Time Crunch

  

Time...time...time.  Something we all just can't find enough of.  If you don't even have time to read this, scroll down to the bolded paragraph below for the meat and potatoes.  As the year is winding down before summer break, tasks seem to increase and the amount of time in the day seems to fill up faster.  This dilemma is a constant tug of war for me so I thought reflecting on it would make for a perfect blog entry.

   I'm currently sitting in my office, 9:25 p.m., trying to catch up on paperwork tasks.  My wife and kids are already in REM sleep, so what better time to get some stuff done.  I'm sure I am not alone but I often sit and have to prioritize the following:

-- Time spent with students
-- Time spent doing managerial tasks in office
-- Time spent assisting and supporting teachers and support staff
-- Time spent with my family....who are they? :)

  For those of you who feel this tug of war between where to divide your percent of time in a day, I want to urge you while at school to take time for #1.  It is so easy to stray away from student interactions....teacher evaluations, administrative meetings, newsletters, emails, PD planning, the list could go on and on.  Don't get me wrong, you have to be diligent in managerial tasks but don't forget what excited you about education in the first place...the kids.  If you don't already, spend one day fully immersed in student connections...go out to recess, eat lunch with students, walk the halls, go through classrooms, greet kids at the front door, high five students walking out the doors at the final bell, listen to them read.  Whatever you do, go make connections for the day.

  Is there a magical percentage of where you spend your time?  I don't think so, but I hope your percent can grow in creating relationships with your students.  So, manage your tasks but more importantly, manage your time wisely.  I plead with you to get out of the office...the work will still be there, and go enjoy the kids walking your halls each day!

Adam Miller