Nerves… & Other Things That Make No Sense

Tomorrow is the first day of my new job and I’ve spent the past two nights having those awkward, nervous dreams that aren’t quite nightmares but still leave you with a feeling of “oh thank GOD that didn’t really happen” upon waking.

I should not be nervous. I’ve met all the kids that I’m going to be teaching (which, in all honesty, is a mixed blessing). I have all myhandouts typed up, proof-read and printed for the first week. This is not my first time teaching, either.

Only it kind of is my first time teaching, at least without the lables “substitute” or “student” stuck to my title.

Teaching is a little bit like giving a presentation in front of the class… every day of your life. I think we can all remember that churn-y feeling of having to read aloud in front of everyone, or – even worse – explaining your Bristol board poster and then taking questions from the class. Standing pigeon-toed and fidgeting with your crumpled sheet of looseleaf, you hoped that no one would ask you something you didn’t know.

I’m here to tell you that the feeling changes, but I don’t think it ever really goes away.