Fear of assemblies/public speaking

[Suttonstracke]

I love teaching but the one thing that scares me and that I’ve managed to avoid is leading assemblies. However, I have one coming up which I can’t avoid (and actually want to do it to try and get over the fear). Anyone have a similar fear over public speaking and managed to get over it in a school setting? Any tips? Or just sympathy over the fact I’m already losing sleep over it?!

Why does it scare you ? Just try to relax, be yourself and pretend you’re speaking to a smaller group of friends / family / your class? I think if you think about what you’re actually doing you will be overwhelmed , just try to be natural about it.

I’ve just always hated talking in front of adults. I can do 100 kids but the minute there’s an adult in the room I clam up. Our school assemblies have all the staff plus lots of parents - argh. I’m determined to get through it but I think I’ll be waking up in a panic every night until then.

Just pretend you’re taking to the children. Try to ignore the adults and definitely don’t make eye contact.

I am just like you @Suttonstracke. My advice is just to be prepared and have a second plan if things go wrong (e.g.technical issues). Having a backup plan always puts my mind at ease. Also talk to your colleagues about it, having positive mental support could help boost your confidence. Hope that helps :)

I lead assemblies all the time and I still get nervous in case I mess up. Prepare well and fake confidence. No one will know you are trembling inside. Develop your own style and be genuine.Say what you would like to hear if you were in the audience. Channel your nerves to help you to focus better.Run through it in your head or have a practice the night before. I now quite enjoy them but Idon’t put too much pressure on myself either…I’m not running for a BAFTA!!

My GP prescribed me Propranolol (it's a beta blocker) to use as and when to help with this.