Yes! I 100% agree with retreading material from previous classes, a sort of built-in review each week. At first I didn't want to do this, figured it was a waste of class time, but I think students feel good when you are covering information that they DO know/remember. It reminds them, "Hey, I AM learning something from this class!"
What a great suggestion! I agree that students definitely pick up on an instructor's energy--whether they are rushed, irritated, happy to be there, etc. I think it's our goal as instructors to project as much positivity as possible, and to express excitement over the day's plan.
One of the best things I have found to overcome anxiety about teaching is to re-frame the anxiety as excitement. Telling myself that I'm not nervous so much as excited and eager shifts the feeling away from the negative to the positive. This technique took some time to actually be effective, and I'm still working on it, but, as with anything worth doing, it takes some practice.
On a more operational note, the other thing I do to reduce anxiety is to create a daily plan. The daily plan is broken down by activity and the length of time each activity should take. I give this to the students and I keep one for myself to refer to as the class progresses. This assures that if I lose my way, I can easily look at my plan and get back on track. Knowing that I have created this scaffolding for myself lessens my nervousness.
Hi Gary,
Preparation is key! It sounds like you really go into class being prepared.
Patricia Scales
I have been teaching in a trade school atmsphere for about 8 years and still to this day I get nervous the first day of each class. I have found that if i am well prepared and show that i am very knowlegeable about my topic by the ebd of the first day I have gotten past my stage fright.
Being prepared. Have more information available to present then you need. Practice your presentation out loud to a friend, watch youself in a mirror or record a video so you feel confident about how you look and sound.
Go over your material and do some breathing exercises
I practice yogi and meditation to relax the body and mind. When I feel relaxed my classroom rapport with students reflects the positive energy.
When I started teaching, I read and re-read the chapter well before class. This way I became more familiar with the material i was going to teach and was more comfortable with the chapter itself...using the examples and case studies to expound on the topic at hand.
Prep work does help and also a understanding of the course material is a must. Having several ways of explaining the material is also a good idea because of the way different people learn. The instructor will become more confortable as time goes on in front of the class. Will you make a mistake, YES. Is it the end of the world NO.
When I first started teaching I had to learn that the biggest part of teaching was being prepared. Developing a good lesson plan and following it.
Prepare materials ahead of time. Study materials and topics just as the students would. Teach with confidence. Reflect on life experience to tie in with material.
Hi Adrienne,
Being organized is definitely a must. Everything flows smoother when the instructor is organized.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jason,
What a great way to have a Plan B. I can tell you prepare well for your classes.
Patricia Scales
For me the biggest key is organization. When I go into the class for the first time I'm sure to have a lesson plan but also remain flexible and open the change.
Hi Crystal,
Preparation is key! Try to always have more material than needed. You live and learn.
Patricia Scales
I always have about twice as much material prepped than I really need which calms any anxiety I may otherwise have. I also like to have a short video prepared that I can fall back on if I need a few extra minutes (to grab handouts off my desk, speak to a student one on one, etc.)
I agree, I have to thoroughly prepare and and know the material.
I agree that preparation is very important. It was something I did not have in the beginning of my first term ever teaching. With that class plan and notes in front of you as a reference you can easily navigate each chapter of the book. The biggest surprise for me as a new instructor was how the classes with the longest notes and class plans would finish early when I thought it would take at least a class or two to get through. Others that I anticipated as short were actually long classes that continued on to the next class. Now that I have noted this I will be prepared when I teach the topic again.
Hi James,
Prparation is key! Remember, you are always ready, therefore don't be nervous.
Patricia Scales
