Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Alma,
I wish you much success in your teaching career. I know you are going to enjoy your time as an educator. In your brief teaching experience what has been the biggest surprise about teaching that you have encountered to this point.
Gary

ALMA PEREZ

I will take this advise from Dr. Gary Meers. This is going to help me get started, this is my first year teaching. Thank you

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Margaret,
As a veteran teacher let me tell you that you will be nervous no matter how hard you try not to be. I am still nervous after 30 years as a teacher each time I start a new class. The reason is two fold, first I can't wait to see what the mix will be of students for this phase and secondly until I get the class settled in I am nervous about making sure I the class off to a good start. Now the classes always get off to a good start and I get to relax and enjoy my students, but I still have the nerves the first class meeting.
As a new teacher work to get your nerves under control to the point that you present yourself as a competent professional educator. Take a deep breath and start the class of with an "ice breaker" that will give you and the students a chance to relax a bit and get to know each other. Then move into the introductions of yourself and the students. You know yourself better than anyone else so you are talking about what you know, you. You will find that you will calm down and you can move to course content and will feel confident in doing so. You are a subject matter expert or you would not have been hired to teach. Be prepared over the content and then plan your instructional delivery in such a way that it is interesting and challenging for your students. The next thing you know the nerves will be gone and you will be wondering where the time has gone.
If you have any specific questions on how to get started let me know and I will be glad to give you suggestions. I wish you the very best in your new career.
Gary