5 Tips for a Productive Commute: Educator Twist

Ready to (safely) multitask during your commute? We took the usual recommendations and made them educator-friendly.

Are you stuck behind the wheel driving for what seems like forever to and from your school site? Don’t get the commuter blues. Instead, put these tips and tricks to use. You may find yourself feeling more invigorated and productive when you step out of the driver’s seat.

Listen to an educational podcast. If you’re not yet hooked on the podcast craze, now is the time. We’ve got six suggestions here that are great for educators. Pro tip: Download the segments before you leave the house while you’re on Wi-Fi so you don’t have to use data while you drive.

Participate in a pre-scheduled phone call. Do you have a teacher mentor or mentee? Maybe you have classroom parents looking to get weekly updates about their students’ progress. Whatever the case may be, use the moments you spend stuck in traffic to communicate, plan, and debrief. Pro tip: Stay safe and use hands-free technology to make your calls.

Think on. Grab a pile of sticky notes and write thought-provoking topics on each one. Then, stick them to the center of your steering wheel or center console. While you drive, reflect on the word or phrase written on the note. Maybe it’s an intention for the day or the name of a student you’ve been challenged by recently. Perhaps you write down the name of someone that inspires you. Whatever you choose, use the drive time to set the tone for your workday.

Create a to-do list. We all know the feeling: You grab a Post-it to jot down an important note, only to have it disappear or get stuck to an item that’s now sitting in the trash. Rid this terrible habit and use the notes feature on your cellphone. Even better, use voice-activated technology, perhaps Siri, to create a running to-do list. Pro tip: Start fresh each Monday. Make a new note every week, so you can copy and paste items that you were unable to complete one week, moving them to the top of list for the next.

Get the news. Tune into National Public Radio (NPR) or other news stations to make sure you’re up to date on current events. We ask that students and parents stay well-informed, but are we practicing what we preach? If not, start now!

Practice makes perfect. Are you presenting at an upcoming conference or board meeting? Use the time behind the wheel to run through the speech or presentation. Pro tip: Use a device to record yourself practicing. Then, listen back to find areas for improvement.