Stop Doing Things the Hard Way: How Educators Can Simplify and Focus on What Matters Most

 

Discover how teachers can simplify routines, save time, and focus on what matters most with smart classroom tools like EZ Scan® and Mileage Club®.

Teaching Doesn't Have to Be Hard: How to Work Smarter, Not Harder 

“When we’re accustomed to doing things the hard way, it’s like being blinded by the glare coming off the water.” 

--Greg McKeown in “Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most”

Have you ever felt blinded by the "glare" of routine tasks - doing the same things every day, even when they take too long or no longer work effectively?

As educators, we're committed to doing things the right way. However, as Greg McKeown points out, we sometimes confuse "the right way" with "the hard way." 

Let's explore why we fall into that trap - and how to break free so we can focus on what matters most: helping our students thrive.

These three misconceptions, or illusions our brains like to believe, give us a glimpse at the underlying causes.

🚧 Myth #1: Doing It Right Means Doing It the Hard Way

We've been conditioned to believe that working harder automatically means working better. But that's not always true.

You can get the same (or even better) results by working smarter. Whether it's lesson planning, grading, or managing student programs, efficiency tools can make a huge difference.

Example:

Teachers using EZ Scan to track Mileage Club progress save hours each week by automating laps and data collection - no more clipboards or manual tallies.

Efficiency doesn't mean cutting corners. It means using your time and tools wisely.

💰 Myth #2: “We Can’t Afford to Make Things Easier”

We often think that simplifying our work - using new tools or changing our system - costs too much.

But the truth is, your time is valuable. Every extra hour spent on repetitive work has a cost, too.

Could you: 

• Reallocate part of your classroom budget for a time-saving tool?
• Partner with local businesses for sponsorship or donations?
• Trade one small expense (like that daily latte) for something that gives you hours back each week?

You don't have to choose between saving money and saving time - there's often a middle ground.

🧠 Myth #3: Learning New Technology Is Too Hard

Let's be honest - trying new tech can feel intimidating at first. But once you take the first step, most tools are far easier to learn than they seem.

Start small: explore the help articles, watch a short demo, or reach out to customer support.

If you're using Fitness Finders programs like EZ Scan, you already have access to step-by-step guides and friendly support to help you get started. Many schools find that within one week, their entire process runs smoothly, and students are more engaged.

Good technology doesn't add work - it removes it. 

The Takeaway: Make Teaching Effortless

If you don't pause and reassess, your brain will keep telling you to do things "the hard way."

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• What daily tasks take up the most time?
• Is there a tool, process, or partnership that could simplify it?
• Could your students take more ownership with self-tracking or digital rewards?

Remember: simplifying your workload isn't laziness - it's leadership. The easier your systems are, the more energy you can invest where it matters most - your students.

Try This Today

Pick one task that drains your time this week. Ask:

"What if this could be effortless?"

You might be surprised how much easier - and more enjoyable - your day becomes

How a Special Education Teacher Uses Fitness Finders® Tokens to Motivate Students to Read More

See how reward tokens help students develop reading confidence and pride in this inspiring classroom success story from Onsted Elementary.

An Interview with Tina Slater, a Special Education Teacher

Name: Tina Slater

Position Title: Special Education Teacher

Grades: Fourth and Fifth Grades

School Name: Onsted Elementary School

Years Teaching: 27 years

Current Subjects: Reading, Math and Writing

How do you use tokens from Fitness Finders in your reading classroom?

In my reading resource classroom, students are awarded tokens after reading a leveled chapter book. Students are reading their chapter book for 10-15 minutes each day so it can take 8-12 days to complete a book. During reading, the student and I talk about the text and I listen to them read. When the book is complete, we meet to talk about the book and their reading success. During this time I present a token to commemorate their accomplishment. 

 

How do you choose which tokens to use?

When selecting the token to award, I try to match the token with the book the student has just completed. I have a variety of animals and objects to choose from. 

When students completed a book about Knights, I awarded them a key and a compass — which were two important objects from the Knights' Quest. They were thrilled! Sometimes it can be more difficult to make a match - in those cases, I may use the question mark token and make a connection with the predictions students made during reading or their use of expression when reading aloud. 

 

How do you distribute tokens?

Tokens are presented by me to students in a private ceremony. I actually make a big deal when presenting the token and make a mini-speech calling out the achievements the students made while reading the book and making connections between their reading success and the token. 

I am conferencing (video) with the student, but I am aware that others (family members) are listening. I try to call out as many positive reading behaviors as possible.

 

How do students display their tokens?

Students wear their tokens on lanyards during reading class (the laces from Fitness Finders). Each student selected their lanyard and the links (Lacelink) from the variety of colors and patterns Fitness Finders offers. 

When students aren’t wearing their necklaces they are displayed on hooks near our bookshelves. 

 

 

 Do you have a favorite token? 

I love all of the Animals! Our school mascot is the wildcat — so all of the cats and paws are a hit with my students. 

 

 How has this changed your classroom environment or impacted student motivation? 

Rewarding tokens has brought a bit more fun and provided a visual that represents student success.  I love it when I hear a student say, 

“I can’t believe I have read this much,” as they are putting on their necklace before class.

 

Can you share any stories or quotes from students while using tokens in your class?   

5th grader Emma said, 

“When we get rewarded with tokens, it just makes us want to read more and work harder. It makes everything more fun!”

 

Do you have any plans specifically for reading month?

During Reading Month, students will be earning double tokens and we will be celebrating Wildcats Read with drawings for extra tokens. I’ll also be taking pictures of students reading while wearing their token necklaces to send home with their progress reports in mid-March.

 

❄️Treat Your Students To Their Own Run Through the Snow! ❄️

In honor of our  "Race With The Sled Dogs Program", we asked Coach White from Orion Elementary in Anchorage, what it’s like to operate a run club for students in Alaska. Here is what she said...

Do students run outside in the snow or inside the school?

We run outside in the snow. Getting fresh air is important, especially during the long, cold, dark winter months. On Dec 21st, Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year, we typically only have 6 hours of daylight here in Anchorage. The sun doesn't rise until about 10am and sets by 4pm. Further north in the Arctic Circle, they have several weeks where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon at all!

How cold does it get? 

I've seen it as cold as -20 here in Anchorage. Further north in Fairbanks it is common for it to reach -40 in the winter. Our typical winter temp is about 20 degrees for a high and in the teens or single digits overnight.

Do you use EZ Scan to scan laps? Does the tablet work when it is really cold outside? 

Yes, we use EZ Scan to keep track of our mileage during the running season. We keep our iPads inside the entryway in the window sill facing out so that kids can scan through the window after each lap and the iPads stay nice and warm!"

Interview Date: 2019

 

2020 Mileage Club hits 250,000 miles!

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