Whenever I am teaching a course for the first time, I am honest with my students and let them know. I then follow it up by stating that we all have to start somewhere, and that they too, will soon be in the same situation. I've had nothing but positive responses from the students. Similarly, when I make a mistake, I laugh at myself first before the students have time to pounce on me. I find that being humble and honest has allowed me to be more relatable to the students, but has also earned me respect in the classroom time and time again.
