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Getting Back in the Saddle: Tackling My Pre-Presentation Jitters at TCEA

Writer's picture: Dustin RimmeyDustin Rimmey

Can you think of a thumbnail that's more "me?"
Can you think of a thumbnail that's more "me?"

I love being a walking contradiction. I've forged most of my identity and career in the world of competitive speech and debate. As a coach and former competitor, you'd think getting in front of an audience would be no-sweat.



I've presented at state and local conferences before, I've done small booth sessions or rapid-fire table talks at AMLE, but this one feels different from the beginning. I'm presenting on something I'm passionate about, incorporating STEAM and "making" into Social Studies. But the feeling of imposter syndrome is intensifying by the moment as the clock ticks down to my presentation at 11:30c.


As I prepare to step back into the saddle, I'm hoping to take a moment to explain my "calm down" process and explore how I managed to turn my jitters into excitement.


Understanding the Jitters


First off, let’s be real. Nerves are a common part of the presentation process. No matter how experienced you are, standing in front of a crowd with a microphone can trigger anxiety. A survey of educators found that nearly 70% experience presentation anxiety to some degree. I worried about everything—would I forget my notes? Will my technology work? Would anyone show up? Would my content resonate?


Recognizing that these jitters are common among educators can be a relief. Knowing I wasn't alone in this emotional rollercoaster made the experience feel more manageable.


Preparing for the Big Day


Preparation was key. I didn't want to leave anything to chance, especially with my focus on blending Social Studies and STEM into a creative educational experience. I started by drafting a detailed outline of my presentation, ensuring it had a logical flow. My preparation included:


  • Instructional Strategies: I used hands-on activities and multimedia presentations to illustrate how educators could foster critical thinking in their students. For example, I demonstrated a project where students created timelines connecting historical events to scientific advancements, effectively bridging Social Studies and STEAM.


  • Visual Anchors: Each slide served as a visual anchor, highlighting an important aspect of my discussion. I practiced repeatedly—first alone, and then with trusted colleagues who provided constructive feedback. This cycle of rehearsal helped smooth out any rough spots and developed my confidence.


New Noise


If you've ever met me, heard me talk, or seen any of my content, you know I'm very music-minded as a passion and a stress release. Not performing, just listening. Something about a mix of metal, pop-punk, post-punk, and hip-hop is something that helps turn my brain off. So, what did I do in the 2 hours before my presentation, instead of watching other speakers? I created a Spotify playlist! Last night, I was joking in a group chat about sharing my tunes I listened to while scrutinizing and re-writing my presentation. The amazing Kat Crawford said she'd like to see it...and as someone who's generally predisposed to say yes to anything Kat says, I obliged!



I'll say that this practice was useful, because it got me to stop thinking about my presentation, and got me more in the moment of people watching in the lovely Austin Conference Center, while I calmed my nerves and reduced my heart rate. The next step helped too =-).


Breathing Techniques to Soothe Nerves


While the playlist construction was a nice distraction at times, my nerves still returned from time-to-time in full force. As I wait near my presentation space, I'm using several breathing techniques (shout out to my therapist, and the calm app!). By focusing on my breath and practicing deep inhalations to a count of four followed by slow exhalations, I'm gradually feeling the tension ease. Creating these moments of calm allow me to refocus my thoughts, reminding myself of my passion for educational technology and the reason I was there—to inspire and connect with fellow educators.


So how'd it go?

Expect a post-game write up with the link to all of my resources in addition to some big takeaways from other sessions throughout the remainder of the conference!

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