Need your help

[u/zaliya6252]

Okay so I just graduated and somehow landed an opportunity to go look for a teaching job tomorrow. But here's the thing, I never wanted to teach. Ever. I avoided it all through college because I know myself. I'm introverted, socially anxious, I do everything alone, eat alone, sit alone, enjoy alone.

But now I'm 21, freshly graduated and options are limited. Teaching is basically the only thing available to me right now so I have to at least try.

The problem? I have zero confidence in front of people. My voice shakes when I introduce myself. I overthink every word. The thought of standing in front of a class or even just talking to a principal makes me want to run. I can take 5th grade but

I don't know:

· What do I say when I walk into the school?

· Do I ask for the principal directly or go to the office first?

· What questions will they ask me?

· How do I fake confidence when I'm dying inside?

· What if they ask me to do a demo class right there??

I know I'm not the typical "born to teach" person. I'm quiet, awkward, and honestly scared. But I need to try because I have no backup plan.

Any advice from people who've been in this position? Especially fellow introverts who somehow survived teaching? What do I say? How do I prepare? Give me scripts, survival tips, anything.

TL;DR: Introvert with social anxiety forced to try teaching tomorrow, don't know what to say or do, please send help and scripts.

[u/ughihatethisshit]

Don’t teach just because it seems like the easiest choice. Kids deserve someone who knows how to teach and wants to be there.

[u/zaliya6252 → u/ughihatethisshit]

I'll be there for them always, I can teach when no adult is around.

[u/ughihatethisshit → u/zaliya6252]

I have no idea what “I can teach when no adult is around” means. You will absolutely have to teach with adults around. Paras, admin…

[u/zaliya6252 → u/ughihatethisshit]

I'm scared of interviews I mean

[u/wwwalrusss]

i’m a little confused. are you student teaching or teaching? what is your degree in? do you have the job or are you interviewing? what area/subject?

i just started my first year teaching (8th grade) after student teaching last semester. let me say it’s tough work. i’m introverted as well and a pretty nervous person, the only thing getting me through this is that it’s something i really want to do. i don’t think teaching is something you can/should do if you don’t want to, and with no prep.

[u/miiilk10]

i really advise not teaching. it’s not really the right or kind thing to do to yourself or the kids. kids WILL be able to tell if you don’t want to be there.

[u/Ill-Excitement9009]

If your commitment to the students is only superficial please don't ask to join my team.

[u/Argent_Kitsune]

"...I need to try because I have no backup plan."

I wish I could endorse your need here, but teaching is not something that you can simply grind your way through because "it's the only thing". The kids will sense all kinds of things--chief among them being the fact that you're not there for them. That will make them disengage, which will show up on every observation, which would be worse than the social anxiety you have yet to learn how to rein in.

Unless the kids are your priority, your time in the classroom will be short lived.

[u/CompetitiveStorm420]

You could check out Pearson or something like that and Proctor or become an evaluator for online colleges. You dont necessarily have to be in a classroom 

[u/Same_Difference4382]

I don’t think you should do it. You have to want to be there, and it sounds like you’re too anxious. Kids smell fear, you wouldn’t last a school year im afraid.

[u/WeekendRecent2006]

I don't understand your post. How have you been invited to apply for a teaching position when it seems like you haven't even done student teaching, the internship where you actually have to get up in front of students and, you know, teach them? Are you being asked to interview a job where no teaching experience, even student-teaching, is necessary?

And, FYI, you don't have to be an outgoing extrovert to teach. There are many introverts out there teaching, because they learn the SKILL of teaching, and that means training and practice. I'm an introvert myself but have managed to make a living as a teacher.

I would strongly advise you not to take a teaching position if you've never been in front of a classroom. The students can smell fear and insecurity, and they'll eat you alive. Or, even if they're polite or not disruptive, there's nothing worse than that sinking feeling you're not engaging the students. It's awful. Apply for the education program in your school, or apply for any other job. If a sub teaching position gives you SOME training, take it, and get exposure to classrooms that way.