Add a star next to important items to show higher priority, and a deadline date if one is needed. If you keep the pad with you at all times, it's easy to jot down an unexpected task that comes your way. In each column, I list the tasks I need to complete. My list is divided into three columns for Work, House and Family.

Make two, three, or four columns on the page (depending on how many parts of your life require specific tasks). This is something I find helps keep me on top of all the different tasks I face - both personal and professional. One way to keep track of all those items is to keep a small journal or a legal-size pad with you at all times. It's no wonder that our To-Do list can pile up on us, with many items forgotten and left undone. Can you please fill out this referral packet on _? I need it by tomorrow morning.' A little later you might realize, 'We need more toilet paper at home.' Then you walk into your classroom and get ready to teach the next lesson. You might be walking down the hallway when the special education teacher stops you and says, 'Oh, good, I caught you. Our To-Do list takes up much of our time, and so often, things get added to the list at odd moments. Below are a few ideas to help you be a Task Master. Instead, strive to be the master of your own time. It's all too easy to let your tasks control you and your time. How can you manage all of those aspects of your life? That's where time management comes in. For many of you, there also will be laundry to do, meals to fix, shopping and cleaning to do, and families to care for when you get home.

At times, it might even feel as though you're drowning. There are lessons to plan, papers to be graded, classes to teach, paperwork to fill out, meetings to attend, parents to call, colleagues to conference with, students to redirect, and more. As a new teacher, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the number of activities and tasks that fill your time. The remaining hours then must be divided into work, personal time, and recreation/relaxation time. There are only 24 hours in a day, eight of which should be spent in sleep. It's something we have in limited supply.

Taskmaster tasks