I has social anxiety 10 years ago and I overcome it fully 5 years ago by talking in the street. My anxiety turned back when I started to teach in a secondary school 5 years ago. The students talked in my class and never listen to me. I felt very anxious and I have nervous break down during the class. When I taught, I felt like I was talking to the air ignoring the response of the students. This feeling was very scary.

After I finished my one year teaching, I cannot control my anxiety anymore. Thanks to this program, after I found it one month ago, my anxiety improved very much and I am now in lesson 4.

I taught in a computer class since last Wed. This is an adult class. The students has discipline. However, the students may not be paying a lot of attention to me since they are always looking at their computer screen. When I talked in class, I felt like talking to the air again. The feeling is like I talk in an empty classroom. After each class, when I talk to people, I felt like I am not present and I don't know where my mind goes and I don't know how to response to others.

Could you tell me if there is any way to relieve me from this kind of feeling during class?

I am a high school teacher who has been teaching for 13 years. I too struggle with anxiety. The thing that has helped me the most is interjecting humor when I am teaching, singing out of the blue and just trying to make my class fun for the students while hammering home the lesson. Hope this helps you. I know where you're coming from.

I am awaiting the program in the mail and I hope it improves my anxiety.

Rocky-Clay, I too, was/am a teacher. I think all of us have had the experiences you describe...I must admit my time in the classroom was long ago and in a time when throwing an eraser was enough to strike fear in small hearts. Today? Probably wouldn't make a dent.

Clay has a great point-the kids you are teaching grew up with very active, busy, colorful lessons on TV-tough for us to compete with. I tried to move a lotacross the front of room, up and down isles... and snap questions and call on students until I got the answer. I had illustrations and had them act out a play illustrating the lesson-after I taught it. I had them moving a bit (start a story on paper-just one sentence- move to the next desk and add a second sentence... Had them make up songs and sing them...

I guess the bottom line is to keep them engaged...I believe your techniques will evolve as you continue. Talk with experienced teachers, go to seminars, Develop YOUR self esteem. Show your students you care about them and how they benefit from listening.

I highly recommend the Dale Carnegie course! It helps with speaking, self esteem, and stress management. Some colleges count it for credits.

when interacting after class...focus on what the other person is saying. Respond with open ended statements...get out of your own head and listen. Other focused will help immensely.

my very best to all, Carolyn

Clay, I served as a training specialist and a training supervisor for over 15 years at a Fortune 500 Company. I understand completely where you are coming from. Despite the best planning (curriculum design, activities, and engaging presentations) our minds are more capable of doing multiple things in this "multi-tasking world in which we now live." I am very well instructed in androgy and adult learning theory. I have learned to start each class with an expectations exchange. For example, what the students expect from me as an instructor, then I share with the them what I expect from them as students. Despite the concrete-theoretical studies regarding adult learning styles, they sometimes act like children Your job is to teach and they are required to learn. In computer training, there were times I just had to say, okay...everyone turn of your monitor for it is discussion time. Best of luck

Thanks for your response. I think I should ask the question in a more precise way.

I had taught the same computer class before I find this program. The situation was worse. I felt very nervous. I continue to talk even I felt nervous and I become more and more nervous as I continue to talk. I felt muscle tension in my head and I don't know how to react to students' response.

After I found the program, I learned the positive self talk to calm myself. I use this skill when I stand in front of the class and before I start talking. The muscle tension is not as serious now. I felt like I am more in control. However, I feel no pressure at all now when students are focusing on the computer and do not listen to me. Sometimes, I don't think they are trying to ignore me. Some of them are really working on the stuff I told them to do that they are focusing to do it. Therefore, I don't have chance to listen to me.

The question I have now is as follows: I had taught computer class in university before I taught in that secondary school and had that terrible experience. In those period, even I experience the same thing I have today (students sometimes focusing on their computer instead of me), I would not have that "talking to the air" feeling. Actually, teaching and public speaking was the way that relieve me from anxiety. When I face the same situation now, I would be nervous or feel like talking to the air. Everything is the same except myself. I am afraid that there is attitude thing that I need to adjust on my anxiety.

For example, before I find this program, facing the same students, I felt muscle tension in my head and I was very afraid that I would embarrass myself. After I learned the positive self talk, I feel more in control now. Everything is the same except my attitude. I don't know if there is anything that I can adjust further on my attitude so that I can relieve myself from the "talking to the air" feeling.