Get to know your students, as people and as learners. Hand out interest worksheets at the beginning of the year to find out information like a student's favorite subject, book, music or biggest pet peeve. Administer an academic readiness test to find out your students' learning styles and abilities.
Study the differences in your students and use this as a curriculum planner.
Offer multiple options for students. If your class isn't comfortable enough with the material to write an essay, allow them to complete a visual project or group assignment instead.
Set variable pacing for the curriculum. If the students are grasping the material better than planned, move on to something else.
Let your students set goals for themselves and help them to reach those goals.
Give your students open ended assignments. Help them focus on the problem solving process instead of the answer.
Allow students to get involved in the class by letting them write project proposals and write group and personal evaluations.
Praise your students for their personal accomplishments.