Getting Things Done Ep. 331: Exploration of GTD for Educators
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Oct 8, 2025 
Join Erik Johnson, a dedicated high school social studies teacher from Chicago, and David Drake, a microbiology professor at the University of Iowa, as they explore their unique applications of the GTD methodology in education. They share how GTD helps manage classroom chaos and academic pressures. Topics include maintaining focus in shared spaces, using agenda lists for mentoring, and effectively handling classroom surprises. Discover their strategies for prioritizing tasks and making productive use of unexpected downtimes!
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GTD Saved Two Educators' Sanity
- Erik Johnson is a high-school social studies teacher in a 3,000-student Chicago school and says GTD saved him from burnout in year five.
- David Drake is a research professor who credits long-term GTD practice with preserving his sanity.
Distinct Educator Focus Areas
- Educators have unique areas of focus like mentoring, grant writing, and departmental service that differ from many professions.
- Labeling these distinct areas helps capture projects and responsibilities clearly.
Make Each Course A Project
- Treat each course as a project rather than creating tiny project entries for every lesson.
- Avoid excessive sub-projects unless a course activity truly needs multi-step tracking.
