New Instructor "stage fright"
Curiosity question...has anyone else had a new instructor, that took to the automotive education field like a duck takes to water? I mean, someone that was almost "turn-key" right from the start, only to have that great addition to your education team, get "cold feet"? It took a lot of work and "coaxing" to get this employee to believe that he would do just fine and be a valuable asset to the team and the organization. The instructor I'm referring to, actually thanked a few of us for the opportunity but was just scared to death and tried to quit. As this story turns out....this is one of my top performing instructors "across the board".
Back to my original question...is there something that any of you are doing to be proactive in preventing this type of "stage fright" in your new instructors?
Hi i'm Vanessa i'm a new instructor and i've learn to have a focus point in the room to calm me down.Also it's important to breath when you feel like your about to panic.Remembering that the students are open to us and we as instructors have the upper hand we've already been in there shoes so have fun and relaxed.
Hi Charles,
Thank you for sharing your story about "stage fright". I know this story applies to many instructors. All of us have been there at one time or another. Hearing that it all worked out for you with the assistance of another instructor shows how in teaching you have to be flexible and willing to change directions when needed.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
I have only been instructing for 11 months now and I experienced "stage fright" when asked to go out of my class and teach a seminar type class within our curriculum. While I prepared as much as I could I brought my stock portfolio instead of my course outline to class. What really helped was at the time another instructor was there to observe. He stepped in, took over and allowed me to go home to get my notes/outline so I could come back in and continue the class. Having good support around you really helps get though the tough times. It is important to "get back on the horse" when you fall off. I was given that opportunity and am still teaching (still learning more than I teach sometimes). To all new instructors-Prepare as much as you can/learn from those around you and expect to be nervous at first. The real thrill happens when students thank you for your effort.
Hi Don,
Well said. Sounds like you have found a strategy that gets your class up and running while getting yourself settled down.
Gary
As a new instructor I found that sometimes the students were nervous as well and it helped to start off with a Q & A to ease the tension and find some commonality with the students and break the ice. it has worked well for me and has made it easier to roll right into the "teaching" part of the class.
many times I have done lectures and from crowds of ten to at one time almost two thousand...I still get that horrible queasy feeling in my stomach ..... nothing ever really changes but that energy i use to go out there and prove yourself . areal ok I will show you what I am made of kind of attitude
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Many teachers got their start just like you. A sink or swim type of introduction. You have stuck it out and now are in control of your destiny as a professional educator.
Keep growing in the profession because your students will benefit from your dedication.
Gary
I am a new Instructor and for some crazy reason I chose not to take the training. I just threw myself in there and it was horrible the first day. I stood to the side and basically hide from the class. I still to this day have terrible stage fright but more so I think from leaving my Students bored with nothing more to do than judge and critique me. My Teaching job now puts me in front of my peers but before this I taught Children and it was the same thing, I was terrified. I too considered quitting. The thing that helps me the most is to BE PREPARED. Keep the class going, get them involved. They will appreciate it and it alleviates the stage fright. Anyhow I really appreciate all the advice!
Hi Juan,
Thanks for sharing your experience with becoming an instructor. You make a number of very good points about having the content knowledge and then working to translate that into an educational delivery format. That is the enjoyable part of teaching and should serve to keep you excited about being a part of the sharing profession.
Gary
As a new instructor, the transition from technician to instructor has been an experience. But the new instructor training is and was a valuable asset to begin this career. The "stage fright" syndrome I think is something that can easily be wiped away if not reduced dramatically by the fact that depending on the profession, most of the "students" are just that, students. You will know more than they do, even if you have forgotten half of what you have learned. I think personally for me its the process of taking certain knowledge that you take for granted and be able to turn that into a understandable and adaptable flow of information for the student. That in its self in front of a group of students can cause that so called stage fright. But in the end, like they say, "Its all in you head"
We are fortunate, we also have new instructor training. For the first three weeks when a new instructor is hired, the trainer slowly introduces the instructor to the course he/she will be instructing through observation; the new instructor sits in a variety of classes and sees different teaching styles. He also reports back to the trainer on his/her observations.
We also employ role play during training, where the new instructor has to develop a lesson plan and deliver it to the other new instructors and training staff. I think this is a great spring board as it some times harder to deliver material to your peers. After that experience, getting in front of the class is a little easier.
After the three weeks of training the new instructor sits in the class he/she will be teaching as a student. He/She receives the course material, takes notes, takes the tests and quizzes, and goes through the labs as an assistant.
I found this makes the transition from Tech to Trainer a smooth and easy one.
Rob, I worked in the field I now teach for over 30 years. Prior to becoming an instructor, I had no previous experience speaking to a group. My first day I had one of the worst cases of stage fright that this institution has ever witnessed. I could not even speak...I thought I was going to black out! I overcame this condition through practice and shear determination. I now train new instructors and face the stage fright issue everyday. It helps to have experienced this condition. I have my trainees address the class with brief comments several times a day during their training to gradually build their confidence. Are you requiring your new instructors to sit in on senior staff?
Hi Angela,
Welcome to the profession. You will do fine! Just use your common sense as you build your lesson plans. Present content for 15-20 minutes then have an activity that helps the students to apply the content. Group discussions, games, worksheets, demonstrations, etc. Anything to allow the student to pause and then apply content.
Be aware of how you present yourself. Are you in command of the classroom? Are you organized? All of these factors contribute to the model, manager, motivator model. By thinking of how you are fulfilling each of these 3 roles you will be successful as an instructor.
I will look forward to hearing about your experiences.
Good luck!
Gary
Thanks for the advice. I am joining a class already 4 weeks into the quarter, and while I am completely confident about the material the idea of keeping their attention for 2 hours is really frightening. I too am a new instructor and fear I may crash and burn after the first 45 min. Wish me luck!
Hi Richard,
Good ideas for breaking in new instructors. I am sure others will benefit from these suggestions.
Gary
One of the things that I do for many of the new instructors in my department (Gen. Ed.) and for all of those who have had no teaching experience is to have them sit in on one of my classes before they begin. If possible, I then have them teach one of the classes. In doing so, they are able to go into their own classes with at least some previous experience as to what teaching will be like. Also, it gives them some exposure to our students and how they interact with instructors and each other in the classroom.
Hi Amy,
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences about your development as an educator. We all have been there. Also, we all are continuing to grow as presenters and educators. Welcome to the profession, you are going to be a great one.
Gary
As a new instructor, it's comforting to know that having "stage fright" as it were is not a rare occurence.
I have tried to prepare myself by making numerous presentations on material that I could have recited in my sleep. While I am thoroughly acquainted with the content, I find that the enthusiasm of the students ads to my comfort, despite the feeling of being in the spotlight.
I have since moved on to push my boundaries by learning new material and then presenting it to the same groups. While the material is no longer entirely comfortable, my comfort level is still quite high since I am familiar with the group.
This encourages me yet again to push my limits of comfort in front of a crowd and use more unfamiliar content and newer/larger groups.
Although it seems like 'baby steps', I find that if I am more comfortable, I communicate better and am able to teach with more efficacity and efficiency.
