The two little words that make your knees go weak

Public speaking.
Right up there with spiders, snakes, heights, and wedgies.
Some of you probably got a knot in your stomach just reading those two little words.
So when I assign presentations to my students, I know what kind of reactions I will get:  "Oh, no!" "Groan..." and occasionally, miraculously, "Alright!"
What I did not expect, however, was that a very composed young lady, an A student, would come to me to express, in a rare display of total trust, that she has great anxiety for speaking in public.
I was surprised by this admission, especially because she is so competent in everything she does, and she had come after school just to sign up in advance for her presentation slot.
So when she confessed her fears, I decided to respond in kind.  I described my recent experience of speaking in front of the school board, the superintendents, and over 100 teachers from all across the district. I described the severe dry mouth, like I'd spent the day walking the Mojave, and the stomach ache that crept up like a slowly twisting wrench.
Her reaction? "I can't imagine you being nervous, Ms. Martin."
I don't know whether that compliment felt better to me, or the sigh of relief she breathed as she laughed a little when I said, "So you see, everyone gets nervous, but your audience doesn't ever have to know. You'll do just fine."
And then her smile, genuine relief relaxing her face as she thanked me.
Being able to ease a young scholar's anxiety and maybe help her to use the power of her words in public someday, that is the best thanks of all.