How can you build a classroom environment that creates buy-in from students? Richard Young shows how teacher credibility goes beyond building relationships. He offers a practical framework centered on student perception, engagement, motivation, trust, and communication, resulting in improved learning outcomes. With compelling visuals throughout, Young offers insights into how student motivation and social dynamics shape their perceptions. He also explains the nuances behind student inferences, social contagion, and cognitive alignment, so that you can learn how to proactively address misinterpretations, reinforce credibility, promote positive student perceptions, and create a more connected, cooperative learning environment. Each chapter offers actionable strategies and research-based tools to help you implement the ideas. Teachers at the middle and high school levels, where social dynamics and student misperceptions frequently impact learning environments, will particularly benefit from the unique and effective ideas in this book.