How teachers can overcome classroom stage fright

Image source: nea.org

 If you had a classmate who had difficulty talking in front of the class, note that they grew up to become adults with full-time jobs. Some of those shy kids could even turn up to class one day but as an educator. However, it's not unheard of to have a first-time teacher having stage fright in front of a small class. According to Victor Restis, stage fright among first-time teachers happens a lot, especially for substitute teachers who are just filling in for a day or two. But if you are planning to be a teacher but have fears talking in front of a class, here are some tips to help you overcome classroom stage fright.

Prepare your body beforehand

If you feel like your body is stiff, take a quick bathroom break to make yourself looser and comfortable. Jump a few times, shake your limbs, force yourself to laugh, and get your blood circulating. This can help eject any nervous tension you might have.

Stop yourself from freezing

Freezing while in the middle of teaching or speech can be a deal-breaker for students. If you ever find yourself freezing, Victor Restis suggests small movements that can break this awkward moment. You can sit down on your chair, walk between the rows of students, or even dropping your current topic and moving on to the next.

                                                                               Familiarize yourself  with the class

Regardless of whether you'll be sticking around as a regular teacher or just a relief teacher, familiarizing yourself with the students is a good way to build rapport and ease the tension. Listening to your students can give you more options on what to say. Victor Restis says you can do this by asking a personal question to a student to get to know them better before posing an academic question. This shows that you, as an individual, are interested in knowing the students on a level that's beyond student-teacher.

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