My first volunteer assistant teaching position was in a grade 10 class. I was concerned about a highway going through a local green space. 

There was a walk organized to show the politicians that the community wanted to conserve this area.  I asked the teacher I was working under to mention this to the students. He told me that I should tell them myself at the end of class! 

The first time I would ever speak in front of a class! When I told the students about the walk, my voice trembled so badly that the class thought I was choked up about the plight of the green space!  When I looked at the students more carefully after my speech, I noticed a couple of them with dewy eyes! 

And I thought I would be laughed at!