I’m going to be honest with you all… There are times when the thought of becoming a teacher scares the crap out of me. There are so many things that could go wrong. I could teach a lesson completely wrong. I could teach a lesson correctly, but what if none of my students understand? What if all the students turn against me and I have to barricade myself behind my desk?

OK, may the last scenario was a little far fetched (fingers crossed), but nonetheless, these thoughts run through my mind. This led me to wonder if anyone else felt this way before becoming a teacher. A post on teaching.monster.com gave me the relief I was looking for; there are other people out there with teaching anxiety! In fact, they posted a list of 15 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Becoming a Teacher:

1. Relating to every student takes research.
2. Be Prepared for anything and everything to happen on your watch.
3. Student teaching may not completely prepare you for your own classroom.
4.What you want to teach may not be in demand when you look for a job.
5.Working with parents is hard.
6. Your principal can be your greatest ally or biggest enemy.
7. More degrees mean more pay.
8. Earning the respect of students is hard work: the older the students, the harder the work.
9. Getting supplies for class is sometimes impossible unless you spend your own money.
10. The day before a vacation day brings back child-like excitement.
11. You’ll make some of your best friends teaching in a school.
12. The internet is your friend.
13. Only someone who’s been alone in a classroom full of students can appreciate exactly what your job is like.
14. A note of thanks from a parent or student will mean more than any gift.
15. Students are amazing creatures.

While I know there are going to be times when I completely doubt myself and my teaching abilities, I know that this is normal for a teacher. In hindsight, I’m sure it helps to keep teachers on their toes, bettering themselves for the sake of their students.