Hi Dixie: You're applying this to your English composition class but I think your emphasis on the students interest is applicable to almost every type of class. I don't mean writing about their interests necessarily, but just taking a sincere, caring, and personal interest in the students when there's interaction will demonstrate that interest. It may even inspire, encourage, and result in excelling far above what anyone expected. There's really no reason to expect anything less is there? These are the attributes students most often cite when commenting about "their best teachers". Regards, Barry