Mike Paul

Tag: teachers

  • Can an App Cure Math Anxiety? Duolingo Thinks So.

    Duolingo

    Most of us have heard (or said) the phrase: “I’m just not a math person.”
    Duolingo—the same company that made millions of people practice Spanish while waiting in line at Starbucks—is on a mission to change that story.

    You probably know Duolingo as the language app with the slightly unhinged green owl who won’t let you forget your streak. But since 2022, Duolingo has been quietly building something new: a math course. And just like its approach to languages, the company believes it can make math more approachable, less intimidating, and maybe even fun.

    Why Math? Why Now?

    According to Samantha Siegel, the engineer leading Duolingo’s math push, the choice to focus on 3rd grade and up wasn’t random. Around that age, kids hit fractions—and that’s where things start to go sideways for a lot of learners. Fractions are a gateway. Struggle there, and the rest of math often feels like a foreign language.

    Duolingo’s idea: treat math like a language. Build fluency through small, repeatable practice. Create low-stakes games. Give immediate feedback. And—most importantly—reduce the anxiety that creeps in when kids (and adults) start believing math is beyond them.

    How It Works

    If you’ve ever tapped your way through Spanish verbs or French phrases, the math experience feels familiar—but with some clever twists:

    • Dynamic problems: Lessons refresh with new numbers every time, so you’re not memorizing answers—you’re actually practicing.
    • Interactive input: Instead of multiple choice, you might drag the corners of a rectangle to measure area, or handwrite a fraction into the screen.
    • Visual learning: Geometry isn’t just explained; it’s something you manipulate on the screen.

    In other words, the app tries to ground abstract math ideas in movement, visuals, and play.

    Tackling Math Anxiety Head-On

    Here’s the thing: math anxiety is real, and it’s not just about ability—it’s about confidence. When kids (or adults) tense up at the first sight of an equation, their brains literally struggle to process what’s in front of them.

    Duolingo’s bet is that by gamifying the experience, they can lower the stakes. Just like the app makes it totally fine to get a French verb wrong, it’s trying to make it okay to fumble a fraction. In a classroom context, that shift could matter—a lot.

    Where It Stands Today

    The math course is now baked right into the main Duolingo app, alongside language and even music lessons. Learners can keep their streak going across subjects—whether they’re conjugating verbs, strumming chords, or multiplying fractions. Duolingo hasn’t shared exact numbers, but we’re talking millions of math users already.

    And it’s not just for kids. Plenty of adults are using it too—either to brush up on long-forgotten basics or to help their kids without pulling out dusty textbooks.

    What This Means for Educators

    Is Duolingo going to replace teachers? Of course not. But as a supplemental tool, it’s promising. It gives students a way to practice math outside the classroom that feels a lot more like a game than homework. It also gives parents an accessible, non-threatening entry point into supporting their kids’ learning.

    The bigger story here is the attempt to reframe math itself. If Duolingo can help chip away at the “I’m not a math person” narrative—if it can make math feel just a little more like a game and a little less like a stress test—that’s a win.

    Final Thought

    Duolingo isn’t just teaching fractions and geometry; it’s trying to rewrite how learners feel about math. And in a world where math anxiety holds so many students back, that mission might matter even more than the streaks.

    Maybe, just maybe, the next time someone says “I can’t do math,” we’ll have an owl to thank for proving them wrong.


    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!

  • Daring Greatly: The Courage Manual You Didn’t Know You Needed

    Daring Greatly

    Blistering verdict: Brené Brown turns vulnerability from a punchline into a power-up. Daring Greatly isn’t self-help fluff; it’s a rigor-backed field guide for stepping into the arena when your brain is screaming, “Nope.” It reads fast, hits hard, and leaves you with language—and habits—that change how you lead, teach, parent, and show up.

    Spoiler-free recap (no “cheap seats” commentary included)

    Brown’s premise is simple and seismic: vulnerability is courage in action—the willingness to be seen when outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Drawing on years of qualitative research, she maps how shame (the fear of disconnection) drives perfectionism, numbing, and armor… and how shame resilience (naming what’s happening, reality-checking our stories, reaching out, and speaking it) gives us our lives back.

    You’ll walk through:

    • Scarcity culture (“never enough”) vs. worthiness (“I’m enough, so I can risk more”).
    • Armor types—perfectionism, foreboding joy, cynicism—and how to set them down.
    • Empathy as antidote (connection > fixing).
    • Wholeheartedness: living with courage + compassion + connection, anchored by boundaries.

    No plot twists to spoil—just a research-driven blueprint that makes bravery behavioral, not mythical.

    Why this book still matters (and why your team/family/class will feel it)

    • It rewires the courage myth. Courage isn’t swagger; it’s risk + emotional exposure + uncertainty. That framing scales from a tough conversation to a moonshot.
    • It gives you a shared language. “Armor,” “scarcity,” “shame triggers,” “wholehearted”—terms your team can actually use in meetings without rolling their eyes.
    • It upgrades feedback culture. Vulnerability isn’t oversharing; it’s specific, boundaried honesty. That’s the backbone of psychological safety and real performance.
    • It’s ruthlessly practical. The book reads like a human-systems playbook: name it, normalize it, and move—together.

    No products found.

    What hits different in 2025

    • AI & authenticity. In a world of auto-generated polish, human risk-taking is the differentiator. Vulnerability is how we build trust beyond the algorithm.
    • Hybrid work, thin trust. Distance amplifies story-making. Brown’s “story I’m telling myself…” move is rocket fuel for remote teams and relationships.
    • Schools & Gen Z. Teens live under surveillance capitalism. Teaching boundaries + worthiness beats any pep talk on resilience.

    Read it like a field guide (fast, no navel-gazing required)

    • Skim for tools, then circle back for depth. Treat each section like a drill you can run this week.
    • Practice out loud. Say the scripts: “Here’s what I’m afraid of… Here’s what I need… The story I’m telling myself is…”
    • Pick one arena. A hard 1:1, a classroom norm, a family ritual. Ship courage in small, observable iterations.

    For my fellow geeks & builders

    If Neuromancer gave us cyberspace, this gives us the social API for courage. It’s the middleware between your values and your behavior under load. Think of shame as a high-latency bug; Brown gives you the observability tools to catch it in prod and roll a patch without taking the system down.

    Who will love this

    • Leaders & coaches who care about performance and people.
    • Educators & parents building cultures of belonging without lowering standards.
    • Makers & founders whose work requires public risk and iterative failure.
    • Anyone tired of armoring up and ready to try brave instead of perfect.

    Pair it with (next reads)

    • The Gifts of Imperfection (Brown) — the on-ramp to wholehearted living.
    • Dare to Lead (Brown) — her organizational upgrade, perfect for teams.
    • Crucial Conversations (Patterson et al.) — tactics for high-stakes talk, post-armor.

    Final verdict

    Five stars, zero hedging. Daring Greatly is the rare book that alters your behavioral defaults. It’s sticky, quotable, and wildly usable the minute you close it. If you build products, classes, teams, or families, this is the courage stack you want installed.

    Ready to step into the arena? Grab Daring Greatly in paperback, hardcover, or audio—whichever format helps you practice while you read. (Some links on my site may be affiliate links, which help support this work at no extra cost to you.)


    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!

  • Four Thousand Weeks Book Review & Summary for Teachers (2025): Oliver Burkeman’s Time-Management Blueprint to Beat Burnout and Reclaim Classroom Time

    confused businessman checking time on wristwatch
    Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

    When the average human lifespan is broken into weeks, it comes out to roughly 4,000 tiny squares on a calendar. Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals argues that every choice you—or your teachers—make is an irrevocable investment of one of those squares. That simple, urgent idea is the antidote to the chronic overload driving record-high teacher stress and attrition. Below is the straight-talk pitch I deliver when I hand the book to a classroom teacher—no fables, no fluff, just a direct-response case for why this needs to be the first professional-development read of the new school year.

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    The Pain You Already Feel

    • Teachers are working an average of 49 hours per week—ten more than they’re paid for—and still feel behind. (RAND Corporation)
    • Seventy-eight percent have considered quitting since the pandemic. (National Education Association)
    • Three-quarters now shoulder extra duties to cover shortages, compounding burnout. (Devlin Peck)
    • A typical classroom loses the equivalent of ten instructional days each year to interruptions alone. (Education Week)

    Those numbers aren’t a motivation problem; they’re a math problem. No planner, rubric, or inbox-zero ritual will create the hours you don’t have. Burkeman starts where every other productivity guru won’t: by admitting you can’t fit it all in.

    The Big Idea Teachers Haven’t Tried Yet

    Burkeman’s thesis is deceptively simple: because you’re finite, you must decide—up front—what you will not do. Reviewers have called the book “refreshingly alternative” to hustle culture (Matt Swain) and “a wise meditation on human transience” (Janice Greenwood). For educators drowning in initiatives, it’s a life-raft made of three core moves:

    1. Choose what to fail at. Instead of trying to “balance” everything, deliberately neglect low-stakes tasks so high-impact work can thrive (Finding Mastery).
    2. Work from a “closed” list. Keep a limitless “open” list for every possible to-do, but restrict your active list to ten items—nothing enters until something exits (Reddit).
    3. Pay yourself first with time. Devote your best hour each day to priorities that matter before the building’s demands siphon your focus (sidsavara.com).

    These are not trendy hacks. They are structural shifts that acknowledge the conveyor-belt reality of modern schools.

    Five Transformations Your Teachers Will See

    1. From Endless Prep to Deliberate Impact

    Adopting the closed-list rule forces teachers to ask: Which planning task will move student learning the farthest today? Every “yes” becomes a promise to finish, not a vague ambition. In trials outside education, practitioners report sharper focus and lower anxiety after just one week (idratherbewriting.com).

    2. From Reactive to Strategic Inbox

    Burkeman’s “decide what to fail at” legitimizes delayed email responses. When leaders institute 24-hour reply windows, RAND found teacher stress indicators drop while retention rises (RAND Corporation). Guiltless triage frees hours that would otherwise be lost to back-and-forth threads.

    3. From Exhausted Evenings to Guarded Mornings

    The “pay yourself first” principle mirrors personal-finance wisdom: invest before you spend. Guardian productivity analysts list tackling the hardest task first as one of the top ways to regain calendar control (The Guardian). Teachers who block the first prep period for deep work finish grading faster and carry less home.

    4. From Hustle Guilt to Intentional Leisure

    Burkeman reframes rest as an end, not a recharge tactic—critical, given that female educators report higher burnout than their peers every year since 2021 (RAND Corporation). Structured downtime protects cognitive bandwidth for tomorrow’s classes.

    5. From Initiative Fatigue to Focused Mastery

    When districts subtract old programs before adding new ones, they see stronger morale and fewer resignations (idratherbewriting.com). The book supplies the philosophical permission slip administrators need to prune the agenda.

    What Your Teachers Will Learn—Chapter by Chapter

    ChapterTeacher Translation
    The Limit-Embracing LifeWhy the dream of “someday I’ll catch up” is a trap—and how to stop waiting for it.
    The Efficiency TrapProof that faster grading often creates more grading (looking at you, instant-feedback apps).
    The Watermelon ProblemHow to spot “busywork masquerading as importance” before it hijacks planning time.
    The Cluttered Desk of the MindMental techniques to resist the dopamine pull of hallway interruptions and push notifications.
    The End of Time ManagementA practical blueprint for the closed-list system and serial focus—complete with classroom-ready examples.

    Each chapter concludes with thought experiments and micro-habits that are easy to test during a single prep block.

    Hard Proof It Works

    • Technical writer David Kowalsky reduced his active task list from 27 items to 7 in one week by adopting the open/closed system (idratherbewriting.com).
    • Readers on Goodreads consistently cite the “closed list” as the most transformational takeaway (Goodreads).
    • Productivity forums report that the two-list method can slash context-switching fatigue within days (Reddit).

    If it can tame an entrepreneur’s workload, it can tame a teacher’s.

    How to Roll It Out Next Week

    1. Assign Chapters 1-3 for a PLC discussion. Frame it around the RAND burnout data to root the conversation in urgency (RAND Corporation).
    2. Pilot the closed-list in one content team. Compare instructional-minute recovery against the EdWeek interruption baseline of ten lost days (Education Week).
    3. Use the “choose what to fail” exercise to cut one legacy assignment per unit. Frees cognitive load for feedback that matters.
    4. Protect a daily “pay yourself first” slot; even 15 minutes meets Guardian guidelines for reclaiming focus (The Guardian).
    5. Revisit results after two weeks. Expect fewer late-night grading marathons and clearer student feedback cycles.

    Objections You’ll Hear—and How to Answer

    “I can’t ignore emails—parents will panic!”
    Set automated replies promising a 24-hour turnaround. Research shows that delayed, thoughtful answers can reduce the need for follow-up emails, ultimately netting you more goodwill (The Guardian).

    “My to-do list won’t fit on one page.”
    That’s the point. The overflow belongs on the open list where it can’t ambush your attention (Goodreads).

    “I don’t have time to read a book.”
    Burkeman’s 288 pages equal four 40-minute commutes or one Netflix mini-series. The ROI is reclaiming weeks this semester.

    Ready to Start?

    Grab the Book on Amazon →

    Your teachers don’t need another app, spreadsheet, or motivational poster. They need a paradigm that acknowledges reality, honors their limited weeks, and channels focus where it counts: student learning. Four Thousand Weeks delivers exactly that.

    Sources

    1. Matt Swain, book summary of Four Thousand Weeks (Matt Swain)
    2. RAND Corporation, State of the American Teacher 2025 (RAND Corporation)
    3. NEA, “What’s Causing Teacher Burnout?” (National Education Association)
    4. Devlin Peck, Teacher Burnout Statistics 2025 (Devlin Peck)
    5. Education Week, Classroom Interruptions Study (Education Week)
    6. Janice Greenwood, book review of Four Thousand Weeks (Janice Greenwood)
    7. Guardian, 14 Productivity Hacks (The Guardian)
    8. Reddit r/Productivity, “4000 Weeks To-Do List” (Reddit)
    9. David Kowalsky, productivity experiments (idratherbewriting.com)
    10. Goodreads quote on open/closed lists (Goodreads)
    11. Jessica Mehring, “Choosing What You Fail At” (Jessica Mehring, Author)
    12. Oliver Burkeman interview on Finding Mastery (Finding Mastery)

  • The 40-Hour Teacher Week Myth (and 7 Time-Saving Tools That Actually Work)

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

    The Lie We’ve All Been Sold

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

    Between planning, grading, answering emails, parent meetings, PD sessions, hallway duty, IEPs, MTSS meetings, and trying to breathe 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 7 time-saving tools that can actually 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 Week Doesn’t Exist in Education

    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 actually 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.

    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 speed it up.
    • 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.”

    No products found.

    7 Time-Saving Tools Every Teacher Should Use

    Each of these is designed to save time without sacrificing quality—and yes, they’re all tools I either use or would recommend.

    1. Planbook.com – Digital Lesson Planning Made Simple

    Say goodbye to clunky binders and endless Google Docs. Planbook allows you to plan, align to standards, and adjust with drag-and-drop ease.
    Affiliate Tip: Mention the ability to copy lessons year-to-year, saving hours in future terms.

    2. Google Keep – Fast Notes, Checklists, and To-Dos

    Think of it as your sticky note board, digitized. Keep is great for batching feedback notes, tracking student conferences, and setting reminders.
    Pro Tip: Use labels like “Grading,” “Parent Calls,” or “Copy Room” to stay organized.

    3. ClickUp or Notion – Project Management for Educators

    Use these to manage units, track standards, or even collaborate across your PLC.
    Want to build a weekly to-do board? Create a reusable template.

    4. Grammarly Premium – Write Faster, Grade Smarter

    Speed up parent emails, student feedback, and even lesson materials. Let Grammarly handle grammar, tone, and conciseness so you can focus on content.

    5. Mote – Voice Comments in Google Classroom

    Record personalized audio feedback directly into student work. Students engage more, and you save time typing.
    It’s also fantastic for English learners and students with IEP accommodations.

    6. Text Blaze – Auto-Responses and Comment Banks

    If you find yourself typing the exact phrases over and over, Text Blaze lets you create keyboard shortcuts that expand into full sentences, feedback, or email replies.
    Think: /grade1 = “Great start! Please expand on your second point.”

    7. Rocketbook – Reusable Smart Notebook

    Want to plan on paper but keep it digital? Write in this notebook, scan it with your phone, and send it directly to Google Drive, Notion, or email.
    Great for capturing notes from PD or coaching conversations, then tossing them into your digital workflow.

    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.

    And it starts by treating your time as sacred.

  • Reimagining the Classroom: The Shift to Student-Led with UDL & Blended Learning

    Reimagining the Classroom: The Shift to Student-Led with UDL & Blended Learning
    Version 1.0.0

    Why This Book Should Be on Every Teacher’s Radar

    If you’ve ever found yourself carrying the full weight of your classroom on your shoulders—exhausted, overextended, and wondering if your students are truly engaged—The Shift to Student-Led by Catlin R. Tucker and Katie Novak offers a powerful path forward.

    By blending Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with blended learning strategies, this book helps teachers transition from being the center of the classroom to becoming learning designers and facilitators, without sacrificing structure, rigor, or accountability.

    Let’s break it down 👇

    No products found.

    🔑 Big Ideas in The Shift to Student-Led

    • Empowers learners to take charge of their education through student-led workflows that build agency, motivation, and metacognition.
    • Aligns with UDL principles, offering multiple ways for students to access content, express learning, and stay engaged.
    • Supports teacher sustainability with practical tools that reduce burnout and promote shared responsibility in the classroom.
    • Includes ready-to-use templates and reflection tools for immediate implementation—in class or in PLCs.

    What Are Student-Led Workflows?

    Tucker and Novak outline 10 specific shifts that flip the script on traditional classroom practices. A few standout transformations:

    From…To…
    Sit-and-get lessonsInquiry-based discovery
    Whole-group discussionsStudent-facilitated conversations
    Solo assignmentsProjects with authentic audiences
    Teacher-led feedbackStudent self-assessment & reflection
    Private practicePeer-created practice tasks

    Each shift includes step-by-step guides, examples, and tools to make it manageable, even in busy classrooms with diverse learners.

    🎯 Why This Matters Now (More Than Ever)

    Teaching is hard. Teaching after a pandemic, amid ongoing changes and rising needs? Even harder.

    This book isn’t just about pedagogy—it’s about reclaiming joy in your practice and building classrooms where students are doing the work of learning. That includes:

    • Meeting diverse needs without creating 30 different lesson plans.
    • Building life-ready skills like reflection, goal-setting, and collaboration.
    • Creating space for student voice, choice, and autonomy.

    Who This Book Is Perfect For

    👩‍🏫 K–12 Teachers looking to create more student-driven classrooms
    🤝 Instructional Coaches supporting PLCs or teacher growth cycles
    🏫 School Leaders designing systems that promote learner agency
    🎓 Pre-service Teachers & Faculty studying modern learning design

    Free Resources to Get You Started

    Ready to Start Small? Here’s How 👣

    • Pick one workflow to try—maybe feedback or group discussions.
    • Invite students into the process: What helps them learn? What’s not working?
    • Use reflection check-ins to adjust and improve.
    • Celebrate growth—with student artifacts, voice recordings, or video showcases.

    Classroom Scenarios That Just Work

    • Middle School ELA: Students run peer-led literature circles with discussion protocols
    • High School Science: Learners build digital flashcard decks and quiz each other
    • Upper Elementary: Students design mini passion projects and present them to families

    Final Thoughts: Why This Shift Matters

    This isn’t a silver bullet, but it is a breath of fresh air. The Shift to Student-Led gives educators the tools to create meaningful, student-centered learning without burning out. You’ll find yourself doing less of the heavy lifting and more of the inspiring.

    And that’s the kind of classroom every student—and teacher—deserves.

    Want to Dive Deeper?

    📘 Read: The Shift to Student-Led: Reimagining Classroom Workflows with UDL and Blended Learning
    🎧 Listen: Podcast Episode with Tucker & Novak
    📺 Watch: Video on Small-Group Discussion Shifts
    🛠️ Access Templates + Book Club Kit

    No products found.

  • 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.

    No products found.

    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.

    No products found.

    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!

  • Trump Declares War on Libraries—Signs Order to Eliminate Federal Library Funding

    chair beside book shelves
    Photo by Rafael Cosquiere on Pexels.com

    Libraries are one of the last truly public institutions—free, accessible to all, and serving millions every year. So of course, the Trump administration wants to destroy them.

    On Friday night, Trump signed an executive order eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency that funds America’s libraries. The same institution that provides:
    📚 Early literacy programs for kids
    📚 High-speed internet access for communities left behind by telecom giants
    📚 Summer reading programs for children
    📚 Job search assistance for unemployed workers
    📚 Braille and talking books for people with visual impairments

    All for just 0.003% of the federal budget—peanuts compared to corporate subsidies and military spending. But let’s be real: this isn’t about money. This is about power.

    Libraries are one of the last spaces in America not controlled by corporations or the ultra-rich. They provide free access to knowledge, support marginalized communities, and serve as safe havens. That’s why the right-wing hates them.

    This move is part of a broader fascist attack on public institutions. They’ve been banning books, terrorizing librarians, and defunding schools. Now they’re going after the very existence of libraries themselves.

    We fight back.
    📢 Call your reps and demand they stop this.
    📢 Show up at town halls and library board meetings.
    📢 Flood Congress with calls, emails, and protests.
    📢 Support your local libraries—because once they’re gone, they won’t come back.

    🔥 Defend public libraries. Defend public knowledge. Defend democracy. 🔥


    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!

  • Links for Tuesday, March 11, 2025

    1. Thoughts on Manus, a new general AI agent coming out of China.
    2. Media Matters sues X to stop lawsuits outside of the US
    3. Judge orders DOGE to release records on an ‘expedited basis’
    4. ‘We’re Drowning’: Teacher Pay vs. Cost of Living Approaches Crisis Level in WV’s Eastern Panhandle

  • Transform Your Teaching Mindset: How Positive Thinking Drives Success in the Classroom

    close up shot of inspiring words on a brown paper
    Photo by Eva Bronzini on Pexels.com

    Your mindset shapes every aspect of your teaching. It influences how you handle classroom challenges, connect with your students, and even how much you enjoy your career. A positive mindset isn’t about ignoring difficulties—it’s about seeing growth opportunities where others see obstacles. As Henry Ford wisely said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t—you’re right.”

    For teachers, how you think about yourself and your work directly impacts your effectiveness. But how can you cultivate a positive teaching mindset when the job demands feel overwhelming? The answer lies in small, intentional practices that rewire your thinking and keep you focused on the possibilities rather than the problems.

    Reframing Classroom Challenges

    Teachers face tough days—students acting out, lessons falling flat, and mounting to-do lists. In these moments, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But reframing challenges can make all the difference. Instead of thinking, “This student will never improve,” shift to, “This student is showing me where they need the most support.” Reframing doesn’t ignore the problem—it changes how you approach it.

    To reinforce this practice, try using affirmations such as:

    • “I am a resourceful and adaptable teacher.”
    • “I see challenges as opportunities to grow.”
    • “Every student has the potential to succeed, and I am part of their journey.”

    Write these affirmations down or repeat them in moments of frustration to reset your mindset.

    Visualization as a Teaching Tool

    Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Visualization is a powerful technique often used by athletes and leaders, and it can be just as effective for teachers. Take five minutes each morning to picture your ideal day—students engaged, lessons flowing smoothly, and yourself responding with patience and confidence. This simple practice helps you enter the classroom with a clear vision of success.

    Pair this practice with positive affirmations to strengthen its effect. For instance, while visualizing, repeat statements like, “I am confident and capable of handling any situation today.” Visualization, combined with affirmations, primes your brain to approach the day with clarity and focus.

    Modeling Positivity in the Classroom

    Your mindset impacts you and influences your students. When you approach teaching with optimism and confidence, your students are more likely to mirror those attitudes. Start the day with a positive affirmation for the class, such as “Today is a great day for learning.” Encourage students to create their own affirmations, fostering a classroom culture of positivity and growth.

    Go Beyond Words With Tools That Amplify Your Efforts

    While affirmations and visualization are powerful, tools like MindZoom Affirmations Software can take your mindset work to the next level. MindZoom integrates subliminal affirmations into your daily life, effortlessly reinforcing positive thoughts as you work, plan, and teach. It’s an easy way to stay consistent and ensure your mindset aligns with the success you envision.

    Your Next Step: Invest in Your Mindset

    Teaching is challenging, but your mindset can make all the difference. Integrating affirmations, visualization, and tools that support positivity into your routine can transform how you approach your classroom and your career. Ready to take the next step in becoming the teacher you’ve always wanted to be?

    Click here to learn how MindZoom Affirmations Software can help you unlock your full potential and thrive in 2025.

  • How Teachers Can Beat Burnout Using Affirmations and Positive Mindset Practices

    pink sticky notes on glass mirror
    Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

    Burnout is one of the biggest challenges in education today, especially for teachers balancing endless tasks, demanding classrooms, and a profession that asks so much while offering so little time for self-care. The result? Exhaustion, frustration, and even questioning whether you can keep going. But the truth is, you don’t have to feel stuck. By shifting your mindset with affirmations and positive practices, you can regain control, restore your energy, and rediscover the joy in teaching.

    Burnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about feeling like your effort doesn’t matter. But as Marcus Aurelius wrote in Meditations, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” This quote is a cornerstone for battling burnout. You may not have the power to change your curriculum, your students’ behavior, or the expectations placed on you, but you can change how you react to these challenges. Affirmations are a simple yet effective way to begin this shift.

    Start Each Day With a Positive Mindset

    The way you start your morning often determines how the rest of the day unfolds. Instead of diving into stress the moment you wake up, take five minutes to ground yourself with affirmations like:

    • “I am calm, capable, and prepared for today’s challenges.”
    • “I am making a difference, even when it feels invisible.”
    • “I have the energy to meet this day with enthusiasm.”

    These statements, repeated silently or aloud, prime your brain to approach the day positively. Writing them in a journal amplifies their impact. Pairing affirmations with deep breathing or mindful stretches can make the practice even more restorative.

    Use Visual Cues to Reframe Your Mindset

    Eleanor Roosevelt famously said:

    “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

    Visual affirmations can help you reclaim your sense of self if external pressures drag you down. Post uplifting statements where you’ll see them regularly—on your desk, computer, or even in your classroom. Every time you see them, pause and take a deep breath. This simple act reminds you that you can choose your thoughts and feelings.

    A practical example for teachers: After a challenging class, instead of telling yourself, “This is impossible,” reframe it with, “I am learning from this experience and growing stronger.” It’s a slight mental shift, but over time, it rewires your brain to respond to stress with resilience rather than defeat.

    Recharge With Affirmations Throughout the Day

    Burnout often creeps in during quiet moments—during lunch breaks, planning periods, or the drive home—when the weight of the day sinks in. Combat this by integrating affirmations into these moments. Repeat statements like, “I release what I cannot control,” or “Every challenge I face makes me a better teacher.”

    Consider using a tool like MindZoom Affirmations Software for an even more powerful recharge. MindZoom allows you to automate affirmations, seamlessly integrating positive messaging into your daily routine. Whether you’re at your desk, grading papers, or planning lessons, subliminal affirmations can work in the background to reinforce your resilience and optimism.

    Reflect and Renew

    At the end of each day, take five minutes to write down three positive moments from your day, no matter how small. This practice rewires your brain to focus on gratitude rather than stress. Pair this with evening affirmations like, “I am proud of what I accomplished today,” or “I am capable of handling whatever tomorrow brings.”

    Your Next Step: Take Control of Your Mindset

    If burnout feels like it’s winning, it’s time to take action. Reclaim your peace, energy, and joy with the power of affirmations. Tools like MindZoom Affirmations Software make it effortless to stay consistent and amplify the positive messages you’re sending yourself. Don’t let burnout define your year—equip yourself with the mindset tools to thrive.

    Click here to discover how MindZoom can transform your teaching and your life.