The students' perceptions of an instructor start as soon as they meet you. Try to maintain a professional image of competence to earn their respect. Don't be too nice or too mean, just even keeled and fair. One must control the time and energy of the classroom to maintain authority. Being over prepared and having some activities on hand to revive the energy after a lecture or stressful test. Don't treat your class as therapy and tell them your problems, or try to be too friendly with them. These behaviors can diminish the authority that you have in the classroom.
