Job Discussion Forums

[distiller]

Anyone feeling kind of the opposite? I'm starting to feel relaxed in situations where I feel I ought to be nervous. Principal and superintendent viewing a class? Whatever. Unannounced class observations? Fine. Just found out that the idiot substitute just covered all the material you prepared for today? I've got an ol' bag o'tricks, I'll think of something.

I enjoy teaching and the main part of my efforts go towards empathizing with my students and fostering a productive relationship with them. I prepare but I've got so many materials and lessons plans (mostly internalized) now that the prep part doesn't take up huge amounts of time anymore.

There was a time when it took me forever to plan a lesson and when I would turn bright red and sweat profusely in front of a class but that was back in the newbie days. I think every teacher needs to find a comfort zone, a routine if you will, that works for him or her. It may take some fine tuning but you shouldn�t come to the verge of killing yourself every time you write a lesson, it�s just not worth it.

[spidey]

Hey! I make a really good wallflower...I stick to walls.

To Schminken,

Take comfort in the fact that you are truly concerned about your students and their well-being. This is the sign of a good teacher and of someone who cares about others. You have been feeling this way for 4 years now but yet you still go to class and do a great job. You are a true fighter and you should try looking in the mirror and saying so.

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-man

[donfan]

I have always been quiet and reserved, though not really shy. Personality is unimportant to a certain extent. Teaching is acting. You have to put on a performance for the class. People who see me in class can't believe I am the same quiet person they know outside the classroom. I still feel nervous about a class. Not so much more now since I am teaching a grade 1 class in Australia. Young kids accept you for who you are if you treat them well. But when I was teaching adults overseas I definitely felt nervous before every lesson.

I also went through the performance anxiety thing when I was teaching in Taiwan. After class if I saw one of my students talking to the receptionist at the front desk I used to feel sick thinking that they were complaining about my lesson. 99% percent of the time it was about something completely different but I still used to worry.

Good luck and keep smiling.

[Nauczyciel]

It's been exactly a week since I found this thread and replied to it. The lesson I was so worried about went fine. The whole week was quite a pleasure, and the students turned out to be likeable and teachable. I'm about to start my second week of teaching here and I'm sure everything will be all right.

[moonraven]

Don't worry.

How bad could it be?

[Aramas]

While you're checking out NLP you may as well brush up on your eugenics and phrenology You could pick up some crystals to use during your aromatherapy sessions, and perhaps look into palmistry and iridology. Don't forget the 'self help' section of your local bookshop (they sell those little rectangular things made of paper). Also, watching late-night television can get you in touch with your inner credit card as you reap the benefits of learning the secrets of happiness, success and confidence - all in the comfort of your own trailer.

[Sweetsee]

Just want to comment that I think Distiller's previous post about teaching and pace was right -on!
And Spidey you are always the man, so positive and giving. Sure would be nice to have a friend like you.


Live life,
s

[biffinbridge]

Since smoking a big fat one prior to teaching is not for everyone I thought I'd suggest some other ways of taking your mind off things.Chill out music in the classroom,essential burning oils and breathing exercises are all known to help in diminishing anxiety,whether it be caused by shyness or whatever.If all that fails, don't say anything and use the 'Silent Method'.