I find that making a connection outside of the classroom is just as important as inside. Students are in class for so few hours during the week and if I can connect with them "where they live" they feel that I am interested and care about them all of the time; not just during the class. I also instill in my students the philosophy that we are a team - myself, them, and their classmates. I constantly emphasize cooperation and helping each other. This is also included outside of the classroom by means of exchanging phone numbers and email addresses with students who are willing to do this. (It is not mandatory, but I've never had anyone refuse.) As a result, my classes seem to thrive on a more personal relationship with each other both in and out of the classroom. I have also seen this relationship continue after their completion of the program.