Mastering Prioritization with the Eisenhower Matrix

"Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we explore the strategies and insights every educator needs to thrive in the classroom and beyond. I’m your host, Don J. Fessenden, a lifelong educator and proud veteran. Today, we’re diving into a powerful framework that can change how you approach your ever-growing to-do list. It’s called the Eisenhower Matrix, and by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to use it to prioritize your tasks, reduce stress, and reclaim your time."

"So here’s my challenge to you: Spend the next week using the Eisenhower Matrix. Start every morning by reviewing your tasks and categorizing them into the four quadrants. At the end of the week, reflect on how this approach impacted your productivity and stress levels.
And I’d love to hear about your experience. Drop me a message or tag Teaching with Valor on social media to share how the Eisenhower Matrix is working for you. Together, let’s make teaching a little more manageable and a lot more meaningful."

TeachingwithValor.com

DJFessenden.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 the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we explore the strategies and insights every educator needs to thrive in the classroom and beyond. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, a lifelong educator and proud veteran. Today, we’re diving into a powerful framework that can change how you approach your ever-growing to-do list. It’s called the Eisenhower Matrix, and by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to use it to prioritize your tasks, reduce stress, and reclaim your time." The Daily Struggle of Prioritizing:"Every teacher knows what it’s like to face a mountain of tasks. Planning lessons, grading papers, answering emails, attending meetings—the list never ends. Some days, it feels like everything is urgent, and there just aren’t enough hours to get it all done. But here’s the secret: Not everything on your list deserves the same level of attention. Enter the Eisenhower Matrix, a decision-making tool inspired by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Known for his exceptional ability to prioritize during his time as a five-star general and later as president, Eisenhower developed a system to determine what truly mattered. His philosophy was simple: What is urgent is seldom important, and what is important is seldom urgent." What is the Eisenhower Matrix?"Picture a square divided into four equal sections, forming a grid. Across the top, you have two categories: Urgent and Not Urgent. Down the side, you have two more: Important and Not Important. These create four quadrants where every task you face can be placed. The first quadrant is for tasks that are both urgent and important—things that need to be done immediately, like prepping for a class observation tomorrow or responding to a student crisis. The second quadrant is for important but not urgent tasks, like planning next month’s unit or attending professional development. These are the tasks that often get pushed aside but have long-term value. The third quadrant is for urgent but not important tasks—like answering that email about the school bake sale or rushing to make copies for a meeting someone else could lead. And finally, the fourth quadrant is for tasks that are neither urgent nor important, like scrolling through social media during your planning period or spending too much time choosing a font for your slides. By categorizing tasks into these four quadrants, you gain clarity on where to focus your energy and where to cut back." The Power of Quadrant Two:"Now, let’s talk about where the magic happens: Quadrant Two. These are the important but not urgent tasks, the ones that often fall through the cracks because there’s no immediate deadline. But this quadrant is where your growth as a teacher—and as a person: truly happens. Think about activities like creating engaging, student-centered lessons, collaborating with colleagues to improve instruction, or even investing in your own professional development. These are the tasks that move the needle in the long run, yet they’re so easily sacrificed for the fires we’re always putting out. By prioritizing Quadrant Two, you’re not just reacting to what’s in front of you—you’re proactively building a better future for yourself and your students. It’s like planting seeds for a garden. You may not see the results right away, but the effort pays off over time." How to Use the Matrix in Your Day-to-Day Life:"Let’s put this into practice. Start by taking a few minutes to brain-dump everything you need to do. Get it all out: big tasks, small ones, personal errands, school deadlines. Once you have your list, assign each item to one of the four quadrants. Be honest with yourself about what truly matters. When you’ve categorized your tasks, it’s time to act. For Quadrant One tasks: urgent and important: tackle them immediately. These are your top priorities. For Quadrant Two tasks, schedule time on your calendar to focus on them. Treat this time as sacred; don’t let less important tasks steal it. For Quadrant Three tasks, delegate them if possible. Can a student helper or a colleague take this off your plate? And for Quadrant Four, eliminate them. If it’s not serving you or your students, let it go." A Classroom Example:"Let’s imagine you’re a high school English teacher preparing for a busy week. You’ve just received an email that the principal wants lesson plans for the next two weeks by tomorrow: definitely a Quadrant One task. You also know that your students are struggling with a writing skill, and you’ve been meaning to design a targeted mini-lesson to address it. That’s a Quadrant Two task, important but not urgent. Meanwhile, your department chair is asking for volunteers to help plan an upcoming assembly. That’s likely a Quadrant Three task: it’s urgent, but it’s not directly tied to your teaching goals. Finally, you find yourself tempted to spend half an hour scrolling Pinterest for classroom decor ideas: classic Quadrant Four." The Impact on Your Teaching and Life:"Using the Eisenhower Matrix doesn’t just help you manage your time; it helps you manage your energy. It shifts your mindset from‘How can I get everything done?’ to‘What truly needs my attention?’ This clarity reduces stress, boosts productivity, and ultimately makes you a more effective teacher. And the benefits extend beyond the classroom. By focusing on what matters most, you create space for personal growth, relationships, and self-care. You’re not just surviving the school year: you’re thriving." Final Challenge and Call to Action:"So here’s my challenge to you: Spend the next week using the Eisenhower Matrix. Start every morning by reviewing your tasks and categorizing them into the four quadrants. At the end of the week, reflect on how this approach impacted your productivity and stress levels. And I’d love to hear about your experience. Drop me a message or tag Teaching with Valor on social media to share how the Eisenhower Matrix is working for you. Together, let’s make teaching a little more manageable and a lot more meaningful.""Thanks for joining me today on the Teaching with Valor Podcast. If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to share it with a fellow educator and leave us a review. Remember, great teaching starts with great planning—and great planning starts with prioritization. Until next time, keep teaching with valor."