When you see something that appears black and white, you have a million ideas for ways you can give it color and expression.
You look at obstacles that appear two dimensional and can instantly see multiple solutions.
You add your own unique touch to everything - your classroom, your instruction, student engagement.
Your teammates and colleagues look to you for classroom design ideas, inspiration for activities and stations, and quite possibly glorious handwriting - hello beautiful anchor charts!
Sometimes you wonder if your creative expression needs to be put on the back burner for the sake of your own time management. Because let’s be honest, you don’t have an endless amount of time to focus on creating engaging lessons or designing projects.
Someone’s gotta do the grading and the emailing and attend those staff meetings.
In moments like these, remember this:
Your creativity is an asset. And you don’t have to sacrifice it on the altar of productivity. Use it strategically to help you solve complex problems and find solutions.
Look for opportunities to express your creativity - whether that's in a kindergarten classroom or teaching algebra. Have intentional conversations with an instructional coach about your strengths and ask about opportunities to express them.
HOLD ON THERE, does this sound like you? If not, hop on over here to see the other results. This quiz isn’t exactly a mind reader so if we got it wrong - my apologies.
Hi, I'm Grace.
I'm an elementary school teacher turned productivity coach and podcaster for teachers. I'm also a toddler momma, bookworm, and coffee enthusiast.
In my 4th year of teaching, I realized that I needed to restructure my life if I didn't want to burn out. I was pregnant with my first baby, working 60 hour weeks, and still felt like I wasn’t doing enough.
I ingested all the books and podcasts that promised they could help me become the mom and the teacher that I wanted to be. I ultimately discovered that productivity needed to be personal. My work habits needed to be tailored to my personality, my values, and my strengths in order for them to stick. When I rewired my systems and routines to reflect this framework, I not only got more done but I also became more confident in my teaching.
Now I help teachers like you utilize their strengths and expertise as productivity tools so they can get more done while feeling more confident.
WANNA LEARN MORE ABOUT CREATIVE LUMINARIES?
When you’re struggling to stay motivated, consider these questions:
❖ What tasks are stealing your creative energy? What tasks stimulate your creative energy?
❖ Are you clear about the amount of time that the tasks that are stealing your creative energy should require? Who can you ask to clarify this?
❖ How could you simplify these tasks and minimize the amount of time you are spending on them so you can put more time into the things that matter? Get creative with this :)
RESOURCES FOR CREATIVE LUMINARIES
Self Care Planner
Create mental and emotional boundaries
Strategize ways to advocate for yourself
Collaborate with other teachers
Productivity Guide
Tips and tricks for time management during lesson planning, grading, and communication
Create strategic systems and routines
