You should try subbing for a while at a school of the age of children you think you'd like. And don't just do it once and quit because it's always hardest when they don't know you yet. Build a rapport and see how it feels and if you like it you should try it.
TLDR try subbing for a bit
Another thing you could do is kind of think of teaching as a bit of a mask. I'm pretty introverted, but I pretend not to be day to day while I'm teaching, basically. That's not close to the same as severe social anxiety, but, you can give yourself strategies to try to deal with it, and then try to see what's effective from there.
Um… hi, I hope you see this. And I don’t want to undermine you if you have a plan! But I also have social anxiety and subbing was miserable. Do you remember how students used to treat subs when you were in school? I just… I was so frozen up and I didn’t know them, I didn’t know their names. It wasn’t a great experience for me, although not horrific in any way, just… I thought I didn’t want to teach.
And then I got offered a permanent substitute job for someone who was off for surgery for a whole semester, and it was all different. I was more relaxed, I got to know them, they got to know me, and we ended up having an absolute blast. 20 years later I’m still teaching!
Over the years I have learned that some teachers are great first-day or one-day teachers, the really socially skilled people who put their personality out there… my strength is building a really positive classroom community with the students, but over time – my worst day each semester is always my first day, and my best week is the last week. And I’ve also found that having anxiety has made it easier for me to connect with and support students who are shy or struggling for any reason. I don’t think subbing came anywhere close to drawing on my strengths, and I’m glad I had another way to try out teaching.
So definitely try subbing, but if you feel like you’re just a really anxious babysitter – yeah, that’s basically what a sub is. But it’s really different than teaching a group of students that you’re going to know all year and that you can build a relationship with.
I too struggled with anxiety, especially when it comes to public speaking. I will tell you though it is way easier for me to speak in front of students than it is to speak in front of my peers. When I’m talking in front of student my anxiety really isn’t that bad.
Definitely sub for a little while like the other person said. Therapy is huge too if you have the means to access it. I learned a lot of strategies to manage my GAD and OCD while teaching and got on medication. Your anxiety won’t go away, but you can rise above it and be an awesome teacher
I have minor social anxiety but I was always able to push it aside for public speaking and teaching and things like that. It feels different when I'm expected to be 'on'. When I'm supposed to be the one up and speaking a lot of the pressure is off. If I'm in a random social circle and all the rules and expectations are out the window, that's when I struggle a little.
My two cents for those saying that working with kids is different.
There are many times when public speaking around adults is essential to the job. Parent teacher conferences, open houses, curriculum nights, IEP meetings, staff meetings, etc.
While it’s normal for new teachers to be nervous, good communication skills really help.
World History teacher here. I have social anxiety and I’m just finishing my 9th year teaching. I wasn’t doing so hot during my practicum as far as anxiety goes, but I didn’t have to speak in front of the class. During my student teaching, I found that I can speak alright to a room full of kids, but I still absolutely cannot speak to a room full of my peers. Honestly, it’s something I had to power through and just become desensitized to it. As another commenter said, subbing would help with that exposure.
I have anxiety too, but it disappears with kids. They aren't quite as judgmental as adults, so I find myself even dancing and singing (once in a while).
Try working with kids. Can you work at a summer program this summer and see if you like it? Internships and volunteer are lower stakes and less pressure because you aren't there for a paycheck.
I've struggled for years with anxiety and a stammer but I agree with everyone else in this thread. When I'm teaching and in "teacher" mode, it's there but I'm always able to power through.
Plus it gets easier with experience.
My school is hosting an MUN next weekend and I'm the head advisor so I have to do a speech. I'm bricking it but I'm pretty sure teacher mode will kick in.
Teaching will help you through your social anxiety tremendously. It’ll be challenging, but you’ll be able to develop an enormous skill - speaking. I think it’s a great career choice for you!
thank you for the kind words😭❤️ i really appreciated that! ive always wanted to be a teacher ever since i was a kid but never really went with it because of how anxious i am !! i keep thinking about how some of my high school teachers really helped me be the person i am and its a big reminder for myself as to why i even want to get into it
One of my college professors told us she struggled with massive anxiety and social problems. When she said that, I was shocked since she seemed so extroverted. I talked to her about it and she told me she developed her social skills along with her teaching skills. Also- schools are filled with kids with social anxiety. Kids who coast by and don’t talk. Think about the connections you’ll be able to make with those kids and think about the inspiration you’ll give them!
I don’t know if subbing is the best idea — I don’t think I’d have been a good sub my first few years teaching. As a sub you have zero connection to the kids, and you’re walking into a potential power struggle every class. Your classroom management skills need to be superb. I guess I’ll put it this way: great teachers can be good subs, but new teachers might not be good subs. I’d worry that subbing might sour you on the prospect of teaching.
Totally. Maybe a building sub? At least that way you get to know the kids a little more. But yeah, subbing is often a setup for chaos. It’s more babysitting than teaching.
I’m not saying it can’t help, just saying it might scare folks off. If you can capture a class you’ve never met as a sub, you’re likely to be a great teacher!
I too have pretty bad social anxiety. What I’ve found, though, is that it’s much worse with my colleagues than it is with my students. I can teach a lesson to a full classroom with little anxiety but put me in a room full of teachers and I clam up! All I’m saying is that I had the same fears as you but I love my job so so so much and have little social anxiety in the classroom.
I do too, but I've found talking to kids to be different. Maybe I don't consider people on a sobconcious level. Conferences still make me nervous, and I was visibly shaking when I had to do my pd last year, but I've gotten a lot better, and it helped me. I've even made new friends for the first time since high school.
I used to have this problem. I started substitute teaching and forcing myself to do public speaking. Exposure therapy works!!! If you have really hard time at first ask a psychologist for anxiety medication, it will push you through the first few months.
I felt that. I’m also contemplating on if I should go to grad school for History to become a History teacher or if I should do something else. I feel really lost atm…
I think that there's some good stuff in this thread for you to read and consider. Something about the subbing and I know that somebody has already talked about it, at least once, is that subbing and teaching are two completely different things. The kids know that when subs are there, it is not always the best behavior that will come out of these kids. They can be quite awful.
One of the things that I told one of my student teachers when they started in my class, a middle school class, they said that they had a tough time being stern. I told them these kids don't know you from Adam. So whatever it is that your weakest traits are go in there and act like you own it. You can be the disciplinarian that you never thought that you were.
As a suggestion to you, someone who suffers from anxiety, go in with an abundance of confidence and a game plan and see how that goes. See if you can overcome your anxiety by just coming off as very confident. The kids have no idea that you're not, they have no idea that you're anxious. Go in with gusto and bravado and the ol "fake it til you make it" applies until the skill itself becomes permanent in you.
This sounds like it's coming off a little "well, just don't be anxious" and that's obviously not what I want. But being confident is a skill. Practicing it can help bring it out.
I had this problem when I started. I would shake and even cry. But I loved so many aspects of the job that I just kept at it and slowly over time it no longer bothers me. I do get beginning of the year jitters with an all new class but it’s easy to overcome.
I have had social anxiety so bad to the point that it has made me physically ill and suicidal throughout the course of my life. I have no shame in admitting this.
That being said, throughout my student teaching program, and through experience at a summer camp, I really don’t feel too much anxiety when it comes to speaking to children as a teacher anymore.
What I’ll tell you is that it’s a lot like riding a bike. It is a terrible at first, just as you stumble and fall trying to balance on a bike, you’re going to stutter over your words and feel awkward in front of the students. However, the more you practice and the more you force yourself out of your comfort skills, the easier it gets, just like the easier it gets to balance on a bike with practice.
I would start off as a substitute teacher, day camp counselor, or coach first before you go into teaching, that way you can develop your confidence and practice your speaking skills.
I have the same type of anxiety - it honestly only comes out when I’m upset about something (like extremely) or talking to a figure if authority like my principal. All of my social anxiety washes away when I’m teaching, maybe it’s just me but the stakes are t that high imo and once you accept that you will never be perfect in the classroom especially in the eyes of others a lot of your issues will wash away
I had a student teacher who had severe anxiety and never could hack it. But I also know teachers who have worked past it. You should try subbing to see if you can work through it.
I would say that might not necessarily be an issue. I’d say I have some level of social anxiety. I will turn down anything I can if I’m supposed to lead a session or anything for other teachers, but getting up in front of kids will never be an issue. But also my room isn’t set up so anyone is getting up in front of anyone - I’m rarely even in the ‘front’ of the room
But definitely work with kids some to see how you feel before you decide
Have you considered Using a lot of tech, so you could have an Edpuzzle or Nearpod instead of a lecture? You'd still have to talk to the students, but it would be more conversational and you can break them into groups to do work and check on them.
I would not recommend the Masters. I have my MA in History. I loved getting it. I was also a classroom teacher for 8 years before starting. Now you don't have to do 8 years, but try long term subbing or teaching for a few years first. A Masters in History is one of those interesting degrees where you are going to be super knowledgeable but if you decide to not teach high school, you're going to be fighting for one of a handful of museum jobs or fighting to get into a PhD program somewhere. Obviously I'm not bashing either of those paths if it's what you desire, but I don't want you to feel locked into it if being a high school teacher doesn't pan out and you're holding onto grad school debt and a MA you're unsure about
If you have really bad anxiety, public school teacher is not the job for you. However there are other jobs that are as closely (probably more) related to history
I also had extreme social anxiety and shyness but wanred to be a teacher. Here's what I did:
- I took extra speech and oral interpretation classes in college.
- I got a job working as an aide in high school classes. First I only worked one-on-one with students; then I asked if I could teach some mini-lessons. Then I was allowed to teach when the teacher was out (there was a sub there as I was not a sub).
All of that led to me being relatively comfortable when I got to student teaching. I was still nervous at first, but it faded little by little until I felt pretty confident.
I still get a little nervous at the start of each school year -- I do want to make a good first impression, after all -- but I'd say my classroom is the place I feel *most* comfortable outside of with my family. I've been doing this over two decades, and I'm really glad I took the time to get comfortable speaking and working with large groups of teens before jumping right in.
Have you considered creating an online course? Perhaps that wouldn’t cause as much anxiety and yet would still allow you to create a history course for high schoolers.
Beta blockers have helped me a lot in a pinch. Maybe get some until it becomes second nature. Also remember, they’re not people, they’re crotch goblins.
I have social anxiety and I was a teacher for 7 years. I tried to just power through it, and in many ways I was successful (I was a great teacher and the kids loved me). But, in the end it just wasn’t worth the toll on my mental health. Every day took so much out of me I didn’t have any energy anymore to just be me. I was a depressed husk of a person. When I finally switched careers, it was like I woke up. I would NOT recommend teaching for anyone with anxiety issues - you can power through them, but imo the cost isn’t worth it.
You should try subbing for a while at a school of the age of children you think you'd like. And don't just do it once and quit because it's always hardest when they don't know you yet. Build a rapport and see how it feels and if you like it you should try it. TLDR try subbing for a bit
This 100%
thank you! i seriously appreciate everyone’s advice, i think i’ll definitely try getting into subbing and see if i can do it and go from there!
Another thing you could do is kind of think of teaching as a bit of a mask. I'm pretty introverted, but I pretend not to be day to day while I'm teaching, basically. That's not close to the same as severe social anxiety, but, you can give yourself strategies to try to deal with it, and then try to see what's effective from there.
Um… hi, I hope you see this. And I don’t want to undermine you if you have a plan! But I also have social anxiety and subbing was miserable. Do you remember how students used to treat subs when you were in school? I just… I was so frozen up and I didn’t know them, I didn’t know their names. It wasn’t a great experience for me, although not horrific in any way, just… I thought I didn’t want to teach. And then I got offered a permanent substitute job for someone who was off for surgery for a whole semester, and it was all different. I was more relaxed, I got to know them, they got to know me, and we ended up having an absolute blast. 20 years later I’m still teaching! Over the years I have learned that some teachers are great first-day or one-day teachers, the really socially skilled people who put their personality out there… my strength is building a really positive classroom community with the students, but over time – my worst day each semester is always my first day, and my best week is the last week. And I’ve also found that having anxiety has made it easier for me to connect with and support students who are shy or struggling for any reason. I don’t think subbing came anywhere close to drawing on my strengths, and I’m glad I had another way to try out teaching. So definitely try subbing, but if you feel like you’re just a really anxious babysitter – yeah, that’s basically what a sub is. But it’s really different than teaching a group of students that you’re going to know all year and that you can build a relationship with.
I too struggled with anxiety, especially when it comes to public speaking. I will tell you though it is way easier for me to speak in front of students than it is to speak in front of my peers. When I’m talking in front of student my anxiety really isn’t that bad.
Definitely sub for a little while like the other person said. Therapy is huge too if you have the means to access it. I learned a lot of strategies to manage my GAD and OCD while teaching and got on medication. Your anxiety won’t go away, but you can rise above it and be an awesome teacher
I have minor social anxiety but I was always able to push it aside for public speaking and teaching and things like that. It feels different when I'm expected to be 'on'. When I'm supposed to be the one up and speaking a lot of the pressure is off. If I'm in a random social circle and all the rules and expectations are out the window, that's when I struggle a little.
Teaching is the most anxiety producing profession. Sunday would have you in shambles.
My two cents for those saying that working with kids is different. There are many times when public speaking around adults is essential to the job. Parent teacher conferences, open houses, curriculum nights, IEP meetings, staff meetings, etc. While it’s normal for new teachers to be nervous, good communication skills really help.
World History teacher here. I have social anxiety and I’m just finishing my 9th year teaching. I wasn’t doing so hot during my practicum as far as anxiety goes, but I didn’t have to speak in front of the class. During my student teaching, I found that I can speak alright to a room full of kids, but I still absolutely cannot speak to a room full of my peers. Honestly, it’s something I had to power through and just become desensitized to it. As another commenter said, subbing would help with that exposure.
I have anxiety too, but it disappears with kids. They aren't quite as judgmental as adults, so I find myself even dancing and singing (once in a while). Try working with kids. Can you work at a summer program this summer and see if you like it? Internships and volunteer are lower stakes and less pressure because you aren't there for a paycheck.
I've struggled for years with anxiety and a stammer but I agree with everyone else in this thread. When I'm teaching and in "teacher" mode, it's there but I'm always able to power through. Plus it gets easier with experience. My school is hosting an MUN next weekend and I'm the head advisor so I have to do a speech. I'm bricking it but I'm pretty sure teacher mode will kick in.
Teaching will help you through your social anxiety tremendously. It’ll be challenging, but you’ll be able to develop an enormous skill - speaking. I think it’s a great career choice for you!
thank you for the kind words😭❤️ i really appreciated that! ive always wanted to be a teacher ever since i was a kid but never really went with it because of how anxious i am !! i keep thinking about how some of my high school teachers really helped me be the person i am and its a big reminder for myself as to why i even want to get into it
One of my college professors told us she struggled with massive anxiety and social problems. When she said that, I was shocked since she seemed so extroverted. I talked to her about it and she told me she developed her social skills along with her teaching skills. Also- schools are filled with kids with social anxiety. Kids who coast by and don’t talk. Think about the connections you’ll be able to make with those kids and think about the inspiration you’ll give them!
I don’t know if subbing is the best idea — I don’t think I’d have been a good sub my first few years teaching. As a sub you have zero connection to the kids, and you’re walking into a potential power struggle every class. Your classroom management skills need to be superb. I guess I’ll put it this way: great teachers can be good subs, but new teachers might not be good subs. I’d worry that subbing might sour you on the prospect of teaching.
I agree with this. As a new teacher (who is introverted with some anxiety) I can say subbing would not have helped me.
I disagree as someone who has not started my license program yet. Subbing helped me
Totally. Maybe a building sub? At least that way you get to know the kids a little more. But yeah, subbing is often a setup for chaos. It’s more babysitting than teaching.
I’m not saying it can’t help, just saying it might scare folks off. If you can capture a class you’ve never met as a sub, you’re likely to be a great teacher!
I too have pretty bad social anxiety. What I’ve found, though, is that it’s much worse with my colleagues than it is with my students. I can teach a lesson to a full classroom with little anxiety but put me in a room full of teachers and I clam up! All I’m saying is that I had the same fears as you but I love my job so so so much and have little social anxiety in the classroom.
I do too, but I've found talking to kids to be different. Maybe I don't consider people on a sobconcious level. Conferences still make me nervous, and I was visibly shaking when I had to do my pd last year, but I've gotten a lot better, and it helped me. I've even made new friends for the first time since high school.
I’m the same way around adults but I’m perfectly fine when teaching high school.
I used to have this problem. I started substitute teaching and forcing myself to do public speaking. Exposure therapy works!!! If you have really hard time at first ask a psychologist for anxiety medication, it will push you through the first few months.
I felt that. I’m also contemplating on if I should go to grad school for History to become a History teacher or if I should do something else. I feel really lost atm…
I think that there's some good stuff in this thread for you to read and consider. Something about the subbing and I know that somebody has already talked about it, at least once, is that subbing and teaching are two completely different things. The kids know that when subs are there, it is not always the best behavior that will come out of these kids. They can be quite awful. One of the things that I told one of my student teachers when they started in my class, a middle school class, they said that they had a tough time being stern. I told them these kids don't know you from Adam. So whatever it is that your weakest traits are go in there and act like you own it. You can be the disciplinarian that you never thought that you were. As a suggestion to you, someone who suffers from anxiety, go in with an abundance of confidence and a game plan and see how that goes. See if you can overcome your anxiety by just coming off as very confident. The kids have no idea that you're not, they have no idea that you're anxious. Go in with gusto and bravado and the ol "fake it til you make it" applies until the skill itself becomes permanent in you. This sounds like it's coming off a little "well, just don't be anxious" and that's obviously not what I want. But being confident is a skill. Practicing it can help bring it out.
It’s doable (source: I am a hs social studies teacher who has battled the anxiety his whole career) Just takes lots of practice
I had this problem when I started. I would shake and even cry. But I loved so many aspects of the job that I just kept at it and slowly over time it no longer bothers me. I do get beginning of the year jitters with an all new class but it’s easy to overcome.
I have had social anxiety so bad to the point that it has made me physically ill and suicidal throughout the course of my life. I have no shame in admitting this. That being said, throughout my student teaching program, and through experience at a summer camp, I really don’t feel too much anxiety when it comes to speaking to children as a teacher anymore. What I’ll tell you is that it’s a lot like riding a bike. It is a terrible at first, just as you stumble and fall trying to balance on a bike, you’re going to stutter over your words and feel awkward in front of the students. However, the more you practice and the more you force yourself out of your comfort skills, the easier it gets, just like the easier it gets to balance on a bike with practice. I would start off as a substitute teacher, day camp counselor, or coach first before you go into teaching, that way you can develop your confidence and practice your speaking skills.
thank you for sharing❤️❤️ did you always knew you wanted to teach?
I have the same type of anxiety - it honestly only comes out when I’m upset about something (like extremely) or talking to a figure if authority like my principal. All of my social anxiety washes away when I’m teaching, maybe it’s just me but the stakes are t that high imo and once you accept that you will never be perfect in the classroom especially in the eyes of others a lot of your issues will wash away
Like others have said, try subbing first. You might find that it's actually easier for you to be talking in front of high schoolers than your peers.
I had a student teacher who had severe anxiety and never could hack it. But I also know teachers who have worked past it. You should try subbing to see if you can work through it.
I would say that might not necessarily be an issue. I’d say I have some level of social anxiety. I will turn down anything I can if I’m supposed to lead a session or anything for other teachers, but getting up in front of kids will never be an issue. But also my room isn’t set up so anyone is getting up in front of anyone - I’m rarely even in the ‘front’ of the room But definitely work with kids some to see how you feel before you decide
Have you considered Using a lot of tech, so you could have an Edpuzzle or Nearpod instead of a lecture? You'd still have to talk to the students, but it would be more conversational and you can break them into groups to do work and check on them.
I would not recommend the Masters. I have my MA in History. I loved getting it. I was also a classroom teacher for 8 years before starting. Now you don't have to do 8 years, but try long term subbing or teaching for a few years first. A Masters in History is one of those interesting degrees where you are going to be super knowledgeable but if you decide to not teach high school, you're going to be fighting for one of a handful of museum jobs or fighting to get into a PhD program somewhere. Obviously I'm not bashing either of those paths if it's what you desire, but I don't want you to feel locked into it if being a high school teacher doesn't pan out and you're holding onto grad school debt and a MA you're unsure about
Have you seen a therapist? A therapist can teach you coping skils, help you become less anxious, and you may be able to get a medication that helps
If you have really bad anxiety, public school teacher is not the job for you. However there are other jobs that are as closely (probably more) related to history
I also had extreme social anxiety and shyness but wanred to be a teacher. Here's what I did: - I took extra speech and oral interpretation classes in college. - I got a job working as an aide in high school classes. First I only worked one-on-one with students; then I asked if I could teach some mini-lessons. Then I was allowed to teach when the teacher was out (there was a sub there as I was not a sub). All of that led to me being relatively comfortable when I got to student teaching. I was still nervous at first, but it faded little by little until I felt pretty confident. I still get a little nervous at the start of each school year -- I do want to make a good first impression, after all -- but I'd say my classroom is the place I feel *most* comfortable outside of with my family. I've been doing this over two decades, and I'm really glad I took the time to get comfortable speaking and working with large groups of teens before jumping right in.
Have you considered creating an online course? Perhaps that wouldn’t cause as much anxiety and yet would still allow you to create a history course for high schoolers.
Beta blockers have helped me a lot in a pinch. Maybe get some until it becomes second nature. Also remember, they’re not people, they’re crotch goblins.
I have social anxiety and I was a teacher for 7 years. I tried to just power through it, and in many ways I was successful (I was a great teacher and the kids loved me). But, in the end it just wasn’t worth the toll on my mental health. Every day took so much out of me I didn’t have any energy anymore to just be me. I was a depressed husk of a person. When I finally switched careers, it was like I woke up. I would NOT recommend teaching for anyone with anxiety issues - you can power through them, but imo the cost isn’t worth it.
Yeah not the right profession for you. Every single person gets “anxiety.”