1. Help students get to know one another's (and your) strengths.

2. Involve students in planning, problem solving, identifying issues, and assessing curriculum in the classroom.

3. Promote cooperation over competition. Post everyone's best work. Offer opportunities for the class to work together to help everyone achieve their level of excellence.

4. Build a strong relationship with each student.

5. Convey attentiveness to students and excitement about learning through nonverbal gestures.

6. Involve all students in chores and responsibilities around the classroom.

7. Integrate concepts of discipline and respect for classmates throughout instruction.

8. Give students more say in what they will learn.

9. Involve students in developing the criteria by which their work will be assessed, and provide guidelines so that they clearly understand what is expected of them.

10. Use first person plural (we, us, let's) when presenting classroom activities.

Source: Blum, R.W., McNeely, C.A., Rinehart, P.M. (2002). The Untapped Power of Schools to Improve the Health of Teens. Minneapolis, MN: Center for Adolescent Health and Development, University of Minnesota.