new to teaching
My new position is to teach in a field that I have about 10 years experience in so I feel I know the subject matter fairly well but I can't stop being very nervous about the teaching aspect of it. My question is there any tricks to getting over my nervousness and building my confidence or is it just a matter of getting in there and getting experience. I just dont want to let anyone down mostly my students. Thanks for the help .
Ramses,
Great to hear. You are giving hope to other new instructors. After many years as a teacher it does get easier and even more enjoyable.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I keep hearing from everyone that it will get easier with time. I have presented a couple of chapters and it seams to be getting easier already.
Joe,
Welcome to the field of teaching. I wish you much success in this field as it has been a most rewarding career for me all these years. The impact you have on the lives of your students will make all of your efforts be worthwhile.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am also new to teaching and very nervous. i agree that if you prepare yourself, teaching what you have been doing, comes easy to you, and will enjoy it very much.
Mary,
Great to hear of your progress thus far. I wish you much teaching success. Your excitement about teaching is going to serve you well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am thankful for everyone's feedback on the subject of being a new instructor. I have already utilized some of the suggestions which I found very helpful. My biggest fear is not being seen as credible so I better start working on my course!
Mary
Colette,
I agree about the nerves. I still get nervous just before starting a new class. I look forward to meeting the students and learning about their backgrounds. Once we complete the ice breakers and introductions we all settle down and start to build a foundation for the course. Yes, sharing examples and stories from the field help to reinforce the content and why it is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Being a little nervous can be a good thing. It shows you care about your students. Be organized and prepared by knowing the subject matter, the assigned book content, and preparing answers in advance to questions you think will be asked, will help calm your nerves. Using your 10 years of experience to give examples of the content makes for a more interesting lecture.
Harlan,
After teaching for many years I still have butterflies when I start a new course. I think having butterflies even though one is prepared is a good thing because they keep us connected to your human side and is a trigger for us to work hard at being the best professional educator we can. We never want to step into a class and consider what we are doing as being just another way to collect a pay check.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teresa,
Thank you for this good advice for beginning instructors. Your comments I know will be of great help to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am also new to teaching, I have about 25 years in the technical field and feel I know my subject matter very well. I have set through a session and observed another instructor teach this course already. I have laid out my plan for the class and figure I will open with a good personal experiance story from when I was working in the field. With all of this said I still have the butterflies about stepping in front of the class alone for the first time.
Being nervous comes natural. i am fairly new to the teaching environment and ahve experience but yet overcame the exact same obstacle. Prepare yourself and you will do just fine. Know your information and find a great teaching strategy and you will surely not let your students down.
Michelle,
The human side of being an educator is very important. Not only does the interaction help you to earn the respect of your students but it also gives you confidence in your teaching. You have grown a lot since the first time you stepped into a classroom and that hasn't been very long ago. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jennifer,
Good to hear how your confidence has grown and your ability to share your content has increased. This is what professional growth is all about. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am new to teaching also and reviewing the material beforehand helps a ton. Also, if you can manage to make a professional connection to some coworkers helps. They can help with questions you may be unsure of.
I've also found that going out of my way to be friendly towards the students ("hellos" in the hallways and lunchroom) seems to help with my nervousness. Then once I am more comfortable the teaching seems to come easier as I have 8 years of experience in my field as well.
I do agree, I used to be very nervous but after challenging my self with the material, I felt more comfortable lecturing to my students
Gina,
Right you are about the actual classroom experience but you are going to be way ahead with all the preparation you doing. I wish you much success in the classroom and a rewarding career sharing your 30 years of experience with your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I too am new to teaching after 30 years in the clinical field. I am trying to be as prepared as possible by studying my subjects and observing seasoned teachers teach the courses. These online classes are proving to be extremely helpful. I'm sure nothing will be better than actual in the classroom experience.
Gwen,
Being prepared has a way of calming nerves. You know you are ready and that you have passion for your field as well as excitement about teaching. This goes a long way in getting a class off to a good start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
