It is hard to teach something that you do not love or understand. This will then transfer to the students during lecture and they in turn will be disengaged. For me as a teacher I have to first learn the subject and then find my motivation so that the class will feel that positive energy and become engaged with lecture.

I have had a few students that were always answering questions as they were raising their hands and before I was even finished asking the question. Other students therefore did not even try to participate because they knew that they would not get the chance. What I now do is let a student know that I will be asking a question on a certain topic during the lecture and that they will need to provide an answer. The student will then be more attentive during lecture and will have an opportunity to participate in class.

I find that when a student has success in one area they begin to realize that they are capable of acheiving what is being asked of them. Once we erase a past negative learning experience with a positive one the student will want to stay with their program until the very end. Once a student has confidents they begin to dream bigger and set more future goals for themselves.

I have found that when student's are older and have not been in school for many years they are more likely to drop out. What has helped is to acknowleged their small successes which will give them the confidence to continue and complete their course/program.