Hi Truitt, Avoiding annoying mannerisms is a constant struggle for public speakers. Once you are aware of them you can focus on eliminating them from your speaking flow. As you have said by slowing down you can get a better grasp of how you present your course content. Other things you can do is to video tape a class and them observe yourself. Sometimes painful though always informative. You can have someone you respect as an instructor sit in on one of your classes and then give you feedback. If you have an educational director or coordinator I would use that person. Keep up the good work. Gary