Confidence
One of the most important things I believe, is presenting yourself in a manner overall in which the students can feel that they'll receive adequate instruction from the professor.
The worst thing that can happen, is having a teacher lose confidence in their student, where they feel the instructor is not competent enough in presenting the material.
Often, it's a make or break deal, that takes place on the very first day.
Zafar,
You are correct. Students need to have a feeling of security in their instructor. There is nothing like having a instructor who does not understand their course material.
