I hate speaking in front of people. I tend to be that person in class who looks like they know the answer or has a thought, but wouldn’t share it with the class if they were paid to. Sometimes it has to do with the professor. You know the type. They feel that they know everything there is to know about the subject, so when a student gives their opinion, the professor instinctively shoots them down. Other times, it’s the students themselves that make the classroom environment uncomfortable; in this situation, they are the ones who are disrespectful of the thoughts and ideas of others.
I didn’t always feel this way; I participated in elocution contests for years while in elementary and middle school. I loved the feeling of entertaining a crowd, the sight of my teachers laughing hysterically at the Roald Dahl poem I had worked to memorize, and the pride I felt if I ended up winning the event. In the middle of eighth grade, I moved, leaving a small private school where I knew everyone and entering a larger public school where I didn’t know a soul.
My fear of speaking up continued through the two different high schools I attended, and into my college years. It was not until my junior year that I decided to take a course in public speaking. I had no real expectations for the class; I just hoped that the professor was nice and that I might actually get over some of my fears. I was fortunate enough to have Carla Grantham as my professor. She made the classroom environment comfortable for everyone with her positive attitude alone. She was always upbeat, despite the fact that the class began at 9:55 a.m. She actually made me want to go to class, which is a feat in and of itself.
One thing I will always be grateful for is the way Professor Grantham treated each student. Perhaps it had something to do with her background in the Coast Guard, but she always showed respect to everyone, despite his or her different opinions. She was also extremely open to the various ideas people had for their speeches. From baseball to the history of sororities, we were able to talk about whatever we wanted; one student even gave a speech on tequila, which he concluded by taking a shot of the aforementioned liquer. Professor Grantham was greatly amused by this, but she still had to implement a “no alcohol, drugs, or weapons” policy.
Another thing Professor Grantham was great at was making everything fun. Nobody had a chance to be nervous about giving an impromptu speech because she always made you keep in mind that a sense of humor will help you get through even the most nerve-wracking situations.
In the end, I still get a little nervous whenever I have to speak in front of others, but I will never forget what I learned in Professor Grantham’s class. While there are many public speaking techniques that I still use everyday, it was the boost in confidence that she gave me that has helped me want to overcome my fears. I truly appreciate all that she did for me; I hope that one day, I can honor her by keeping my cool and giving a nerves-free performance in class.
-- Danielle Olmetti, American University