Hi Mill, Your comments about keeping a balance between class management and compassion are good. My experience has been that if I am fair and consistent with my expectations and requirements then the students respect me. While they are in class I try to support and encourage them on a regular basis. This helps me to establish rapport with them. With respect and rapport they know I care about their success so the work hard to be successful in the course. As a result when they come to me with a situation or in need of some understanding they know I will be compassionate but fair in how I handle the situation. Gary