January is National "Get Organized Month" so I decided to share some resources on getting organized. There are some great sites out there too, including the National Association of Professional Organizers.
I am a type A personality in many ways and I've always been organized at work (not so much at home). As an engineer, it was vital to be organized. As a teacher, it was too, but harder to do. I learned some great things from United Technologies when I worked at Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky Aircraft. They use a system called ACE, Achieving Competitive Excellence, and parts of it are related to having an organized work space so that you can be more efficient.
Technology is also a great resource for getting organized. I'm about 99% paperless - everything is either done electronically or scanned. I use Evernote extensively for staying organized.
Below are links, with descriptions, to help you get organized.
Evernote Resources
Evernote is the i-ching for organization. Save everything here, organized by notebooks, notes, stacks, and tags and searchable. Text notes, files, documents, web clippings, etc. It is my main tool for everything from lesson plans, to meeting notes, to personal information to photos and more.
Google Apps Resources
Google apps, like email and calendar, can help you get and stay organized with the features they have. Google Keep is a great, simple note taking app that also allows you to set reminders. I use this for quick to-do's and checklists.
Getting Organized Tips and Resources
I wrote this last January and it has some great tips and ideas for getting organized, along with resources. I even discuss paper planning here.
Taking Organizing and Planning Tips from Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin was great at being organized and had some great ideas that are used today.
Great Uses for Binder Clips
Binder clips can help you get organized, and not just by clipping papers together.
Tips, Resources, and Ideas for Going Paperless
Going paperless can help you get more organized - less clutter, less space needed for paper, and the digital versions are easily searchable.
All Articles Tagged as "Get Organized"
This will pull up a list of any blog post that I tagged as "get organized"
Getting Organized with Google Calendar
Tips on using calendar to get organized.
Getting your Lesson Plans and Room Organized for a Substitute Teacher
Life is much better for the sub, your students, and you when you return, when your lessons and classroom are organized.
Using Technology to Organize your Lessons and Resources
I was a much happier, more efficient teacher when I got myself and my lessons organized.
Getting Students and Teachers Organized
Some tips for students and teachers.
