Students might be surprised to know how nervous some experienced teachers can be at the prospect of a new class. I have taught at least 40 classes, but I still find teaching stressful, particularly after the summer break or a sabbatical. As the first day approaches, I’ll begin to worry: Will my voice tremble? Will I sweat profusely? Will I forget my lesson plan? Will I lose their confidence right away? —“Thomas H. Benton” —Shyness and Academe (Chronicle)
Blogging something like this during the school year seems just too confessional. I know some of my students are still reading my blog even though classes are out, or my future students might find this post in my archives.
My teaching persona is extroverted, and I am generally extroverted with my family, but in a social context, I’m an introvert. That’s not exactly the same thing as being shy, of course.
I did attend three Seton Hill parties in four days last week (and managed to drag my wife along to two of them, thanks to my wonderful parents, who came up to babysit for us).
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Good point, Torill. This kind of thing reminds us all that both sides -- good teaching and good learning -- require hard work.
When I confessed to being nervous when I teach, my students came up to me to ask me if I was aware that they could read my blog, that is is public. For me, writing it, statign it out loud, is a way to deal with it and exorcize it. And so what if students discover that I over-prepare and am really anxious about giving a good lecture? I think it would be worse if they thought I didn't care at all.