coaching and teaching jitters

I’m sitting at my desk in an empty classroom looking over several coaching resources that I’ve purchased by experts like Jim Knight, Nicole Turner, and Dana &Yendol-Hoppey.  I’m surrounded by the dozens of articles I’ve read for the coaching course I just finished as part of my doctoral program.  And yet, despite all of these things, I feel unprepared.  Anxious.  Overcome with imposter syndrome – that feeling that I really don’t know what I'm doing.   


It reminds me of the first day of my teaching career – despite all the trainings, courses, workshops and seminars, I did not feel prepared for that very first day.  Can you relate?   
My semi-type A personality says that I must have all my forms prepared, copies made. My binders need to be organized and ready to go.  I have to have my lesson plans ready, virtual classroom set up, posters hung, resources prepared...


And don’t even get me started on my physical space!  I’ve been asked to teach a Reading Connections class and create a model classroom that can serve as an observatory for new teachers and those who may need help with jumpstarting ideas to use in their rooms. 
 
Perfectionism says that all of these things must be ready to go before day 1 – that I need to arrive at preplanning well prepared and hit the ground running. But scripture reminds me to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your request known to the Lord...”  
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So I’m going to take a deep breath and let the peace of God guard my heart and mind. This is going to be a journey, not a sprint, and I have to give myself the grace to learn and settle into this new role. Here’s praying that this year will be a success!