#24: Time Management Tips for New Teachers with Ashleigh Smith
If you’re a new teacher, chances are you’re feeling overwhelmed. Between lesson planning, grading, emails, and classroom management, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. The good news? There are small but powerful shifts you can make to take back control of your time—without sacrificing your evenings and weekends.
In this post, we’ll explore actionable time management tips for new teachers that will help you create a more balanced and productive routine.

The Key to Better Time Management: Shift Your Mindset
One of the biggest struggles for new teachers is feeling like they need to check everything off their to-do list. But here’s the reality: that list will never truly be empty. Instead of a “to-do” list, try creating a wish list. This small mindset shift can reduce stress and help you prioritize what truly matters each day.
Practical Time Management Strategies for New Teachers
1. Limit Your Email Time
Emails can be a massive time drain. Instead of constantly checking your inbox throughout the day, set two specific times to read and respond to emails—once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If a task from an email takes less than five minutes, do it immediately; otherwise, add it to your wish list.
2. Use the “Five-Minute Rule”
If a task can be completed in five minutes or less, do it right away. Whether it’s responding to a quick email, organizing student materials, or prepping an activity, handling small tasks immediately prevents them from piling up.
3. Get Your Students Involved
Your classroom is a shared space, and students can help keep it organized! Assign classroom jobs and teach students how to set up and clean up efficiently. Use reference photos to show how materials should be stored so students can manage organization on their own.
4. Batch Plan Your Lessons
Instead of planning day by day, set aside a designated time each week to plan all of your lessons. Batching your tasks helps you stay focused and reduces last-minute scrambling. Try blocking off a time on Sundays or Monday afternoons to get everything mapped out.
5. Set Boundaries with a “No Work” Day
Pick one afternoon each week where you leave school right after students do—no lesson planning, grading, or meetings. Use this time for yourself, whether that’s exercising, meeting a friend for coffee, or simply relaxing. Having this built-in break prevents burnout and helps you recharge.
6. Try the “Notice and Do” Strategy
Instead of constantly directing students to clean up, teach them to notice and do something small to improve the classroom environment. This encourages responsibility and teamwork while saving you time.
7. Take Advantage of AI Tools
Technology can be your best time-saving tool! Use AI (like ChatGPT) to help draft parent emails, lesson plan templates, or even brainstorm ideas for classroom activities. Instead of spending an hour crafting the perfect email response, let AI assist you in seconds.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why the “wish list” method helps new teachers reduce stress
- Simple classroom organization tricks that save hours each week
- The top time-wasters in teaching and how to eliminate them
- How to batch-plan your lessons for maximum efficiency
- The power of a “no work” afternoon for mental well-being
Bringing It All Together
Managing your time as a new teacher isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. By implementing small shifts, like limiting emails, batch planning, and using classroom jobs, you’ll free up more time to focus on what truly matters: your students and your well-being.
Looking for more support? Join The Science of Reading Formula, where we help teachers simplify their instruction and find balance. Click here to enroll!
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