On day one, foster a learning by modeling leadership, managing class dynamics, and motivating through an ungraded baseline pretest. Sharing field experience, enthusiasm for respect, and personal interests for approachability.

Early and thorough planning, using a checklist to ensure preparedness, keeping notes of needs that arise all help new instructors reduce nervousness and stress by keeping the focus on the students and the class. 

Instructors should create a personal professional development plan to identify and build on their strengths, address areas for improvement, stay current in their field, ensure compliance with laws and institutional requirements, and continuously enhance their teaching effectiveness.

Student activity reports reveal engagement patterns—such as time spent in the course, last access dates, and correlations with grades. This helps to identify at risk student early.