As an adolescent and young adult, the thing I was most self-conscious about were my interpersonal skills, and I have made a great deal of effort in my professional life to overcome the nervousness and anxiety I once felt in my social life.  Working with students has greatly affected my confidence and approachability.  Already having confidence in the subject matter and the fact that I didn’t feel nervous around the students was practice for becoming assertive yet patient.  The need to be sensitive and often a mentor to many students also required a kind, caring, and encouraging side of me to come out in many ways.  As I became more confident in myself and what I was doing in the classroom, I no longer feared parent-teacher conferences, staff meetings, or meetings with administrators.  My first experience with a parent was petrifying, and for several weeks I was actually afraid to call home.  I soon got over this and my other hang-ups, and feel I have really grown insofar as my interpersonal skills are concerned.  Although I feel it is important to be honest in these reflections, and as my numerous artifacts (e.g., messages from students written in my yearbook, see right sidebar) show I now feel quite confident and comfortable communicating with students, teachers, parents, and administrators.