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• Humility and humor go a long way. While each person will eventually find his or her own style of teaching, certain things may be useful to almost everyone. Two of these, humility and humor, are highly useful. If being humorous feels comfortable to you, then go for it, just do not over do it. If you are not a humorous person, do not try to be, you will just look silly.

• Humility means sharing some of your own human frailties, weaknesses, and mistakes. We all have weaknesses. When you show that you are not afraid to admit yours, you create a safe, intimate climate where others may acknowledge their own shortcomings as well. Again, do not over do it. Being humble in front of others makes you more credible, more believable, and more respected. People may connect with you more easily because you are "one of them" instead of an expert who is better than they are. It also sets a tone of honesty and self-acceptance, which people recognize in themselves as well. If you are not humble, do not try to be. True humility is easily distinguished from the pretense of acting humble. If you pretend, the class will perceive it and lose respect for you.

• Nothing "bad" will happen to you. Nothing awful, terrible, or humiliating will happen. At the worst, you may stumble on some words or loose you train of thought for a second. Just say something humorous about it, forget it, and move on.

• Keep control of the class. No matter what happens you must control the class. Even if you are stumbling in your presentation, do not let some mouthy students take control of the class. They may just be trying to be funny or maybe even trying to be helpful, but you have to keep them in check.

• In general, the more you prepare the worse you will do. Preparation is useful but how you prepare and how much time you need to spend on preparation is a different matter. Do not over prepare. Have a general direction for conducting the class and some alternative directions that depend on the rank composition of the class. Then rely on your experience and training. You would not have been selected as an instructor if you instructor did not think you could handle it. You will not be great the first time out, but you will improve each time you teach.

• The class truly wants you to succeed. Most of them know the feeling of having to speak before a group. They know you, and they are probably your friends; so they feel for you. They will admire your courage and will be on your side, no matter what happens.

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