of us have never fully committed to going digital is because we have never really had to do it. This is the time to get your feet wet and begin transitioning your life online. Start slow and small and build as you go. If you start trying too much too fast you risk feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and dropping it all together. 
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!

025. Top 3 Things That Worked for Us In Quarantine

When you are thrown into new situations you cannot help but feel as though all the systems, routines and procedures you have created for yourself no longer function on your behalf. What once was a life that had some order and consistency has been thrown for a complete loop and left you feeling defeated. COVID-19 has caused so many teachers to feel hopeless and in need of a new routine. Hours have been spent searching for what new technologies can aid us in successfully doing our jobs. 
In this episode, we talk about specific materials, routines, or procedures that we have put in place that have helped us in regaining some of the order that we once knew while in a brick and mortar job. We share what has allowed us to be successful during online teaching but we also share what has allowed us to maintain that balance while working from home. 
 

024. Our Experiences in Quarantine: Struggles and Victories

We have to be honest with you all. 
When word was getting out that school may start to shut down, we were actually a little excited. Now hold on! We had NO idea what this was all going to turn into, but originally, we thought this was a chance to catch-up on things and to have a break. 
Fast-forward three months and here we are, still in quarantine-ish and trying to make it through to the end of the school year. That said, we’ve experienced some struggles and some victories during these last three months. 
Today, we want to share with you our struggles and victories during quarantine and distance learning. Be sure to listen in on the conversation. You might find that what you were/are struggling with is the same as ours. 
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!

023. Tips for Creating a Work-Life Balance

Creating a work-life balance is something we, as teachers, have always strived for. It is something that before the pandemic of 2020 hit us, was something that was challenging. Now, working from home we are realizing that establishing a work-life balance is harder than ever before. 
Before, we had a clear line between work and home. We would wake up, go to work, leave work, and be home. Now, we work from home and live with work. The lines are blurry. Today, we want to share with you some tips that will help you during these crazy times of distance learning but can also carry over as we continue to work and establish our balance between work and life. 
TIPS FOR CREATING A WORK-LIFE BALANCE:
Tip #1: Stick to Your Work Hours
Tip #2: Establish a Workspace
Tip #3: Eat Lunch Away from Your Workspace
Tip #4: Check Emails in Batches
Tip #5: Develop a Routine
CONCLUSION
You have to remember that life is a balancing act. There will never be a secret recipe that works for EVERY season of your life. You will constantly have to readjust and make the work fit for what is happening now. Reflect on the changes that you have happening and adjust accordingly. 
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!