Free Advice: Utah Teachers Don’t Have To Know All

It seems like no matter our career choice we all have chances to be teachers at some point or another.

Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to teach in different capacities. I taught a career rehab computer tech class at Conroe University in Texas, improv comedy classes on a High School level in Las Vegas as well as teacher development courses on classroom discipline anywhere they would have me. You would think that with all those opportunities I would get good at teaching, but it is an uncomfortable venue for me.

Why? Well, here is my dirty little secret, despite my preparation there is some corner of the subject that is unfamiliar to me. I am afraid that a student will ask a question to which I don’t have the answer. Now, before you think I am being paranoid I often find myself in a situation where I feel like I am staring at the group with a “stag admiring the latest headlight models at dusk” look on my face.

I suspect I am not the only one who feels uncomfortable being an authority in a room of students so perhaps this piece of advice will help you too. I read an article from a Utah teacher that admitted that this was such a stress for her that she had removed herself from the classroom.

Read More: Startling Utahns: Navajo Teacher says Horses Here Before Spaniards

It wasn’t until later that a secret was shared with her, “it is perfectly reasonable to admit you don’t know an answer”. This simple truth relieved her (and later me) from the pressure of being the answer for every situation. I have since been taught that it is also OK to respond that even if you don’t know an answer that you will find it for future classes.

Hopefully this helps you as you are asked in any capacity to teach.