Today’s installment in our 20 Tips for Educators Series is “Make Smart Use of Your Calendar.” Smart use of one’s calendar is strategic and wellness-centered practice. In today’s educational landscape, time is scarce and sacred. Educators must protect their energy and find ways to prioritize what matters most. It is important to understand that a calendar is more than a place to keep track of appointments and deadlines. A calendar is about values, boundaries, ad sustainability.
Explore the Meaning
Smart calendar use means time and mission are aligned. It means choosing what gets space, what gets protected at all costs, and what gets postponed. Smart calendar usage is connected to pedagogy. When looking at culturally responsive teaching, smart calendar use honor’s the lived experience of educators by making sure time is set aside for them to show up fully at the right places. Narrative pedagogy mans that educators treat their calendars as storytelling tools. Each block of time is a reflection of a chapter in the educators journey. With trauma-informed care, calendars can build predictability and reduce feelings of overwhelm for educators and students.
Classroom Applications
The following are some tips educators can implement for smart calendar usage:
- Color code calendar blocks to make it easy to identify things like planning, teaching, reflection, and rest at a glance.
- Schedule “non-negotiables” like prep time, student check-ins, administrative deadlines, and rest. Then, treat these things like doctor’s appointments – things that you stick to no matter what.
- Recurring rituals – like morning affirmations, weekly reflective journaling, and mindfulness must be added to your calendar so they are not forgotten.
It is important to be reflective when deciding what will and will not be included in your calendar. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How does my calendar align with my priorities?
- Have I scheduled time joy, rest, and creativity?
- What boundaries have I established to protect my educational energy
Real World Impact
There are several ways the smart use of calendars ca show up in the real world. It can be teachers reclaiming their lunch breaks by blocking of that time for eating and relaxation instead of working through lunch. Smart calendar use can look like a consultant using her calendar to track equity-focused work and look for deeper client engagement opportunities. It may be students who feel more supported because their teachers consistently honor them with one-on-one instruction time.
Impact
When educators are smart with their calendar usage, they are able to build trust and predictability. They will reduce burnout and decision fatigue. Finally, they will model smart calendar usage and self-respect for their students and their peers.
Conclusion
It is important for educators to recognize that calendars are more than tools for keeping their schedules. When done properly, calendars are mirrors. With them educators can see what they value and spend their time accordingly. When calendars are done in a smart way, they help educators create educational practices that are reflective of car, clarity, and courage. Take time now to use this tip in ways that resonate in your life. Share your ideas for smart calendar usage with fellow educators. Remember, your calendar tells a story, so make it one worth reading.
Further Reading
20 Tips for Educators: A Powerful and Informative Series
Unlock Your Doctoral Success: Coaching & Resources That Work
Unleash the Fire Within: Maya Angelou’s Lifegiving Wisdom for Educators
About the Author
Dr. Janeane Davis is Founder and Principal Consultant at Janeane Davis and Associates: Educational Consultants. Her work is rooted in practical wisdom and strategic clarity—offering educators tools that honor both their brilliance and their bandwidth. She writes to make systems feel human and tips feel like rituals worth keeping.
One desk. Many drafts. Always refining.