only must develop a strategy for adequate class time and will be well prepared in content that we provide to make sure of ourselves
Hi Brenda,
A great resource is a seasoned instructor! Pick the seasoned instructor's brain to gain as much insight as possible.
Patricia
Observe other instructors, make careful notes based on your reading, practice, practice, practice.
I think pre-class anxiety decreases with experience. When I first started teaching I was nervous about everything, now I find that as long as I prepare prior to the class I do not exerience any pre-class anxiety.
relax! you know the material other wise you would have never received the job in the first place.
I find a good way to reduce anxiety and pre-class nerves is to be prepared with a written lesson plan. I also find that a mental rest or break before teaching class really helps, especially if the classes are four to five hours long, as mine are.
Meditation and a short prayer for assistance also goes a long way and takes little time.
I work multiple jobs in one day (up to 18 hours some days) and I find that if I do not give myself some downtime in those long days I have much more anxiety.
instructor who are well prepared and organized has less anxiety
I review what i am going to read for the day.
Hi Shawn,
I am really good at memorizing names. I normally have all my students names memorized by the end of the first class meeting. I've known some instructors to use name tents to help with name memorization.
Patricia
I always get a class list before the first class so I have everyone's name. Then when I meet them I can associate it with a real person and it helps with memorizing their name.
Here are a few ways to help reduce the anxiety and nervousness that often occurs before class:
A) Warm-up the class. Instead of walking into class as the bell rings and beginning the lesson, consider arriving early so you can interact with students individually or in small groups. This will be a distraction from nervousness and a great way to start class positively.
B) Lead with humor. One technique I use to get folks smiling is the 'name tent game' After having everyone make name tents on the first day, I collect them all then try to pass them back out to the correct folks. I always goof it up a few times which is good for a few giggles and smiles. I do this every hour for the first two days of class. It lightens the mood and I'll usually have all the students’ names memorized by the end of day two.
C) Goof-up professionally. Students need to know how professionals handle mistakes. Decide before going into class how you'll handle your own mistakes if they occur. If you rehearse in your mind a few times then when the inevitable does occur you'll be ready.
D) Have 'Contingency Lessons.' The unexpected happens most commonly to new instructors who are learning the system at a new job. This is why it is so important to have a couple ready-to-use lessons developed ahead of time, just in case something unexpected occurs like a computer glitch or projector problem. With contingency lessons already prepared, new instructors have the peace of mind to not fear "technical difficulties." When something unexpected occurs and the instructor need some time to solve a problem or compose themselves, they need only to dig out a contingency lesson and have the students get to work in small groups. This buys the instructor time and makes potential class downtime into productive time.
Be prepared and practice the lessons before class are two ways to reduce anxiety. Conducting an icebreaker is good for the students and the instructor so the instructor will be able to assess the student’s knowledge and abilities. When a teacher/instructor knows a little about each student – they can determine the different teaching technics that can be applied. Show the students you are human and have a life outside the classroom so the students don’t expect you to be on a know-it-all and someone how cannot teach them the subject. In the field of computers, I say to my students that I am always learning because the technology is always changing. If I don’t learn something every day then I feel let down. So I express to the students that they are teaching me a few things because of their questions and some of the answers. You can be prepared from the manual you are using to teach but when you teach a class about computers or life they need to have hands-on experiences to retain the information and knowledge. Things will also come up that is not in a text book or enough on the internet to explain or solve. Sometime things happen that takes life, knowledge, and practice to unravel.
Hi Sheryl,
Keep striving for perfection! It makes you that much more of an effective educator! I can tell by this response that you really go into the classroom prepared.
Patricia
This can be a struggle for me because sometimes I feel like I'm too much of a perfectionist and no matter how much I've taught the class before, I don't think my lesson is as good as it could be. It has been helpful to remind myself that my students and I are somewhat in the same boat that first day. None of us think we'll be perfect, but we'll still be just fine!
Hi Lisa,
Absolutely, always have a plan. A plan helps relieve a lot of stress.
Patricia
introduce yourself then pass around the room the same, if nervous this can give you a breather for a couple minutes, have a plan! do not walk into a room and not know what you will doing that day!
Hi Bonnie,
I am identical to you! Preparation is key! I actually prepare a week in advanced for each course. I am not a last minute person at all.
Patricia
Hi Becka,
Absolutely, you know more than your students at this point! Prepare and be confident, and you will shine as an educator.
Patricia
I was very nervous starting out as a new instructor. I have been on the stage before but this is completely different. I continue to remind myself that I am more knowledgeable in my field than that of my students and that makes my anxiety a bit less
I get very stressed if I do not feel prepared for class. I see some instructors who are copying materials just minutes before the start of the class, or who don't seem to have a clear plan for their class. I just cannot function this way. If my materials are ready and I know what I will be doing I am very confident and comfortable right from the beginning of the class.
