Learn the names of all your students as quickly as possible (ideally within the first week of class), and encourage your students to get to know each others’ names by using name tags, ice breakers, or calling students by name.
One way to learn students’ preferred names is to send an email or survey to students before the first day of class. In addition to asking preferred name, you can learn about your students’ backgrounds, interests, strengths, and needs that allow you to adjust the classroom and course content accordingly.
Throughout the semester, you may consider visiting discussion or lab sections to facilitate personal connections with your students. Required office hour visits are another opportunity for instructional staff to connect with students and receive formative feedback about how to create a more inclusive classroom environment.