Hi Aila,
The key is to establish yourself as the instructor leader in the class and a model of your profession. So you should dress, speak and conduct yourself as professionals in your field do. You may be the first person that your students have encountered in the field so you are setting the bar for the students.
Also, you need to work on earning the respect of your students while establishing rapport with them. Both respect and rapport will help create a connection between you and them that will help them stay engaged in the course.
Gary
