It is generally the case that students will have respect for their instructors just because it is a cultural norm. Most students respect the fact that their instructors know their subject area and their expertise. However, it is also necessary that students sense that their instructors respect them as well. If they do not sense this, they will feel intimidated and may not feel comfortable approaching the instructor for help. Attrition can only be high in this situation.

It's so easy as teachers, espcially those of us with logical minds, to approach teaching as an efficient, orgainzed, step by step enterprise. This is ok, if students feel you CARE about them. In other words, we cannot let the efficiency get in the way of really caring about our students. And if we need to be flexible, so be it.