#oneword2017  by Vanessa Heller  @Hell2Teach

I can choose to think of the concept of time in various ways:

• Take your time
• You’re outta time
• There’s no time like the present
• Time is on my side
• Time flies when you’re having fun
• Lost time
• Have a good time
• Be on time

Once I decided that ‘time’ would be my #oneword2017, I began to sing Pink Floyd’s Time - not a positive portrayal of time, I admit. I do run and run to catch up with the sun, but it is indeed sinking. There is never enough time - especially as a teacher and parent. Time is a teacher’s worst enemy; for those progressive educators who are hustling and bustling to create innovative and engaging curriculum and implement best practices, there is simply never enough time to do so.

But then The Rolling Stones pop in my head to tell me “Time is on my side”. A teacher’s best friend is time management. I want to accomplish so much for students and colleagues that if I do not prioritize my time and tasks properly, nothing will get accomplished well - or at all. I have a busy brain - so I take notes, jot down ideas, collaborate and commiserate with my PLC and my new PLN, and constantly create new and modify existing curricula. I manage and make time for these pursuits. I spend time on twitter talking about best practice with my PLN “tweeps” and I spend time spontaneously collaborating with colleagues at work - we run into each others’ classrooms to ask questions, to panic, to share ideas.  And I find time to read about the art and craft of teaching and leadership. Luckily sleep isn’t that important!

So for this year I will contemplate and act like time is on my side - though I acknowledge that time can be fleeting, so I will treat time well. I will be more conscious of my time and the time of others. I want to continue to teach my students well and expand my journey into #inquiry for students and colleagues. I want to read more, do more, be more. This takes time well spent.

As the Pink Floyd song goes, thought I’d something more to say…..

• Vanessa