Willingness to take varying instructional approaches as necessary demonstrates the degree to which teachers care whether students understand the concepts being taught and succeed as learners. Students don't respond positively to teachers who exhibit little effort to make lesson plans interesting, relatable or easy to digest -- or who don't account variations among learning and participation styles. Students also need to see that teachers are understanding, willing and capable enough to provide extra help to suit individual needs when students ask questions for clarity or seek help outside of class time.
Students can often tell when a teacher regards his position as "just a job" -- when he really doesn't care about whether the students learn or not, operating in accordance with the sole desire to get in and out of the classroom as soon as possible each day. Dedicated teachers who effectively build strong relationships with students demonstrate enthusiasm for their jobs and gain students' trust by showing that they value their students as individuals, and that they genuinely enjoy their students and take pleasure in teaching. When students observe poor preparation and lack of concern on teachers' parts, they will use that apathy to their advantage and refuse to put any more effort into their studies that their teachers do.
Students who feel respected enough by their teachers to be treated as equals when clearly established rules are followed, will return that respect. However, when teachers talk down to students, trivialize their questions or concerns, and regard them as unworthy of respect, their students will respond in kind.
In the same way adults at work are more apt to go the extra mile for bosses who regard them with respect, as well as impose high expectations, so are kids more likely to aim dutifully to please teachers who respect them enough to believe in them and set high, yet reasonable, standards. Students need to know that teachers care whether they fail or succeed, and that they believe they can succeed. Being praised for strong performances, and being treated with understanding when everything is not up to par, further nurtures students' appreciation for the teacher who genuinely appears to appreciate them in return.