I began teaching post-secondary courses in 2006 at Simon Fraser University and the lead-up to my first course was anxiety-provoking in ways that I did not expect. But, I embraced the fear, which fuelled my efforts to plan the course and prepare myself, mentally speaking.

It paid off.

I love teaching, but I’d never know that if I had let fear determine the outcome. Instead, fear guided me right up until the moment I stepped into the classroom for the first time and faced my first group of 35 students. Terrifying. And exhilarating.