Managing time effectively is one of the biggest challenges educators face. From lesson planning and grading to meetings and extracurricular duties, it’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Over the last 5+ years, that has just gotten worse, as it seems like we’re continually coming up with more things to throw on their plates.
But what if professional development (PD), often seen as another time-consuming obligation, could actually help save teachers time?
When designed thoughtfully, PD can be a valuable tool for streamlining workflows and reclaiming balance.
Why Teachers Struggle with Time Management
Teachers are often stretched thin by their responsibilities, which extend far beyond the classroom.
- Multiple Hats to Wear: Beyond delivering lessons, educators manage student behavior, communicate with parents, and engage in continuous assessment. Add in extracurricular activities and meetings to the mix, and the workload becomes overwhelming.
- Unpredictable Challenges: Emergencies, last-minute schedule changes, or unexpected student needs can derail even the most well-organized plans.
- Inefficient PD Experiences: Traditional, one-size-fits-all PD often adds to the frustration, pulling teachers away from their core tasks without delivering actionable strategies of value.
Time management isn’t just about better organization; it’s about finding ways to work smarter, not harder. And this is where effective professional development can make a difference.
How Personalized PD Saves Time
One of the most significant frustrations teachers express about PD is its lack of relevance. Personalized PD shifts the focus, making training more meaningful and efficient.
- Targeted Content: By tailoring sessions to individual or team needs, personalized PD eliminates unnecessary information and focuses on strategies teachers can use immediately. For instance, instead of a broad overview of educational technology, a PD session could focus on how to use a specific tool to streamline reporting.
- Flexible Delivery Methods: Offering PD through on-demand webinars, online courses, or collaborative workshops allows teachers to engage with content on their own time, reducing disruption to their schedules.
- Actionable Takeaways: Effective PD provides ready-to-use resources or strategies, saving teachers time in lesson planning, classroom management, or data collection.
For school administrators, investing in personalized PD is a practical way to improve staff productivity and student outcomes.
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Tips for Balancing PD and Classroom Responsibilities
While effective PD can save time, balancing it with daily responsibilities is key.
- Incorporate PD into Existing Routines: Tie professional learning to current classroom goals. For example, if you’re focused on differentiation, provide PD sessions that offer strategies teachers can immediately implement.
- Set Priorities: Teachers and administrators can work together to align PD schedules with the school calendar, avoiding peak times like when grades are due, or during testing season.
- Engage in Collaborative PD: Learning with peers not only makes PD more engaging, but also allows teachers to share the workload. For instance, one teacher might implement a tool learned in a session and then train others on their team.
- Break PD into Bite-Sized Sessions when possible: Shorter, more specifically focused sessions may fit more easily into a busy schedule and allow teachers to learn at their own pace.
- Provide Time & Support for Implementation: PD feels less like “one more thing” when teachers can acually put it into action and see results. Be sure to always provide time for teachers to reflect on what they’ve learn, plan for implementation, and actually put things to work.
By focusing on personalized, actionable, and flexible PD, school administrators can support teachers in managing their time more efficiently while fostering professional growth. For teachers, the right PD doesn’t just save time, it creates opportunities for balance, innovation, and improved classroom experiences.
The next time you or your team consider professional development, remember: it’s not about adding one more thing to your plate. It’s about finding ways to lighten the load and help everyone work smarter, not harder.
About Jeff Gargas
Jeff is the COO/Co-founder of the Teach Better Team and co-author of “Teach Better.” He works with educators to increase student engagement and improve student success. He also leads the EDUcreator Club Mastermind and MBA Programs as part of the EDUcreator Club+ Community, and offers 1-on-1 coaching for teachers who have a product or idea they want to share with others to better education.
Prior to co-founding Teach Better, Jeff was the owner of ENI Multimedia, an online marketing firm, where he worked with entrepreneurs and small businesses, assisting them with web design, social media, content marketing, and brand awareness. Prior to all of this, Jeff was an adjunctive professor at Kent State University and spent 10+ years in the music industry. He has spoken at conferences around the country, and has successfully promoted more than 500 events and launched 7 businesses in a variety of industries.
Jeff is passionate about music, and enjoys spending time with his family as often as possible.
