Time Management for Online Teachers: Master Your Day Without Losing Your Mind
The Virtual Vibe: Success and Sanity for the Online Teacher
June 16, 2025
Teaching online means juggling meetings, grading student work, responding to never-ending emails, and—let’s be honest—managing life at home. Time management in the virtual world isn’t optional; it’s essential. Here are four time-tested strategies to help you stay on top of it all.
The Pomodoro Technique: Focused Sprints, Not Marathons
This method is perfect for those of us who can’t sit still for long. The Pomodoro Technique involves working in focused 25-minute intervals, followed by a 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer 20-minute break. It helps you maintain energy without burning out.
Pro Tip: Use a timer or app so you’re not constantly checking the clock. Use your 5-minute breaks to grab a snack, scroll social media, or give your cat some extra love. No judgment here.
Eat the Frog: Tackle the Hardest Task First
This technique comes from Mark Twain’s famous quote: “If the first thing you do in the morning is eat a frog, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is probably the worst thing you will do all day.” For teachers, that means tackling your toughest task—grading, planning, or something else—first thing. There’s always that one assignment we dread grading and save until the end. Tackle that one first and get it out of the way. Eat the frog and wash it down with a nice steamy cup of coffee.
Pro Tip: Starting with the hardest tasks makes the rest of your day feel easier. Plus, the early sense of accomplishment fuels your motivation.
Time Blocking: Carve Out Specific Focus Periods
Time blocking means assigning specific chunks of your day to dedicated tasks like grading, lesson planning, or answering emails. This helps you focus on one thing at a time while avoiding the chaos of multitasking. During this time, turn off all the ringers and dingers that cause distractions. Think of it as protected time. Only that one task gets your attention. Jumping from one thing to another defeats the purpose of time blocking.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to schedule buffer time between blocks of time for unexpected interruptions. When you work from home, interruptions are guaranteed.
Make a List and Get Moving
Sometimes your schedule can feel so full you don’t even know where to start. The answer? Just start. Create a list at the beginning of the day with the frogs on top. Pick one thing, cross it off, and move on to the next. Try not to focus on the number of tasks but on the small wins of checking things off one by one. It’s easy to get caught up in “must-do” tasks that aren’t urgent, but prioritizing effectively makes all the difference.
And here’s the reality: There will always be more to do. Striving for a moment where everything is finally “done” is a recipe for burnout. There will always be more papers to grade, emails to respond to, lessons to design, phone calls to make, and professional development to complete. If you make it your goal to finish everything before you shut your laptop for the day, you’ll drive yourself mad. Instead, define your “done” by what matters most for that day—and then allow yourself to log off with peace of mind.
Pro Tip: Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress. Getting a few key tasks done well is better than feeling overwhelmed by trying to do everything.
Pause, Ponder & Progress
How can I use the Pomodoro Technique to maintain my focus and energy during work sessions?
What’s the “frog” task I’ve been avoiding that I can tackle first thing tomorrow?
How might time blocking improve my daily workflow and reduce multitasking?
How can I redefine what “done” looks like each day so I can end work feeling satisfied—not drained?
About the Author
With over 20 years in education - most of them spent in the virtual trenches - Desire’ Mosser has done more than survive online teaching; she’s helped others thrive in it! As the author of SOS: Strategies for Online Survival, she dishes out practical tools, honest lessons, and just the right amount of humor to keep educators going.
Former Pasco eSchool Teacher of the Year and Florida Virtual Schools Mentor of the Year, she continues to champion excellence in virtual learning today. She currently serves as Vice President of B.O.L.D. (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). Her passion? Coaching educators to find their stride, build meaningful connections with students and families, and master the art of scheduling for sanity—preferably with a strong cup of coffee in hand. For more real talk, useful tips, and the occasional caffeine-fueled confession, connect with her on LinkedIn.
