How Do I Balance Teaching Responsibilities with Ongoing Learning?

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"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!

Episode Transcript

Don (00:09):
"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 ineducation, you’ve come to the
right place.
Before we jump into today’s deepdive episode, I’d like to ask

(00:30):
for your support.
If you find value in theseconversations, please take a
moment to like, subscribe, andshare this podcast with your
fellow educators and parents.
Your support helps us reach morepeople, empowering more teachers
and families to navigate thechallenges of education with
confidence and courage.
So hit that subscribe button,share this episode, and let’s

(00:54):
continue to grow this communitytogether." Today we’re diving
into an issue that just aboutevery teacher, from the newbie

to the veteran, faces (01:01):
How do I balance the demands of teaching
with ongoing learning?
Teaching isn’t just aboutshowing up each day and
presenting material; it’s aboutconstant growth, adapting to new
ideas, and refining yourpractice.

But here’s the catch (01:18):
with grading, lesson planning,
managing the classroom, andmeeting with parents, it can
feel impossible to find time foryour own learning.
And yet, that learning—whetherit’s a new teaching strategy, a
fresh perspective, or aninnovative technology—keeps us
passionate and effective.
Today, we’re going to explorehow to weave learning into your

(01:40):
teaching life without feelingoverwhelmed.
We’ll talk about settingrealistic goals, using time
efficiently, and leveragingpractical strategies to blend
professional development withyour everyday responsibilities.
And as a bonus, I’ll wrap upwith a parent-focused question I

often hear (01:58):
How can I encourage my child’s teacher to keep
growing without adding to theirstress?
So let’s dive right in and talkabout the art and science of
balancing teaching andlearning." In our first segment
we look at The Importance ofOngoing Learning in Teaching.
"Let’s start by discussing whyongoing learning is so important

(02:19):
in teaching.
After all, you’re already aneducator with training,
experience, and a full plate ofresponsibilities—so why
prioritize more learning?
Teaching is a profession that’sconstantly evolving.
New research, technology, andmethodologies are always
emerging, and staying up to datekeeps us effective and connected

(02:41):
to best practices.
It’s also about relevance.
Our students are growing up in aworld that’s changing fast, and
by learning new approaches,we’re better able to engage
them, meet their needs, andprepare them for an uncertain
future.
Ongoing learning also fosterspassion and prevents burnout.
Sticking to the same routinesyear after year can feel like

(03:04):
you are in a rut, but when we’relearning something new, it
energizes us and keeps uscurious.
That sense of renewal anddiscovery can carry over to our
students, too.
When they see us excited aboutlearning, it sends the message
that growth is a lifelongprocess, something worth
investing in.

But the question remains (03:24):
How do we make time for it all?
Let’s get into some strategiesfor carving out time for
professional development, evenon a busy schedule.""First up,
let’s talk about settingrealistic, achievable learning
goals so that ongoingdevelopment doesn’t feel like an
endless task.""One of the mostimportant steps in balancing

(03:47):
teaching with learning issetting realistic goals for
yourself.
Think of it as choosing a focusarea rather than trying to do
everything at once.
Maybe you’re interested inimproving classroom management,
learning more about studentengagement, or mastering a
specific tech tool.
Narrowing it down allows you todive deeper into one area

(04:09):
without spreading yourself toothin.
In practice, this means settinga concrete goal that’s tied to a
specific outcome.
For example, you might decide,‘This semester, I’m going to
work on incorporating moreformative assessment
techniques.’ Now you have afocus, and each time you take a
course, read an article, orwatch a video related to

(04:31):
assessment, it’s directly linkedto something you’re actively
working on in the classroom.
It’s about making each learningopportunity count.
One thing that can be reallyhelpful is to schedule your
learning time just like youwould a meeting or class prep.
Maybe it’s 20 minutes duringyour prep period once a week, or
a half-hour block you set asideon weekends.

(04:54):
When you treat learning as apart of your regular routine,
it’s easier to make it happenconsistently.
And remember, learning doesn’thave to be done alone.
Collaborating with colleagueswho share similar goals can make
the process more enjoyable andsustainable.
Try setting up a weekly check-inwhere you and a fellow teacher

(05:14):
discuss strategies or resourcesrelated to your shared focus.
Learning becomes less of aburden when it’s something you
share with others.""Once youhave a learning goal in mind,
the next challenge is to findlearning opportunities that fit
seamlessly into your busy life.
Let’s talk about some practicalways to do that.""When we think

(05:37):
of professional development, weoften picture conferences or
lengthy courses.
But in reality, there arecountless smaller, more flexible
ways to learn that don’t requirea huge time investment.
Podcasts, like Teaching withValor for instance, are a
fantastic way to learn on thego.
You can listen to an episodeabout effective classroom

(05:59):
management or student engagementduring your commute, while
cooking, or even during aworkout.
Another great resource is socialmedia.
Platforms like Twitter haveentire communities of educators
who share strategies, resources,and inspiration.
Following education-focusedhashtags, like#EdChat or

(06:20):
#TeacherLife, can bring a wealthof knowledge to your fingertips.
You can pick up insights in justa few minutes a day, or even
connect with teachers fromaround the world for fresh
perspectives.
If you’re more inclined towardreading, consider dedicating a
few minutes each day toprofessional reading.
This could be an educationaljournal, a blog post, or a

(06:43):
chapter from a book you’ve beenmeaning to read.
Try keeping a few go-to articlessaved or a short book on your
desk, so you can grab it duringany free time you have.
Then there’s the power ofobservation.
If you’re working in a schoolwith other teachers, ask if you
can observe a colleague for aclass period.

(07:03):
Sometimes, seeing a differentteaching style or a new way of
managing activities can sparkideas you wouldn’t have thought
of otherwise.
Plus, observing in person allowsyou to ask questions and discuss
strategies directly with someoneyou trust.
Small moments of learning areeverywhere if you’re open to
them.

(07:23):
By integrating these resourcesinto your routine, you’re able
to grow professionally withoutfeeling like you’re adding to
your workload.""With thesemicro-learning strategies in
place, let’s look at how we canbring our learning back to the
classroom and turn it into realimpact.""One of the best ways to
reinforce your learning is toimmediately apply it.

(07:47):
As teachers, we have a uniqueadvantage in that we’re able to
test new ideas and strategiesdirectly in our classrooms.
If you’ve just learned a new wayto introduce vocabulary or a
more effective method forrunning group discussions, try
it out with your students rightaway.
See what works, what doesn’t,and make adjustments as you go.

(08:08):
When you apply what you’velearned, it’s also valuable to
reflect on the outcomes.
You might keep a small notebookor digital log where you jot
down your observations:‘Tried anew grouping strategy for peer
review today.
Students were more engaged, butsome groups needed more
structure.’ Over time, thisrecord becomes a resource for

(08:30):
your own growth, helping you tosee patterns and refine
techniques based on real-worldclassroom experience.
You can also involve yourstudents in the process.
Let’s say you’ve learned a newway to structure project-based
learning.
You might explain to yourstudents,‘We’re going to try
something a little differentwith this project.

(08:51):
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 asplanned?
That’s okay.
Not everything will workperfectly, especially the first

(09:11):
time.
But each time you try somethingnew, even if it’s just a small
tweak, you’re building yourskill set and becoming a more
adaptable, responsive teacher.
Teaching, like learning, is aniterative process.""So, we’ve
talked about setting goals,finding learning opportunities,
and applying new knowledge inthe classroom.

(09:34):
Now let’s tackle one of thetoughest parts: managing the
inevitable stress that comeswith juggling multiple
responsibilities.""Balancingteaching with ongoing learning
isn’t easy, and it’s natural tofeel stressed or even
overwhelmed.
But managing that stress is keyto sustaining your passion and
effectiveness as a teacher.

(09:55):
This is where self-care comesin.
You’ve likely heard the termmany times, but in the context
of balancing work and growth,self-care isn’t just about rest;
it’s about creating a routinethat supports your well-being.
One helpful technique is tocreate boundaries around your
work and learning.
Set specific times during theweek for professional

(10:18):
development and teaching tasks.
Outside of those times, giveyourself permission to unplug
and recharge.
Teaching is one of those careerswhere you can always find more
to do, but if you don’t taketime for yourself, you’ll
quickly burn out.
Another important aspect ofmanaging stress is connecting
with a support network.

(10:40):
Find other teachers who are alsofocused on professional growth,
whether it’s through aschool-based group, an online
community, or even a weeklymeetup.
Sharing experiences, successes,and challenges can lighten the
load and remind you that you’renot alone on this journey.
Finally, be gentle withyourself.

(11:00):
Progress in both teaching andlearning doesn’t happen
overnight, and there will bedays when you feel like you’re
not doing enough.
Remember that each step youtake, even if it’s just ten
minutes of learning or one newidea applied, is moving you
forward.
Celebrate those small winsbecause they add up to big
growth over time.""As we wrap upour discussion on balancing

(11:27):
teaching with learning, let’smove to our bonus segment, where
we’ll answer a question fromparents about supporting
teachers on their journey ofgrowth.""Parents often ask, How
can I support my child’s teacherin their professional growth
without making things harder forthem?
It’s a great question, and itshows that parents understand

(11:49):
the pressures teachers areunder.
One way parents can supportteachers’ growth is by
expressing appreciation for anyinnovative teaching methods they
notice.
If your child comes home excitedabout a new project or shares
something unique they learned,consider sending a quick note to
the teacher, thanking them fortrying new strategies.

(12:11):
Positive reinforcementencourages teachers to keep
learning and experimenting intheir practice.
Another supportive action is torespect boundaries around
communication.
Teachers often have very fullschedules, and by keeping
communications brief and clear,parents help teachers manage
their time more effectively.

(12:31):
Respecting set times formeetings or emails shows that
you value their time andefforts.
Finally, if you’re involved inthe school community, consider
supporting funding forprofessional development
opportunities.
Whether it’s through fundraisersor advocating for a budget that
includes teacher training,helping to make resources

(12:52):
available to teachers benefitseveryone, especially students.
Now, lets look at todays episodetakeaways.
"Balancing teachingresponsibilities with ongoing
learning is no small feat, butit’s one of the most rewarding
aspects of a career ineducation.
By setting clear goals, findingmanageable learning

(13:12):
opportunities, applying newideas in the classroom, and
taking care of ourselves alongthe way, we’re not just growing
as teachers; we’re modeling alove of learning for our
students.
Thank you for joining us ontoday’s episode of Teaching with
Valor.
For more resources on balancingteaching and professional
development, check out the linksin our episode description.

(13:36):
Remember, growth is a journey,and each small step you take
brings you closer to becomingthe teacher you aspire to be.
Keep learning, keep inspiring,and as always, keep teaching
with valor."