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In order to be a successful teacher your students must like you, believe in you, trust you and have confidence in you. If you fail to establish any of these with your students you will not be as effective as you could be.

So, ask the following 7.5 tough questions and answer them honestly if you truly desire to improve your teaching.

1. Was I on time?

Do you show up early or late? You need to show up early. Showing up late makes you look unprofessional and will cost in confidence.

2. Was I prepared?

Do you know the subject matter? Are you prepared? Remember that reading from the book will appear as if you don't know the material or what you are doing.

3. Was I organized?

Do you have the materials you will need at your fingertips? Not having what you need readily available can come across as not caring which can result in a lack of trust.

4. Was I able to answer the questions?

Do you show a mastery of your subject? Can you answer most of the questions your students ask? You need to be able to answer most of the questions your students ask if you want them to believe in you.

5. Did I make excuses or blame others?

Do you gripe about the curriculum, blame the copier or attack other staff members for your shortcomings? If you do, you will appear unprofessional and make it hard for students to like you. Accept responsibility for your actions.

6. Was I apologizing?

Never apologize. Apologizing makes you appear to have a of lack confidence and not know what you are doing.

7. Did my students ask questions?

Do your students ask questions about the subject material? If your students don't ask questions you may not have got them thinking. It is important that you get them thinking and asking questions.

7.5 Were my students involved?

Do your students just sit there and stare off into space? Do they do other things while you are giving your presentation? It is necessary to be aware of what your students are doing while you give your presentation. If they are not following you, you need to make adjustment to get them involved.

Ask yourself these 7.5 tough questions, answer them honestly and then make the correct changes to drastically improve your teaching. Your students will believe in you, trust you and most of all you will have more confidence.