How to Take the Fear Out of Teaching

There are lots of ways to take the fear out of teaching. Many experienced teachers, including me, would tell you that you will feel lots better about your prospects if you are as thoroughly prepared as possible. It can't be denied that whether you are teaching a handful of women in an adult education class or a room full of third graders in an elementary school knowing your stuff is key to your success. But there's more to successful teaching than a comfort level with the subject matter and there's more to taking the fear out of teaching then just revisiting your college diploma.

A somewhat quirky approach that can be used with considerable success is to break down your teaching day ( or hour ) and think of each part with your imagination set at "on". Don't think of yourself as the same person performing all the different tasks that need to be done but agree with yourself in advance to view each aspect of your job through the eyes of a different kind of professional

For example beginning the class will often require taking attendance. Instead of taking attendance as Mrs. Smith the third grade teacher with the same, soon to be boring, voice you use all day, give yourself an identity break. Put Mrs. Smith, third grade teacher, aside and let her rest at her desk for a few moments while Coach Smith calls out the names enthusiastically as if getting ready for a sports competition. "Hey Sally are you here and ready to hit one out of the park today. And what about Sam have you warmed yourself up by doing that assigned reading. "

Or how about when it is time to do that science lesson. Why not give Mrs. Smith another break and become for a time Frau Schmidt complete with German accent ready to work in the laboratory on an important new project. Time for Geography means time to dance out the voice and behaviors of a travel agent or a tour guide. "Who wants their ticket punched for New Zealand today?"

I always believed, (who didn't ) that there was great pedagogy at work on the Mr. Rogers television set. Rogers of course was a trained educator, but he also saw the value of letting the whole person take part in the process of education. And so he became adept at using the world of make believe, his own fancy and imagination and even the simple costume change in and out of a cardigan sweater to move the show along but also to maximize his teaching.

For the anxious teacher, using imagination in your classroom, can help put you and your children at ease. After all you don't have to keep holding on to all the things that Mrs. Smith would and should do. You can take a break whenever you feel the need and welcome your kids to join you as you discover and learn through the power of imagination.