How often do we as instructors enter the classroom and engage, or believe we are engaging, students with the wonderfully prepared lesson we are anxious to present without guaging whether our learners are ready to learn. Determining the state of the classroom and making necessary adjustments prior to beginning the lesson is essential to its' success. If a student is still mentally engaged with baggage they brought into the room they are most likely not engaged with the instructor. We have have to creatively and critically assess what we might do to create an engaging learning environment.