Preparation
When you arrive prepared, your students will appeciate it.
Yes, arriving prepared each class sets the tone for the duration. During the initial class there may be a mixture of students you know and some you are meeting for the first time. Students I have taught understand that class begins on time, attendence is taken at the beginning of class, and assignments are taken up before the lecture. This is a routine the students have come to expect and helps the session run smoothly.
As much as "preparation" shows reward when meeting your students for the first time, "LACK of preparation" can be even more visible and do damage to your position that could take days to repair; if it can be repaired at all. Students pick up on the energy, confidence and competency of an instructor rather quickly and it is in our best interest to make that first assessment a positive one!
