Create a relationship with your students! Then, give them a simple, yet effective tool to help them master the content!

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER!  People don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you CARE!"

How can you let students know you care?

1. Show an active interest in them, how they are doing, any signs of distress, etc.
2. Call each person by name, ensure you are pronouncing the name correctly. (Hint: don't argue about the way a name is spelled or pronounced; often there is significant meaning attached to the name! However, even if there isn't, honor the person's name, its spelling and pronunciation.  NOT doing so creates a barrier to your relationship that is difficult - if not impossible to overcome!)
3. Treat everyone in the room with respect.  If there are those who don't want to cooperate, tell them in a very calm voice, your intention to treat them with respect and your expectation you will be treated with respect, as well.  Remind them you will not speak when they are talking, and your expectation you will not speak when they are talking, as another demonstration of respect that also reinforces the impact of respect..
4. Reinforce your belief in each student's ability to learn! After all, none of us were born knowing how to walk, talk, clothe ourselves or feed ourselves!!  These are all things we LEARNED!  Reinforce this concept with the following statement: If you have ever learned anything, you CAN Learn ANYthing!