New Teacher Anxiety

[HS History Teacher]

Hi everyone - I came here looking for threads of new teachers discussing their anxiety going into the classroom, but to my surprise couldn't really find any that fit what I was looking for. So, I'll start my own. I'm about to begin a student teaching position in 10th and 11th grade History. I've been out of college for 8 years now and have been in the professional world for a while; I also hold an MA in history. I decided I needed a change, and given my interests in history and education, I chose teaching. I'm very excited about it, and I can't wait to meet my kids next week, but at the same time I'm feeling extremely anxious as it gets closer - a lot of what-ifs going through my head, terrified of freezing up in front of the class, things along those lines.

I assume I'm not alone in this, but was wondering if anyone had any advice, or resources I could look at to help ease my anxiety. I really want to get off to a strong start, and the fact that I'm student teaching is a big help, but the anxiety is still there. Sorry for the long post, and I'd really appreciate any advice!

[teacher5]

I teach elementary school, but can offer you this advice. 1. Be prepared. Know your material. The kids can sense when you are hesitant or floundering. 2. Come across as confident. Stand tall and erect and speak in a tone that is authoritative, but not being an authoritarian. 3. Be CONSISTENT! Once you set down the guidelines and expectations stick to them, especially about assignments, homeworks, tests, & quizzes and the grading system. This must be done on the very first day. 4. Be FAIR. Let them know on the first day, too, what the consequences are for late or missing assignments or projects,etc. You may even want to draw up a contract which the student signs and their parent or guardian, too. This contract must be returned within the first three days. This way everyone knows how to play by the rules from the start. 5. If you can deviate from the curriculum a bit or make a meaningful connection, start your first classes with something current, relavant, etc. which may strike a note to a real world connection. Possibly you can do something related to the election. (i.e. Should the next president of the USA be elected by the Electoral College or the popular vote?) After 33 years of teaching at the elementary level, I have found these five things crucial and essential for having a productive class. Best of luck!

[SS Rocks!]

I'd like to know, what is it you're anxious about? Planning lessons? Working with your cooperating teacher? Being accepted by students? Discipline? It will help me in constructing a response.

Until then, I wish you good luck and leave you with some words of wisdom. This is something that both of my cooperating teachers told me...

Some days, you are going to fail. You'll try something and it isn't going to work. Don't let it get to you. Take that failure, learn from it, and do it better the next time.

[Straight A's McGee]

I feel you I started teaching recently too. I am on the shy side, too, so it's really important for me to be firm. Children need boundaries.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

[Lunchbox]

I just recently started as well. Best thing you can do is to build those connections! Once you start to know the kids, and you keep up on their missing work and show them that you care about them.... most should fall in line. Some will still need loads of help and encouragement (I'm working on several students right now, ranging from freshmen to juniors). Another recommendation is to build up a constant ritual, by greeting the kids at the door every class. It helps them to have some stability in their life when for all we know, everything outside of school is insane. Finally, listen to SS's quote. It's true as can be.

[Brit]

I have insane anxiety. I have an anxiety disorder, so it's something I deal with daily, but boy, I'm SCARED of thursday night's meet the teacher! the first day of school, I threw up a few times, but it does pass...then I just get the flu and throw up from that. It's amazing that I'm not a size 0.

[superteach]

Hi, new teacher here also. I work in a low income school where I am the 4th grade teacher. I don't get anxiety, but I get frustrated with alot of stuff. I have been told many times that I have the roughest class there is. All the teachers in the school know my kids by first name. It is difficult to get them all in the same direction each time and it's all I can do to stay organized.
I am about to go insane! the behavior is bad, and really the school is not so tough on the kids for their behavior. It makes it hard to teach, especially to ones who are falling really far behind.

[ernie54]

I understand where you are coming from. This is my first year teaching and I am teaching math to 8th graders who are below grade level. We use a scripted program and the students hate it. I also have some of the toughest kids in school. At least our school is strict but I am easygoing and it is hard for me to yell at the kids everyday like the other teachers do.

[zappagal]

I've always had problems dealing with life's difficult moments. Even as a kid I would get nervous and throw up. My mom would get mad at me and say it was all in my head. Now I am an adult and still suffer from the same problems. I am starting my 2nd year of teaching in just over 2 weeks. My first year of teaching was the most difficult year of my life. For months I would wake up too early with a sick feeling in my stomach. After some time that sick feeling went away once I got to school. I started taking Unisom or some other over the counter sleeping aid because I couldn't sleep through the night. I would wake up with diarrhea and dry heaves frequently. I tried to talk to myself and convince myself that nothing was wrong.
Well my first summer off has been bliss. I'm sleeping for hours and have no worries. Now school is right around the corner and my mind is starting to betray me. I woke up early today with the dry heaves. OH NO! How can I just get over it and live my life normally? I know I'm a good teacher so why can't I get up in the morning without wanting to die?

[SS Rocks!]

I've always had problems dealing with life's difficult moments. Even as a kid I would get nervous and throw up. My mom would get mad at me and say it was all in my head. Now I am an adult and still suffer from the same problems. I am starting my 2nd year of teaching in just over 2 weeks. My first year of teaching was the most difficult year of my life. For months I would wake up too early with a sick feeling in my stomach. After some time that sick feeling went away once I got to school. I started taking Unisom or some other over the counter sleeping aid because I couldn't sleep through the night. I would wake up with diarrhea and dry heaves frequently. I tried to talk to myself and convince myself that nothing was wrong.
Well my first summer off has been bliss. I'm sleeping for hours and have no worries. Now school is right around the corner and my mind is starting to betray me. I woke up early today with the dry heaves. OH NO! How can I just get over it and live my life normally? I know I'm a good teacher so why can't I get up in the morning without wanting to die?

I would seriously consider a visit to the doctor. My mother had some severe anxiety problems and the doctor was able to help her out. Perhaps they could suggest a medication to relieve some of the anxiety you feel during the school year.

Best wishes to you. :itsok:

[Boxcar]

I agree. It isn't okay to feel that anxious. It is bad for both your physical and psychological health. There is a difference between feeling nervous and feeling high anxiety. A qualified doctor can help you feel better.

[WGU Grad]

I suggest reading Harry Wong's excellent book 'The First Days of School.' Must reading for any new teacher, and for experienced teachers as well.

Read Harry's book, be yourself, trust your instincts, never let them see you sweat, and realize that it really does get better.

[hweber]

I agree with SS Rocks. A trip to the dr. might be in order to help you through.

[Mrs. Gangsta]

Remember that your students are probably more nervous than you are.

They need two things: structure and caring. They need to know you have parameters and that you are there teach them, not be their best friend. They also need to learn respect goes two ways - you give it, you get it.

They also need to know you show up every day because you care and want the very best for them. You are there to teach them how to dream. My mantra is: Dreams + Effort = Success. I am there to teach them the steps to achieve their goals.

I was a first year teacher last year - it was hard and wonderful at the same time. As a teacher I learned as much from my students as they learned from me...and I can't wait to start my 2nd year. Another thing: HAVE FUN! You can have fun and teach at the same time. Good Luck!

[bellamlopez]

I too have felt this overwhelming sense of anxiety. Intitally, I thought it was my environment as I was teaching in a girl's rehabilitation facility. Tough environment if you know what I mean. Anyhow, it came up again during my student teaching and again now that I have a full-time position. It is tough.

I wake up with anxiety and feel it over the weekend. Sometimes, it gets so bad I cry and can't seem to stop. Of course, I maintain my composure when I am teaching. It is highest in the morning when I wake up. Sometimes I get to the point I just want to walk in to the principals office and turn in my resignation. However, once the day gets started I tend to be okay. In terms of dealing with it, it seems it's just a matter of preparing well, good organization, giving myself time away from being a teacher over the weekend and during the weekday if possible by leaving the school for 30 minutes or so, networking with other teachers is a big one and just taking it a day at a time. I was told that drinking green tea helps with anxiety. I have only tried it a day or so. Honestly, a glass of wine seems to work quicker. ;)

Anyhow good luck! I know for myself, I need it if I am going to stay in this career.

[sciteach]

I am also a first year teacher and have had some extreme anxiety attacks as well. I also feel it especially when I wake up in the mornings and especially Sundays before the week starts. Its been 5 weeks into the school year and it doesn't seem to get better.
I just got into the profession over the summer and quickly got a position. I worked in the past 10 years in a profession that I knew and had few stresses, so this change is tremendously difficult.
I have pretty good kids, but there's something that I can't seem to pinpoint that is triggering my anxiety. There have been several times already when I was going to resign. Is there a productive way to curb this behavior? I don't think I can stand too much of this stress.

[hweber]

sciteach - do you have a mentor? If so talk to this person soon. If not, is there someone at the school you can talk to? The first year is always the hardest. You stated that you got into this profession over the summer - did you take any college courses to prepare you?

[sciteach]

i have a mentor and he's also a coach - so not too much available to speak with him outside of our planning period. i have talked to the other science mentor - I work at a small school and there's only 4 science teachers including me and another who is also a first yr. teacher. it has gotten a little better, but still don't have my footing in regards to the material preparation and classroom management. i try to be too lenient but i'm also scared to cross a line where i have to speak with parents and do referrals. perhaps that's a little naive but i just really want to be under the "radar" my first year. the parents are notorious for going against teachers and spoiling their kids (that's what I hear anyway). i did do a contract/syllabus, but have already gone against my "no late work policy" and i think my students can tell that i can be influenced since i give them lots of chances to do better (behavior wise). whats a good way to toughen up on them? i just feel weird about being the "mean teacher"...

[sciteach]

oh and i didn't take any college courses - i took an alternative certification program and they did a great job of some classroom management guidelines, but i don't seem to use them as they had advised. i worried about being inconsistent and have accepted some behavior just to get through some of my classes. they definitely would not have approved...i have a hard time redirecting off-topic questions which leads to more conversations and then the kids are not focused any more. any suggestions on those types of situations?

[hweber]

As for the off topic questions, I think every teacher gets them. I have talked to my kids about filters between their thoughts and their mouths. I demonstrated that a coffee filter keeps the grounds out of the coffee cup, so a filter between their head and mouth is there to keep the off-topic questions or statements out of the class. They can tell me during recess or lunch if they want to or remember!

[swoodsby]

I have anxiety bad and twice I have turned down a job at the last minute due to the anxiety. I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I work as an assistant now, I just lack confidence. I am beginning to believe I may never make it into the classroom.

[swoodsby]

I too have severe anxiety... I have turned down 2 jobs because at the last minute I would let the position get to me and the anxiety would over come. I don't know what to do, I have worked as an assistant for 3 years now and I love working with the kids but for whatever reason when I get the job I break down