I want to be a firecracker

... with apologies to William Shakespeare. Matthew, you are on the right track. The first step is to know what you want to be or do. The next step is to envision it fully. And then step into the role you've envisioned for yourself. Perhaps that sounds risky, scary or silly (or all three) and maybe that's right. If you know anyone who is a stage actor, you will appreciate it when they describe what it means to commit to the material. No matter how bad the script is, if a good actor commits, the words come to life. But if the actor doesn't commit, the best script in the world lies flat as a rug.

A couple of decades ago, the actor George Segal was asked how he can be so infectiously upbeat and excited on the Johnny Carson show. He said, "I just imagine a character named George Segal appearing on the Johnny Carson show, and then I act the part."

Imagine the way you wish to be, and then just step in the role.

But whatever you do, don't hedge your bets, or do it halfway. Commit totally.

One of the strangest things about performing live in front of any audience is the leap of faith necessary to believe that the audience really WANTS you to succeed. They really do. They crave it. They are cheering for you.

That's why people are so disappointed when their favorite rock or showbiz stars or professional athletes don't act the way they expect them to. They WANT their stars to meet theire expectations.

You, too, can create this kind of magic in a classroom. You clearly have the intelligence and wit to be a firecracker. Now just imagine yourself as a firecracker. How would a firecracker walk into the room? What would he or she say? How would it be said? What would a firecracker do when the concepts were complex, or the lesson was boring? What creative rabbit would the firecracker pull out of his or her hat? If you can envision it, and if you commit to the material, then you will undoubtedly succeed beyond your wildest imagination. You'll succeed because THEY want you to!

Good luck!

RT

Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. Take yoga classes and free up your body through stretching, which will release any blocked energy.

Hang out with really young kids as often as you can, they're the funniest, most dynamic people on earth.

I have a lot of training in acting and I'll tell you that the worst thing an actor can do is to stand guard at the gates of his/her mind screening and pre-screening every gut reaction and impulse.

If you think the class is boring perhaps you want to say that. "Hey, guys I know this stuff can be dry and boring but if you work with me...I'll work with you." Or something to that effect.

Just be honest; ask for their suggestions on how to enliven the class. That would be refreshing and in response to you coming alive, they'd come alive as well!

Simply be willing to share the real you, the infectious, intelligent being that you were as a kid!

Thanks for the great advice. This will take some effort on my part, since I tend to be rather quiet and reserved in most situations. I'm trying to view this as an opportunity to grow, to push myself beyond my comfort zone.

Matthew -
Just the idea that you not only want to be a firecracker, but that you recognize the qualities of a good firecracker tells me a pretty potent firecracker probably lies within!

You mentioned stepping out of your comfort zone -Amanda's suggestion of acting is perfect and so are public speaking classes. But you mentioned you had no trouble with subjects you enjoy (molecular bio!) - Knowing that you think your current topic is pretty dry -- making it interesting for yourself will help you to make it interesting for the students.

For example -- sentence composition can be boring - unless the sentences are interesting (Think about Eat, Shoots, Leaves :)

Letting the students see you honestly excited gets them to take notice -- tell stories about yourself, your life, your hobbies, even molecular bio if it engages you.

I can still see my biology teacher pretending to walk a tight rope to show us that the cerebellum was responsible for equilibrium -- cool huh!

And my favorite English teacher used to play air guitar and have use memorize facts to the tune of his favorite rock songs!

When you are having fun - they will too! Rob said it well, commit totally!

What I can relate to you involves my own personality which has some similarities with yours. I am like a Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde. The difference is I can be totally animated and excited when I am talking about topics I am excited about to begin with. These are usually areas that I have great passion for and expertise in. When if am in an area that I am not personally excited about it is almost impossible for me to fake it. I would prefer to hide in a corner somewhere. There are also some people that can be charismatic and entertaining in almost any area. From what you said you are not at that point yet. If you are not excited about the subject matter and the substitute that filled was you can understand why she was considered a "firecracker" or maybe she was just one of those exceptional people. I would encourage you to grow your personality, but it might be easier initially to develop that process by pursuing a change in the subject matter you teach. Once you have proved to yourself you can be enthusiastic and exciting for your students it would be easier to transfer that same enthusiasm to subjects that originally weren't that exciting for you. A great place to build your confidence and receive incredible support in the process is Toastmasters. They are a great organization that has helped thousands of people improve their speaking skills.