Emails. We all get them on a daily basis. Alongside the hundred other things your day is filled with as a teacher, checking emails can either fall by the wayside or end up dominating every little pocket of your day.
Here are some strategies to keeping on top of your inbox and being known as that reliable teacher who always knows what is going on in and around school, is superb at responding to emails but is rarely seen hunched over their computer all day! Want to know more? Keep reading...
Here are some strategies to keeping on top of your inbox and being known as that reliable teacher who always knows what is going on in and around school, is superb at responding to emails but is rarely seen hunched over their computer all day! Want to know more? Keep reading...
1) Start every new academic year with a clean inbox. Yes, completely clear it out. Now before you switch off and have a panic attack, I don't recommend deleting everything (as we all know, not only are teachers hoarders but we know that old emails can be crucial evidence in certain scenarios..!). I mean organising your emails into categories.
Within your inbox, simply add a new folder and call it something like "OLD EMAILS". If you want to take it a step further and be really organised, then depending on how many years you have been at the same school, go back and make folders for each academic year within that "old emails" folder. (E.G. "2008-9", "2012-13" etc). Simply select the emails from your inbox and drag them to the appropriate folders. Simples!
Within your inbox, simply add a new folder and call it something like "OLD EMAILS". If you want to take it a step further and be really organised, then depending on how many years you have been at the same school, go back and make folders for each academic year within that "old emails" folder. (E.G. "2008-9", "2012-13" etc). Simply select the emails from your inbox and drag them to the appropriate folders. Simples!
2) Limit the times you check your emails throughout the day but be sure to check them consistently. If your emails are always open while you are in the middle of a task, your brain has to keep flitting back and forth between tasks and refocusing each time. However, if you leave your email for days on end you run the risk of overload where it is almost impossible to reign it back in without serious overtime... The solution? Regular, timed intervals. For example you could check your emails 3 times a day. Once in the morning, once at lunch and once after school for about 10 minutes each time. Alternatively you could do half an hour once a day or split up more regularly during non contact time. Of course the volume of emails you receive on a daily basis will also have an effect on this too, so bear that in mind!
3) During your email checking times, respond to emails that can be done immediately right then and there to get them out of the way. For ones that might take a little longer, flag the emails and set reminders.
So there you have it, my top 3 ways you can stay on top of your emails without letting it compromise your teaching and responsibilities throughout the day - no one really wants to be checking emails at home, after all!
So there you have it, my top 3 ways you can stay on top of your emails without letting it compromise your teaching and responsibilities throughout the day - no one really wants to be checking emails at home, after all!
