Hi Karl,
Do an activity that is sure to be successful and the students will enjoy it. This can be an "ice breaker", group problem solving, or lab work. Something that will support your abilities as an instructor. This success will greatly enhance your confidence as an instructor pulse do much to establish rapport with your students. This will also give you some room to breath as you plan other parts of your course.
The two biggest parts of developing confidence are success and time. The time factor comes as you spend time on site so strive for the success component right from the very beginning. You will be amazed at how much you will grow in a very short period of time.
Gary
refect back to the days of when you were in the students seat.
First, a new instructor class is great to introduce you to the fundamentals of teaching. Take what you learn and use it as a baseline but be yourself in the classroom. You will develop your own style and that is what you move toward. You already have the knowledge as a professional in the field. Watch the instructors you sit in with and choose what you like and modify it to work for you. If you see things you don't like or are uncomfortable with, don't do it. Hopefully you'll find you are more comfortable sooner just being yourself.
