I admit it: I’m a serial multitasker! My work life is a whirlwind of activities and responsibilities. Currently, I’m juggling roles with PowerSchool, Amplify Reading, and Defined Learning, along with some exciting freelance projects for Teacher Transition (check them out here!). My credentials span a wide range of educational products, and I’m constantly on the move, delivering training sessions nationwide to various school districts. In addition to being a curriculum writer and computer science consultant, I also mentor and coach educators transitioning into new roles.
Here’s a glimpse into my to-do list for this week:
- Travel to Massachusetts for Amplify Training.
- Write a blog post to promote the upcoming Teacher Transition Cohort session.
- Make travel arrangements for upcoming trainings in Louisiana, Alabama, and West Virginia (including hotel, flights, and car rentals).
- Submit an expense report for a recent trip to Montgomery.
- Submit time cards for PowerSchool, Amplify Reading, and Defined Learning.
- Set up a conference time for an educator client transitioning from the classroom.
- Create a project-based learning task for middle school computer science.
- Complete recertification training for Amplify Reading.
- Complete certification training for a new product from PowerSchool.
- Make travel arrangements to visit family next month.
And that’s just the professional side of things! I also have personal commitments like doctor’s appointments, social events with friends, and household chores to manage. I add these to my list as well, making sure I keep some “me time” on that list!
So, how do I keep up with it all? The key is organization. I rely heavily on the integrated checklist feature in Microsoft Outlook. Being cloud-based, it allows me to update my list from any device, wherever I am. I create a comprehensive to-do list for the coming weeks, which I can update on the go. Whether I’m on a morning walk or driving between appointments, I can quickly add tasks to my list—sometimes even using Siri or Alexa!
Prioritizing is crucial. I move the most important tasks to the top of my list, and for tasks with specific due dates, I set reminders within Outlook. While there are other programs and apps available, I find Outlook’s integration with my account to be particularly convenient and reliable. Plus, it’s virtually impossible to lose my list, unlike those pesky paper scraps where I often jot down shopping lists!
Once tasks are on my list, I can decide which ones to tackle each day or week. There’s a great sense of satisfaction in crossing items off and hearing that satisfying “ding” of accomplishment!
Yes, I’m a serial multitasker, but with my online to-do list, I maintain order and balance in my busy life.
Want to learn more about how you can become a trainer or professional learning specialist?
I started my journey with Ali Parrish and Teacher Transition. The courses she offered at the time gave me the boost I needed! Now, I’m thrilled to be part of her team as a mentor for her newest course and cohort: Becoming a Trainer! Check out all of the courses at Teacher Transition [here]! (Note: I’m excited to be able to share this affiliate link!)
More than a Teacher 