Hello,

I think there is a necessary fine balance between our soft people skills and that firmness that you mention. I have always approached it in a way that incorporates both, especially early in a semester. One can argue that students are seeking and even expecting leadership from an instructor, with soft people skills being a given in any professional interaction, including in the class setting.  Perhaps the difference as an instructor, particularly on the college level, is that the students have paid for this experience and they have realigned their life schedule for this commitment and learning the hard… >>>

@scmeaux :I think humor is an important component to teaching. I use it quite often. Making students laugh relaxes them and this may even let them know that a the class will be taught by someone who is somewhat relatable.