Teaching is not as much about the subject (dare I say?) as about the relationships built with students. Genuine respect and regard for a student will foster a work ethic on behalf of the student if he/she believes the teacher is genuine. I kept a note from my second year of teaching because of the impact of a young man named AJ*. I see the actual note today in my writer’s notebook, and I am reminded of the importance of building those relationships with our students. AJ was in my 10th grade English class. He was a nice looking young man, dark hair, a little skinny,…