How Do I Balance Teaching Responsibilities with Ongoing Learning?

"Hello and welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast that supports educators in becoming the very best they can be by building skills and insights one day, one lesson at a time. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re diving into an issue that just about every teacher, from the newbie to the veteran, faces: How do I balance the demands of teaching with ongoing learning?

Teaching isn’t just about showing up each day and presenting material; it’s about constant growth, adapting to new ideas, and refining your practice. But here’s the catch: with grading, lesson planning, managing the classroom, and meeting with parents, it can feel impossible to find time for your own learning. And yet, that learning—whether it’s a new teaching strategy, a fresh perspective, or an innovative technology—keeps us passionate and effective.

Show Notes

For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:

• Edutopia – Practical Tips for Teacher Growth: www.edutopia.org - Resources on professional development for teachers.
• TeachThought – Professional Growth for Teachers: Insightful articles and ideas for learning on the go.
• Mindshift – Self-Care for Teachers: Tips on managing stress and creating a balanced life.
• ASCD – Professional Learning Communities: Building networks for shared learning and support.
• The Cult of Pedagogy – Ongoing Learning Strategies: A blog and podcast with practical tips for balancing teaching and growth.

To get your free manuscript version of my latest book:

"Ready, Set, Teach!"

Go to:
                DJFessenden.com or TeachingwithValor.com 

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:09

"Welcome to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we dive into the heart of education, helping teachers, parents, and students thrive. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and if you’re passionate about making a difference in education, you’ve come to the right place. Before we jump into today’s deep dive episode, I’d like to ask for your support. If you find value in these conversations, please take a moment to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your fellow educators and parents. Your support helps us reach more people, empowering more teachers and families to navigate the challenges of education with confidence and courage. So hit that subscribe button, share this episode, and let’s continue to grow this community together." Today we’re diving into an issue that just about every teacher, from the newbie to the veteran, faces: How do I balance the demands of teaching with ongoing learning? Teaching isn’t just about showing up each day and presenting material; it’s about constant growth, adapting to new ideas, and refining your practice. But here’s the catch: with grading, lesson planning, managing the classroom, and meeting with parents, it can feel impossible to find time for your own learning. And yet, that learning—whether it’s a new teaching strategy, a fresh perspective, or an innovative technology—keeps us passionate and effective. Today, we’re going to explore how to weave learning into your teaching life without feeling overwhelmed. We’ll talk about setting realistic goals, using time efficiently, and leveraging practical strategies to blend professional development with your everyday responsibilities. And as a bonus, I’ll wrap up with a parent-focused question I often hear: How can I encourage my child’s teacher to keep growing without adding to their stress? So let’s dive right in and talk about the art and science of balancing teaching and learning." In our first segment we look at The Importance of Ongoing Learning in Teaching."Let’s start by discussing why ongoing learning is so important in teaching. After all, you’re already an educator with training, experience, and a full plate of responsibilities—so why prioritize more learning? Teaching is a profession that’s constantly evolving. New research, technology, and methodologies are always emerging, and staying up to date keeps us effective and connected to best practices. It’s also about relevance. Our students are growing up in a world that’s changing fast, and by learning new approaches, we’re better able to engage them, meet their needs, and prepare them for an uncertain future. Ongoing learning also fosters passion and prevents burnout. Sticking to the same routines year after year can feel like you are in a rut, but when we’re learning something new, it energizes us and keeps us curious. That sense of renewal and discovery can carry over to our students, too. When they see us excited about learning, it sends the message that growth is a lifelong process, something worth investing in. But the question remains: How do we make time for it all? Let’s get into some strategies for carving out time for professional development, even on a busy schedule.""First up, let’s talk about setting realistic, achievable learning goals so that ongoing development doesn’t feel like an endless task.""One of the most important steps in balancing teaching with learning is setting realistic goals for yourself. Think of it as choosing a focus area rather than trying to do everything at once. Maybe you’re interested in improving classroom management, learning more about student engagement, or mastering a specific tech tool. Narrowing it down allows you to dive deeper into one area without spreading yourself too thin. In practice, this means setting a concrete goal that’s tied to a specific outcome. For example, you might decide,‘This semester, I’m going to work on incorporating more formative assessment techniques.’ Now you have a focus, and each time you take a course, read an article, or watch a video related to assessment, it’s directly linked to something you’re actively working on in the classroom. It’s about making each learning opportunity count. One thing that can be really helpful is to schedule your learning time just like you would a meeting or class prep. Maybe it’s 20 minutes during your prep period once a week, or a half-hour block you set aside on weekends. When you treat learning as a part of your regular routine, it’s easier to make it happen consistently. And remember, learning doesn’t have to be done alone. Collaborating with colleagues who share similar goals can make the process more enjoyable and sustainable. Try setting up a weekly check-in where you and a fellow teacher discuss strategies or resources related to your shared focus. Learning becomes less of a burden when it’s something you share with others.""Once you have a learning goal in mind, the next challenge is to find learning opportunities that fit seamlessly into your busy life. Let’s talk about some practical ways to do that.""When we think of professional development, we often picture conferences or lengthy courses. But in reality, there are countless smaller, more flexible ways to learn that don’t require a huge time investment. Podcasts, like Teaching with Valor for instance, are a fantastic way to learn on the go. You can listen to an episode about effective classroom management or student engagement during your commute, while cooking, or even during a workout. Another great resource is social media. Platforms like Twitter have entire communities of educators who share strategies, resources, and inspiration. Following education-focused hashtags, like#EdChat or#TeacherLife, can bring a wealth of knowledge to your fingertips. You can pick up insights in just a few minutes a day, or even connect with teachers from around the world for fresh perspectives. If you’re more inclined toward reading, consider dedicating a few minutes each day to professional reading. This could be an educational journal, a blog post, or a chapter from a book you’ve been meaning to read. Try keeping a few go-to articles saved or a short book on your desk, so you can grab it during any free time you have. Then there’s the power of observation. If you’re working in a school with other teachers, ask if you can observe a colleague for a class period. Sometimes, seeing a different teaching style or a new way of managing activities can spark ideas you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Plus, observing in person allows you to ask questions and discuss strategies directly with someone you trust. Small moments of learning are everywhere if you’re open to them. By integrating these resources into your routine, you’re able to grow professionally without feeling like you’re adding to your workload.""With these micro-learning strategies in place, let’s look at how we can bring our learning back to the classroom and turn it into real impact.""One of the best ways to reinforce your learning is to immediately apply it. As teachers, we have a unique advantage in that we’re able to test new ideas and strategies directly in our classrooms. If you’ve just learned a new way to introduce vocabulary or a more effective method for running group discussions, try it out with your students right away. See what works, what doesn’t, and make adjustments as you go. When you apply what you’ve learned, it’s also valuable to reflect on the outcomes. You might keep a small notebook or digital log where you jot down your observations:‘Tried a new grouping strategy for peer review today. Students were more engaged, but some groups needed more structure.’ Over time, this record becomes a resource for your own growth, helping you to see patterns and refine techniques based on real-world classroom experience. You can also involve your students in the process. Let’s say you’ve learned a new way to structure project-based learning. You might explain to your students,‘We’re going to try something a little different with this project. I’m excited to see how it goes, and I’d love to hear your feedback as we work through it.’ When students see you modeling learning and openness to change, they’re more likely to adopt a similar attitude themselves. And if a strategy doesn’t go as planned? That’s okay. Not everything will work perfectly, especially the first time. But each time you try something new, even if it’s just a small tweak, you’re building your skill set and becoming a more adaptable, responsive teacher. Teaching, like learning, is an iterative process.""So, we’ve talked about setting goals, finding learning opportunities, and applying new knowledge in the classroom. Now let’s tackle one of the toughest parts: managing the inevitable stress that comes with juggling multiple responsibilities.""Balancing teaching with ongoing learning isn’t easy, and it’s natural to feel stressed or even overwhelmed. But managing that stress is key to sustaining your passion and effectiveness as a teacher. This is where self-care comes in. You’ve likely heard the term many times, but in the context of balancing work and growth, self-care isn’t just about rest; it’s about creating a routine that supports your well-being. One helpful technique is to create boundaries around your work and learning. Set specific times during the week for professional development and teaching tasks. Outside of those times, give yourself permission to unplug and recharge. Teaching is one of those careers where you can always find more to do, but if you don’t take time for yourself, you’ll quickly burn out. Another important aspect of managing stress is connecting with a support network. Find other teachers who are also focused on professional growth, whether it’s through a school-based group, an online community, or even a weekly meetup. Sharing experiences, successes, and challenges can lighten the load and remind you that you’re not alone on this journey. Finally, be gentle with yourself. Progress in both teaching and learning doesn’t happen overnight, and there will be days when you feel like you’re not doing enough. Remember that each step you take, even if it’s just ten minutes of learning or one new idea applied, is moving you forward. Celebrate those small wins because they add up to big growth over time.""As we wrap up our discussion on balancing teaching with learning, let’s move to our bonus segment, where we’ll answer a question from parents about supporting teachers on their journey of growth.""Parents often ask, How can I support my child’s teacher in their professional growth without making things harder for them? It’s a great question, and it shows that parents understand the pressures teachers are under. One way parents can support teachers’ growth is by expressing appreciation for any innovative teaching methods they notice. If your child comes home excited about a new project or shares something unique they learned, consider sending a quick note to the teacher, thanking them for trying new strategies. Positive reinforcement encourages teachers to keep learning and experimenting in their practice. Another supportive action is to respect boundaries around communication. Teachers often have very full schedules, and by keeping communications brief and clear, parents help teachers manage their time more effectively. Respecting set times for meetings or emails shows that you value their time and efforts. Finally, if you’re involved in the school community, consider supporting funding for professional development opportunities. Whether it’s through fundraisers or advocating for a budget that includes teacher training, helping to make resources available to teachers benefits everyone, especially students. Now, lets look at todays episode takeaways."Balancing teaching responsibilities with ongoing learning is no small feat, but it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of a career in education. By setting clear goals, finding manageable learning opportunities, applying new ideas in the classroom, and taking care of ourselves along the way, we’re not just growing as teachers; we’re modeling a love of learning for our students. Thank you for joining us on today’s episode of Teaching with Valor. For more resources on balancing teaching and professional development, check out the links in our episode description. Remember, growth is a journey, and each small step you take brings you closer to becoming the teacher you aspire to be. Keep learning, keep inspiring, and as always, keep teaching with valor."