Facing fears

I was in middle school when VHS video cameras became a big deal. My brother, five years older, was enthralled with the technology. The red record light was blinking a lot there for a while. My younger sister--still in elementary--was a real ham. She'd sing every lyric to the Mickey and Minnie soundtrack for the camera without a thought. I, however, was humiliated. When my siblings were staging scenes for their next big independent film, I was giving the metaphorical finger to the paparazzi. 

"Basta!" I'd think, rolling my eyes, as I retreated to my room out of sight. 

Now, I'm putting together a portfolio for National Board Teacher Certification, and the famous video component is on my to-do list. I wouldn't describe myself as shy over the last twenty years of my career. I love leading a class through lessons with or without the spotlight shining on me. Is it worth mentioning that since those family video days, musical theater was my niche? Shuffling off to Buffalo, I only needed a sec to grab my tap shoes. But the idea of capturing my class on tape, though, activated the familiar jitters of my pre-adolescent days.

Today, I did it. I planned a lesson--as teachers do--and then I taught it--also pretty standard. The good news is that the camera was on to catch it all. Did I panic? Shake in my boots? Break out in a cold sweat? Not a bit! And the relief of discovering that I have more than 15 minutes of footage to analyze? So sweet.

One video down. One more to go.