September: 

The first month of school has been both exciting and challenging, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my goal for the year: “Identify the leader’s use of time as urgent and/or important.” I knew this would be important for me, especially as the school year kicks off with so many tasks to handle. I started the month by reflecting on how I’ve been managing my time and quickly realized that I often feel scattered, jumping from one thing to the next without taking enough time to prioritize what truly needs my attention. Or maybe it's just how I felt last year? 

In the first week, I began by making a list of all my responsibilities, from daily tasks like overseeing student safety to bigger projects like supporting teachers with professional development. It became clear to me that I’ve been spending a lot of time on things that might not have been as urgent or important as I thought. For example, I was caught up in answering emails and attending meetings that didn’t directly support student learning or teacher growth. I realized that I need to be more intentional about what I say yes to and make sure my time is used wisely. I have a Time Use Project coming up for my UCLA class, so being attentive to this work now will help me later on. 

To get a better handle on this, I started using a simple system to categorize my tasks into urgent, important, and less important. Each morning, I spend a few minutes reviewing my to-do list and deciding what needs my attention right away and what can wait. I’ve also begun to use a time-blocking method to set aside specific times for different tasks. This has helped me create more structure in my day and reduce distractions.

One of the biggest challenges has been learning to say no or delegate tasks that don’t align with my top priorities. There have been times when I’ve had to turn down requests or hand off duties to others, but I’ve noticed that this is helping me stay focused on what matters most. It’s also empowering my team to take on more responsibility, which I think is important for our collective growth.

October:

This month, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of modeling time managemtn for my team. As a leader, I want to show my staff how to balance urgent and important tasks, and I’ve started having conversations with them about time management during staff meetings. I shared some of the strategies I’ve been using and encouraged them to think about how they’re managing their time in the office and classroom. The feedback has been positive, and it’s clear that they’re also grappling with similar challenges. It feels good to be transparent with them about my own learning process.

Throughout the month, I’ve noticed that when I focus on my highest priorities first, my days feel more productive and less overwhelming. I’ve been able to spend more time supporting teachers in meaningful ways and making decisions that directly impact student achievement. For instance, when I dedicate time to conducting classroom observations and providing timely feedback, it has a much greater effect than when I’m simply putting out small fires throughout the day.

I’ve also made sure to set aside time for self-care, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past. I’ve realized that if I don’t take care of myself, I can’t be effective in supporting others. This month, I’ve been more intentional about leaving school at a reasonable hour and taking short breaks to recharge during the day.

Looking back from when I started in September, I feel like I’ve made good progress, but I still have work to do. I’m learning how to make better choices about where I spend my time and how to stay focused on the bigger picture. I know that this goal will continue to challenge me throughout the year, but I’m excited to keep improving my time management skills. The more I work on this, the more I see how it leads to better decision-making, stronger leadership, and a more organized school environment. I’m optimistic about the months ahead and confident that this goal will help me grow both as a leader and as a person.

November:

November has been a month of growth and reflection, especially in terms of my goal to identify and analyze how I use my time and prioritize tasks. Looking back, I realize just how much I’ve learned, not only from my own experiences but also from watching our new principal, Ms. Norma, in action. She has been an absolute game-changer in how I think about managing time and responsibilities, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her.

One of the things I admire most about Ms. Norma is how she handles delegation. From the moment she started, she’s been incredibly effective at distributing tasks in a way that empowers everyone on the leadership team, including me. She knows how to balance the urgent tasks with the important ones, and her ability to delegate has freed up time for everyone to focus on what they do best. Watching her delegate with such confidence has made me realize that I don’t need to do everything myself. There’s strength in sharing the load and trusting others to step up.

For example, when we were planning for a school-wide event in early November, Ms. Norma didn’t hesitate to assign different tasks to staff members based on their strengths. She trusted me with overseeing the logistics, while others focused on communication, decorations, and student involvement. This division of labor allowed us to complete everything efficiently and without feeling overwhelmed. It was such a relief to see that when you trust your team and give them clear responsibilities, things can run smoothly.

Ms. Norma’s approach to managing time has been equally inspiring. She’s extremely intentional about how she spends her time, always aligning her actions with the school’s long-term goals. I’ve noticed that she is very thoughtful about when and how she tackles tasks. For example, she’s started scheduling “focus time” in her calendar for strategic thinking and planning, which has really influenced how I organize my own day. She’ll often block off time in the morning to handle important meetings and leave afternoons for less urgent tasks. She is also very conscious about protecting time for reflection and checking in with the leadership team, which I see as a model for balancing both the immediate needs of the school and our long-term vision.

Another thing I’ve picked up from her is the importance of saying no or not yet when something doesn’t align with your highest priorities. There have been moments when I’ve felt the pressure to take on additional responsibilities, but I’ve learned from Ms. Norma that it’s okay to push back and ask, “How does this fit into our bigger goals?” I’ve been getting better at making time for what truly matters and respectfully declining tasks that aren’t urgent or important right now. This is definitely something I’m still working on, but seeing how confidently she does it has been a huge influence.

Over the last month, I’ve felt more empowered in my own role. With Ms. Norma’s guidance, I’ve been able to step up and take on more leadership tasks while feeling less overwhelmed. I’ve also become more strategic in how I manage my time. I’ve started using a tool to track my daily tasks and reflect on how I spend my time each week, and I’ve noticed I’m getting better at balancing urgent needs with my long-term goals.

As we approach the end of the semester, I feel much more confident in my ability to manage time and tasks effectively, thanks to the example Ms. Norma has set. Her leadership has shown me that great time management isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things at the right time and trusting others to contribute to the overall mission. I’m grateful for her mentorship and excited to continue learning from her in the months ahead.

November has truly been a month of growth, and I’m looking forward to applying these new strategies as we move into the second half of the school year.

December:

As December wraps up, I’ve noticed significant progress in my ability to manage my time effectively. I’ve been more intentional about identifying which tasks are truly urgent and which are simply important, helping me stay focused on what really matters. This month, I’ve been using time-blocking to organize my day and ensure that I’m prioritizing key activities, like supporting teachers and monitoring student progress.

I’ve also gotten better at saying no to tasks that don’t align with my main priorities. It’s been freeing to let go of smaller, less critical tasks and focus on the big-picture items that will drive the school forward. Delegating has also become easier, and I’ve found that when I share responsibilities with others, we accomplish more without anyone feeling overwhelmed.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this month is that time management is not just about efficiency, but about making sure I’m working toward the school’s long-term goals. I’ve been more focused on strategic planning and reflecting on how my time is contributing to our overall mission. By tracking how I spend my days, I can make adjustments and stay on course.

Looking ahead to the new year, I feel more confident in my ability to lead with intention and manage my responsibilities without getting lost in the weeds. It’s been a rewarding month, and I’m excited to continue improving in the months ahead.

January:

As we enter the new year, I’m feeling a sense of calm that wasn’t there earlier in the school year. All the work we’ve put in so far. Improving time management, setting clear priorities, and delegating tasks has really paid off. I’m finding that I have more time to focus on the things that matter most, and that’s been a huge relief. It’s like the frantic pace of the first few months has settled into a smoother rhythm.

One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is that I’m no longer as overwhelmed by the constant stream of tasks. By staying focused on what’s urgent and important, I’ve been able to create more space in my schedule for things like supporting teachers and students in more meaningful ways. This has also allowed me to take on a new responsibility: I’m now working with two groups of 4th and 5th graders who will be taking the ELPAC in March. Starting January 14, I’ll be providing test prep for these students twice a week.

It feels good to take on this role because I know that the time I’ve spent organizing and prioritizing my tasks has freed me up to focus on this important work. I’m excited to help these students prepare for the test and feel confident that this time spent with them will make a difference. Looking back, I can see how all the changes I’ve made to manage my time more effectively have set me up for success this year. It’s a great feeling to start the new year knowing that I’m not just managing the demands of my role, but also taking on new challenges with a clear sense of purpose.

February:

This month I started paying closer attention to how I spend my time. I looked at my calendar every Friday and thought about which tasks were urgent and which were important. I realized I was spending too much time on things that didn’t really need me. I started blocking out time for classroom visits and quick teacher check-ins. That helped me feel more connected to what’s happening in classrooms. I also started using different colors in my calendar to track how I’m using my time. I still get pulled into little things, but I’m trying to stay focused. I’ve noticed I’m getting more done and feel less rushed. I know it’s just the beginning, but it feels good to take control of my schedule.

March:

Testing season has started with the ELPAC, so it’s been busy. There are a lot of last-minute things that come up, but I’ve tried to keep my focus on what’s most important. I made a list of top priorities each morning and stuck to it as much as I could. Some days it worked well, other days I had to respond to urgent testing needs. I did better at saying no to things that could wait. I’ve been reminding myself to step back and ask, “Does this really need me now?” That’s helped. I made sure to still do walkthroughs even with testing going on. I don’t want instruction to lose focus. I’ve also been helping the testing coordinator problem-solve quickly, so things run smoother. It’s been a lot, but I feel like I’m handling it better than last year.

April:

April has been full with more ELPAC testing and getting ready for SBAC and CAST. It’s easy to feel pulled in every direction. I made a habit of reviewing my calendar each Sunday night and locking in time for what matters most. I kept time for supporting teachers and checking on students during RTI. I had to move some things around, but I didn’t cancel the important stuff. I feel more confident knowing where my time is going. I helped with a few urgent SBAC planning issues, but I didn’t let them take over my whole day. I’m starting to see how much better things go when I plan ahead. Some teachers even told me they appreciate that I’m staying consistent with classroom visits. That made me feel like I’m doing the right thing. I want to finish the year strong and keep this focus going.

May:

May has been one of the busiest months. SBAC and CAST are in full swing, and there’s always something urgent. I tried hard to keep time set aside for end-of-year planning and teacher support. Some days, everything felt urgent. But I stayed calm and kept going back to my priorities list. I’m proud that I didn’t let testing take over every part of my day. I still met with a few teachers to reflect on their progress and give feedback. I also started preparing notes for next year, thinking about how to improve my schedule even more. I’ve learned that being clear about what’s urgent and what’s important really does help. I feel more in control and less reactive. I’m tired, but I also feel like I’ve grown a lot. I want to keep using what I learned this year to be even better next year.

June: 

In June, things move fast at school. It’s the last month of the year, so a lot needs to get done in a short amount of time. I really tried to stick to my goal of focusing on what was urgent and important. There were lots of little things that came up, but I kept asking myself, “Does this really need my attention right now?” That helped me stay focused. I made sure to spend time on tasks that would support teachers with end-of-year work, help with student events, and get things ready for summer and the new school year.

I also tried to be more mindful of how I used my time. I kept my calendar tight and didn’t take on things that could be handled by someone else. I checked in more often with teachers and staff, and stayed close to students during busy parts of the day like lunch and dismissal. I wanted to be present where it mattered most. Even with so much going on, I felt more clear about what needed to get done. That helped me feel less stressed. I think this goal really helped me stay on track and finish the year strong. My principal has been great at also keeping me in the loop about what's urgent and what can wait.