The 40-Hour Teacher Week Myth (and 7 Tools to Help You Reclaim Your Time)

black and white photo of clocks
Photo by Andrey Grushnikov on Pexels.com

If you’re a teacher, you know the truth: 40 hours is a fantasy.

Between planning, grading, answering emails, attending parent meetings, professional development sessions, hallway duty, IEPs, MTSS meetings, and trying to catch a breath for a moment, teaching is a job that routinely demands 50 to 60 hours per week, and sometimes even more. It’s not that we’re bad at time management. It’s that we’re swimming against a system that wasn’t designed for sustainability.

But here’s the good news: while you may not be able to control the system, you can change how you manage your time within it.

In this post, we’re going to:

  • Debunk the 40-hour teacher week
  • Explore how to design your time like a limited resource
  • Share seven time-saving tools that can help you win back your evenings and weekends
  • Provide practical, teacher-tested time hacks you can implement right away

Let’s dig in.


Why the 40-Hour Teacher Week Is a Myth

The idea of a 40-hour workweek originated from industrial labor models—you clock in, you do your job, and you clock out. But teaching isn’t just a job. It’s a calling, a performance, a planning-intensive, people-heavy, paperwork-dense act of organized chaos.

Here’s how time gets spent:

  • Instruction: 30+ hours/week
  • Lesson planning & prep: 5–10 hours/week
  • Grading and feedback: 5–8 hours/week
  • Emails and communication: 3+ hours/week
  • Meetings (PLC, IEP, PD, admin): 2–5 hours/week

And that’s before you factor in classroom setup, tech troubleshooting, data analysis, sub plans, hallway coverage, behavior documentation, and the emotional labor of being “on” all day.

SaleBestseller No. 1
Four Thousand Weeks
  • Burkeman, Oliver (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 304 Pages – 06/27/2023 (Publication Date) – Picador Paper (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 2
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
  • Tracy, Brian (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 144 Pages – 04/17/2017 (Publication Date) – Berrett-Koehler Publishers (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 3
Time Management from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule — and Your Life
  • Morgenstern, Julie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 304 Pages – 09/01/2004 (Publication Date) – Holt Paperbacks (Publisher)

Teaching is a job that will expand to consume every available minute if you let it.

That’s why reclaiming your time starts with a mindset shift.


Time Budgeting vs. Task Management

Traditional time management says, “Make a list and get it all done.”

But that assumes time is infinite and predictable. It’s not.

Instead, use a time budgeting mindset: you start with a finite amount of time and allocate it intentionally.

Try this:

  • Budget 30 minutes to plan tomorrow’s lesson. When the timer goes off, stop. Done is better than perfect.
  • Give yourself 45 minutes to grade a set of quizzes. Use a single-point rubric or comment bank to expedite the process.
  • Block off 1 hour for parent communication. Use templated responses, voice memos, or batch them in your planning period.

You wouldn’t overspend your money without consequence. Don’t overspend your time.


The 80% Rule: Done Is Better Than Perfect

Aim for 80%.

We waste enormous energy trying to make things perfect—the perfect slide deck, the perfect anchor chart, the perfect assignment. And while excellence matters, so does survivability.

Let go of perfection and embrace “effective enough.”


7 Time-Saving Tools Every Teacher Should Try

These aren’t miracle apps, but they are real tools that save real time.

As always, some of these links are affiliate links, and if you end up purchasing, I get a small fee.

1. Planbook.com – Streamlined Lesson Planning

Planbook is simple, flexible, and lets you align lessons to standards, shift days easily, and copy units from year to year. One hour of setup can save you dozens later.

Pro tip: Create reusable weekly templates for each prep.

2. Grammarly Premium – Faster Writing, Clearer Feedback

Stop second-guessing your grammar and tone in emails or report card comments. Grammarly speeds up communication while maintaining professionalism.

Use it for: parent emails, student feedback, lesson materials.

3. Mote – Voice Notes in Google Docs

Instead of typing out detailed feedback, record a voice note and embed it in student work. Mote works seamlessly in Google Classroom.

Why it works: it’s faster and more human.

4. Notion or ClickUp – Your Teacher Command Center

Whether you’re tracking coaching cycles, unit pacing, student data, or PD goals, these tools help you visualize and centralize your work.

Tip: Build a dashboard that integrates your calendar, to-do list, and major goals.

5. Text Blaze – Instant Text Snippets

Turn common feedback into keyboard shortcuts. For example: type “/mtss1” and paste a pre-written MTSS note. Huge time saver for documentation and repetitive tasks.

6. Rocketbook – Smart Paper for Analog Teachers

Love to write things by hand, but need to digitize them fast? Use this reusable notebook to scan and upload to Google Drive, Notion, or email.

Perfect for: lesson brainstorming, meeting notes, coaching logs.

Rocketbook Core Reusable Spiral Notebook, Letter Size 8.5×11, Navy Blue – Dotted Pages, App-Connected, Erasable, Durable Cover, Ideal for School, Work, and Creative Projects
  • Create, Digitize, Erase, Re-Create: Capture ideas with the included Pilot Frixion Pen, digitize effortlessly using the Rocketbook app, store in your preferred cloud service. When done, simply wipe the pages clean with a damp cloth and start fresh.
  • App-Enabled for Digital Organization: The Rocketbook app allows you to scan and upload your visual work directly to cloud platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, etc. The app-connection ensures your creativity is accessible from anywhere.
  • High-Quality & Durable Materials: Crafted from reusable, premium dotted paper, the Rocketbook Core features a spiral binding and waterproof cover. The grid layout offers flexibility for everything from bullet journaling to geometric sketches.
  • Portable and Versatile Sizes: Available in two sizes—Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) and Executive (6 x 8.8 inches)—the Rocketbook Core is compact enough to fit into backpacks, purses, or briefcases. This notebook offers portability and versatility.
  • Eco-Friendly Reusability: Designed with sustainability in mind, Rocketbook notebooks help reduce paper waste with a reusable alternative. Enjoy a paper-like notebook that can be used repeatedly, allowing you to save work and erase everything else.

7. Google Keep – Digital Sticky Notes That Stick

Use it to capture quick ideas, batch feedback, or create checklists. Label and color code for visibility. Bonus: integrates well with Gmail and Calendar.


5 Time-Saving Habits to Build This Month

Tools help. But systems sustain. Here are habits to pair with your tools:

1. Theme Your Days

  • Monday: Lesson planning
  • Tuesday: Grading
  • Wednesday: Family communication
  • Thursday: Data and meetings
  • Friday: Catch up + self-care

2. Use Comment Banks and Rubrics

Create a Google Doc with your most-used feedback phrases. Pair with single-point rubrics in Google Classroom.

3. Batch Like a Boss

Group similar tasks (e.g., grade all assignments from 2nd period, then all from 3rd) to reduce cognitive switching.

4. Automate What You Can

Schedule recurring parent newsletters. Use auto-responders during peak grading periods. Build email templates.

5. Reflect Weekly

Take 15 minutes each Friday to reflect:

  • What worked?
  • What drained me?
  • What can I tweak for next week?

Final Thoughts: Time Is a Teacher’s Most Precious Resource

You are not a robot. You are not lazy. You are not doing it wrong.

You are working inside a system that asks too much and gives too little.

But with the right tools and some intentional design, you can reclaim your time.

You deserve to leave school without guilt. You deserve a weekend. You deserve a full life.

It begins by treating your time as sacred.



The Eclectic Educator is a free resource for everyone passionate about education and creativity. If you enjoy the content and want to support the newsletter, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps keep the insights and inspiration coming!

Coming This Fall: A Must-Read for Every K–8 Educator Ready to Ignite Innovation

Sparking Innovation in Children Through STEM Exploration: A K-8 Teacher′s Guide to Inspiring Future Problem Solvers

In Sparking Innovation in Children Through STEM Exploration: A K–8 Teacher’s Guide to Inspiring Future Problem Solvers, Brandy Howard and Richard Cox, Jr. offer more than a book—they offer a call to action. Grounded in empathy, equity, and real-world relevance, this essential resource equips educators with a clear, adaptable framework to transform their classrooms into incubators of creativity and critical thinking.

At the heart of the book is the Innov8 Framework—eight flexible, student-centered phases designed to spark curiosity, fuel collaboration, and sustain meaningful impact. Whether you’re new to STEM integration or looking to deepen your practice, this book provides:

  • Step-by-step guidance through the Innov8 process
  • Editable tools you can use tomorrow—lesson plans, interest surveys, reflection prompts, and more
  • Real stories from classrooms that are already making innovation thrive

This is the blueprint for teaching that inspires. If you’re committed to preparing students for an unpredictable future—while anchoring learning in justice, inquiry, and agency—this book belongs on your shelf (and in your hands).

Sparking Innovation in Children Through STEM Exploration: A K-8 Teacher′s Guide to Inspiring Future Problem Solvers
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Cox, Richard (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 09/23/2025 (Publication Date) – Corwin (Publisher)


The Eclectic Educator is a free resource for everyone passionate about education and creativity. If you enjoy the content and want to support the newsletter, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps keep the insights and inspiration coming!

10 Must-Read New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books for June 2025

man wearing white full face motorcycle helmet
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The heat has officially arrived here in Kentucky, and with it comes one of my favorite seasonal rituals: the Summer Reading Stack. You know the one. The books you optimistically pile up beside your hammock, or your travel bag, or your nightstand, knowing full well you won’t read them all, but determined to try anyway.

As I prepare to disappear into as many pages as possible between projects and planning, I’ve rounded up some of the June 2025 SFF releases that have piqued my curiosity, stirred my genre-loving soul, and whispered, “read me next.” This month’s picks include vampire spaceships, cursed couriers, underwater palaces, swan-based political coups, and so much more.

So pour yourself a tall glass of iced tea (or Romulan ale — I won’t judge), and dive into this list of stellar speculative fiction releases.


10 Fantastical New SFF Books for June 2025

Black Salt Queen by Samantha Bansil

Out June 3 (Bindery Books)

A dying queen. An heir who can’t get it together. A rival powerful enough to tear down everything. This high-stakes island fantasy features matriarchal legacy, political power grabs, and complicated magic. It’s giving Game of Thrones meets The Green Bone Saga — and I am here for it.

Sale
Black Salt Queen (Letters from Maynara, 1)
  • Bansil, Samantha (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 416 Pages – 06/03/2025 (Publication Date) – Bindery Books (Publisher)

Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove

Out June 3 (Bindery Books)

If you told me this book was Dracula meets Battlestar Galactica, I’d throw my credits at the nearest data terminal. Set on the spaceship Demeter (a clever nod to Stoker), this queer horror story features space vampires, interstellar travel, and a haunted AI that might need to become Blade.

Of Monsters and Mainframes
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Truelove, Barbara (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 407 Pages – 06/03/2025 (Publication Date) – Bindery Books (Publisher)

The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott

Out June 10 (Tor Books)

When the royal road trip from hell goes sideways (thanks, arrogant prince), it’s up to Elen the courier to get everyone out of a haunted town alive. This one promises political intrigue, ancient magic, and the kind of “why am I always the responsible one?” energy I feel deep in my soul.

The Witch Roads
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Elliott, Kate (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 439 Pages – 06/10/2025 (Publication Date) – Tor Books (Publisher)

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab

Out June 10 (Tor Books)

Three women. Three timelines. Vampires. Schwab’s gothic sensibilities are on full display in this “toxic lesbian vampire” novel (her words, not mine), and I’m already bracing for heartbreak, blood, and beautifully written trauma.

Sale
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
  • Hardcover Book
  • Schwab, V. E. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 544 Pages – 06/10/2025 (Publication Date) – Tor Books (Publisher)

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes

Out June 17 (Legacy Lit)

A glamorous NYC publicist finds herself haunted — literally and figuratively — after a museum tragedy. Throw in a psychic caught in a ghostly love triangle and some deeply buried secrets, and this one sounds like The Sixth Sense meets Scandal with a Bronx twist.

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery: A Novel
  • Hardcover Book
  • Haynes, Clarence A. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 240 Pages – 06/17/2025 (Publication Date) – Legacy Lit (Publisher)

Seventhblade by Tonia Laird

Out June 17 (ECW Press)

An Indigenous warrior mother seeking vengeance in a colonized city? Yes, please. Add in morally gray alliances, godlike powers, and a blood debt that could ignite a revolution, and you’ve got a fantasy epic I’m bumping to the top of the list.

Seventhblade
  • Laird, Tonia (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 376 Pages – 06/17/2025 (Publication Date) – ECW Press (Publisher)

New SFF for Young Readers (and the Young at Heart)

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

Out June 3 (Knopf Books)

Beauty and the Beast but make it a con artist with prophetic painting powers? Lim continues to blend folklore and feminism with flair. Truyan agrees to marry the Dragon King to save her family, but we all know that kind of bargain never goes according to plan…

Sale
A Forgery of Fate
  • Hardcover Book
  • Lim, Elizabeth (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 480 Pages – 06/03/2025 (Publication Date) – Knopf Books for Young Readers (Publisher)

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

Out June 24 (Random House)

A medieval town where freedom is earned by surviving a year and a day — until a ghost, a dragon, and a murder shake the walls. Hartman’s return promises haunting imagery and a layered coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of Seraphina and The Graveyard Book.

Among Ghosts
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Hartman, Rachel (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 399 Pages – 06/24/2025 (Publication Date) – Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)

Embrace the Serpent by Sunya Mara

Out June 24 (HarperCollins)

A jeweler’s apprentice finds herself in the Serpent King’s castle. To survive, she marries him — but finds herself drawn to someone else entirely. Intrigue, jewels, forbidden romance… this one’s for readers who like their fantasy a little dark and a lot twisty.

Embrace the Serpent
  • Hardcover Book
  • Mara, Sunya (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 352 Pages – 06/24/2025 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)

A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek

Out June 24 (Margaret K. McElderry Books)

Inspired by Swan Lake, this sapphic fantasy delivers palace politics, magical transformations, and a mission to restore a kingdom’s lost magic. When the king dies and blame falls on the wrong person, Odile must team up with the very person she betrayed to find the truth.

A Treachery of Swans
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Poranek, A. B. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 368 Pages – 06/24/2025 (Publication Date) – Margaret K. McElderry Books (Publisher)

Bonus Picks (Because I Can’t Help Myself)

New
On Alien Skies (The Icarus Code: A Sci-Fi Thriller Book 4)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Walker, Rysa (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 02/09/2026 (Publication Date) – Starry Night Books (Publisher)
New
Manifold Destiny: Hard Science Fiction (Metamorphosis Book 3)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Walton, C. R. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 11/01/2025 (Publication Date)
New
Starblood (Book #8): A Sci Fi Progression Adventure Series
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Prokofiev, Roman (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 10/07/2025 (Publication Date) – Magic Dome Books (Publisher)
New
Legacy – Shadows of War: Book Three of the Legacy Sci-Fi Adventure Series
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Elliott, Bradley (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 433 Pages – 06/24/2025 (Publication Date) – Bolger Books (Publisher)
New
Killjoy: An MM Enemies to Lovers Sci-Fi Romance (Starhawk Book 2)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Lothy, Adrienne (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 446 Pages – 06/24/2025 (Publication Date) – Read the Stars Publishing (Publisher)
New
Kinetic Action (Alien Ship for Sale, Books 5-7): First Command Scifi Box Set (Realms)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Rozak, Miles (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1014 Pages – 06/17/2025 (Publication Date) – Megaulcite Press (Publisher)
New
Heretic’s Path: A Science Fiction Adventure (Shadow Host Book 3)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Gorman, K. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 06/17/2025 (Publication Date) – Aethon Books (Publisher)
New
Crazy Misadventures In Liquid Cool: Sci Fi / Cyberpunk Detective Novella Collection (Liquid Cool: Cases and Crazy Misadventures Book 1)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Dragon, Austin (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 257 Pages – 06/03/2025 (Publication Date) – Well-Tailored Books (Publisher)
New
Entanglement Book I: Strange Attraction: An LGBTQ+ Science Fantasy Serial
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Gillespie, M. A. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 113 Pages – 06/02/2025 (Publication Date)
New
Nostalgika: A Dark Science Fiction and Psychological Horror Novel (Science Fiction Anthologies Book 8)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Dunkler, A. R. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 06/01/2025 (Publication Date)

That’s all for now, fellow explorers of the weird and wonderful. If you pick up any of these, let me know — I’m always up for a good bookish conversation, especially if it involves morally ambiguous magic or sentient spaceships.

Until next time: read deeply, imagine wildly, and remember… the TBR pile is infinite, but your joy is the compass.



The Eclectic Educator is a free resource for everyone passionate about education and creativity. If you enjoy the content and want to support the newsletter, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps keep the insights and inspiration coming!