Students really respond to the level of enthusiasm that the instructor has. If you clearly want to be there, they are more likely to want to be there!

The REFOCUS model seems helpful in instances where it feels that your teaching objectives are falling out of reach. 

Show your enthusiasm for the subject that you teach. This can positively impact the experience that students have whil taking your course. 

I liked the emphasis on how students bring their outside issues into the classroom. It is important to validate their concerns without sinking to the level of complaining with them. 

I liked the idea of creating cue cards to keep lecture points in order. I will try implementing that in addition to my usual powerpoint presentations. 

I learned that you must always ensure that you go over the syllabus and discuss the course requirements within the first class period. 

A checklist can be a helpful tool to ensure that you cover all necessary content during the class.

Instructors must ready to adapt their teaching style to best fit the needs of the students and to deliver the content in the most effective way possible.