As a teacher I am always looking for ways to gain more knowledge about teaching. I am currently taking professional development through 5-Star Academy. One of the modules is on Time Management. After taking a short quiz I was able to pinpoint the exact area of time management that is the biggest problem for me. This area was on managing interruptions. In order to help with the interruptions I decided that I would make a list with three categories: urgent (must be taken care of now), moderately important (needs to be done by the end of the day), and mildly important (needs attention by the end of the week).
I normally get interrupted by students from a club I sponsor or from my main student out in the general education population who needs a lot of attention. After making my categories I had information above them telling students, teachers, and principals to please list name and reason for seeing me. If it was an urgent need I would be with them as soon as I got my students started. This checklist was helpful when it came to student interruptions. Many times students thought it was an urgent need, but I could tell by the information listed that it could wait and I would send them on their way. By having this checklist I was able to really focus on my students and only get interrupted a few times a day when normally it was 5-7 times a day. This also helped me understand how much work I am able to get done during times that I don't have interruptions and when students aren't around I am able to focus on my interruption important list.
If you are struggling with daily interruptions during the classroom instruction time it is important to have a way to separate important ones that need taken care of now with those that can wait. My checklist made it easier for me, but it may not work for someone else. Come up with something that is simple and easy to follow through. Once it is done you can even check it off! This will make the list even easier to use/see.
