Time Management

This blog post comes from CERRA Program Facilitator, Virginia Bartels.  Virginia is a renewed NBCT who serves as a statewide candidate support specialist.  

In working with National Board candidates across the state, I often hear how concerned they are about time management.  Teachers’ lives are so busy, and finding two to three hundred hours of time to meet the portfolio deadline of May 16, 2014, can seem overwhelming.

Here are ten tips that might be helpful:

• Take time to study and process the portfolio instructions for your certification area.  Don’t try to start making decisions and selections until you are thoroughly familiar with the directions.This time invested up front will prevent your having to re-do sections of the portfolio.
•  Mark NB deadlines on your calendar:  December 31 for application; January 31 for eligibility prerequisite forms; May 16 for portfolio submission; June 15—assessment center.  Customize a timeline to fit your schedule.  Try to meet deadlines at least two weeks beforehand.  Then if you have something that interferes with your schedule (ex. illness, technological difficulties, etc.), you have some time to spare.
•  Use your calendar to designate chunks of time for NB work throughout the upcoming months: certain weekday mornings or afternoons to consult with NBCTs or fellow NB candidates; CERRA webinars and/or workshops; school holidays; weekend time.
• Decide which is better for you:  working on one entry almost through completion before beginning the next, or working on all four portfolio entries simultaneously.  Neither method is proven to be better than the other; the choice is up to you.
• Set mini goals.  The analogy I like to use is this:  A giant tree is not chopped down with one swing of the ax; the big task is completed with many swings of the ax.  NB is a giant goal; “chop away” at this monumental task by completing one little detail after the other.
•  Make to-do lists to serve as reminders and goals.  Checking items off as they are completed helps you keep on task and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
•  Create folders (electronic and hard copies) and keep duplicate files on data storage devices.  Organize your work into easily accessible files.  Save your work often. 
• Reduce other time-absorbing duties.  Explain to your colleagues and administrators that during this intense process, you might need to say “no” to additional tasks until your NB work is submitted.  Delegate household chores to other family members.  Be less of a perfectionist about some tasks, such as cooking and cleaning.
• Ask for help.  Sometimes hours can be spent as you try to solve a problem, find a resource, learn new technology, interpret NB instructions.  Ask others for their insight and assistance.
• Try to take good care of yourself by eating healthily, getting adequate sleep, and reducing your stress.   If you feel good, you will be more productive.