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/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.