Some instructor anxiety I feel is healthy, it keeps us on our toes and helps keep us fresh on the a subject we maybe teaching many times over. Believing you and your students can have a productive day, even on the maybe not so prepared feeling days, is better than letting the anxiety take over the entire day and class.
To reduce my anxiety that sometimes overcomes instantly and sometimes builds over time as I think about a class in the future (most times a class I am teaching the upcoming morning!) I usually force myself to shift into “Prepare†mode. If I am focusing my attention on the reading material, memorizing the student names, trying to come up with responses to questions for which I don’t know the answers, then my brain is not able to think about my anxiety & before I know it, I am feeling not only less anxious, but more confident!
I make it a point take on my "weaknesses" first when preparing for a class. I have found it really eases my own anxiety.
Being well prepared before teaching a class is an excellent way to overcome anxiety. Knowing that as an instructor, you know the material that you are going to cover, provides a certain element of ease. Also, a good ice breaker or a quick introduction of students helps to get things going.
Hi Yolanda,
You are on point! Preparation is the key to success when it comes to teaching.
Patricia Scales
Hi Janae,
This practice is extremely helpful. It gives you something to refer to. In our industry, we have a lot to remember; writing things down help with memory.
Patricia Scales
Minimizing teacher anxiety is to be as prepared. Having all your material ready and having practiced the lesson will help minimize the anxiety.
I liked the idea suggested of writing down notes of what worked and what didn't.
Hi Lisa,
Teaching is no doubt challenging, but the good out weighs the bad because it too is rewarding.
Patricia Scales
Thank you Patricia; I do enjoy teaching and the challenges it brings.
Hi Lisa,
I love the way you prepare! Preparation is key! I can tell you give your students all you have.
Patricia Scales
When I was a newer instructor I spent the first year (or cycle of classes) reading the material, highlighting important parts, taking the quizzes/tests, and practicing at home in front of the mirror. I kept all of my curriculum in organized binders, including the tests/quizzes, and any notes I had jotted down.
This made my second go-around with the cycle of classes much easier. Before I would begin a new course, I reviewed my binder and added any updated information that I din't have previously. By the time I reached about 9 years of teaching medical assisting I had the lecture material down pretty well. I just always had to make sure and check for updates for each course...
Hi Robert,
Picking a seansoned instructor's brain is extremely valuable. They can give you excellent pointers.
Patricia Scales
Preperation is the key. If you have refreshed your knowledge of the information and developed a plan to present the information. Discuss your plan with a fellow instructor and ask for input or ideas to make to improve the content or presentation.
Hi Kerry,
Knowledge has a lot to do with anxiety. The more knowledgeable you are, the less anxiety you will have.
Patricia Scales
As I started my teaching experience, I knew that the students were already more knowledgeable about certain aspects of dentistry than I since the basis sciences had changed in the 35 years since I graduated from dental school. Continuing education in dentistry usually don't cover these subjects. I was able to delay my anxiety and concerns by giving "real world" experiences to the discussion while I updated myself on the topic being discussed before I had to answer questions or present the subject in question. In time, I was able to regain the necessary education for my self, and all anxiety disappeared.
Hi Robert,
Continue to prepare well. Preparation increases confidence.
Patricia Scales
I always go over my daily class presentation on the drive to school. I go as far as to give my lectures out loud in the car. An "performance" anxiety about teaching is greatly reduced my preparation and practice.
Hi Virginia,
Preparation is a must in order to do well.
Patricia Scales
Hi Vincent,
Everyone certainly is different! You are fortunate, you can be effective with less preparation. I have been teaching for over 23 years, and preparation is key for me!
Patricia Scales
