Teacher-learner relationships are founded on the fundamental human need of knowing that another person genuinely cares. Students know when they are recognized, understood, and respected for their unique abilities and interests by their teachers. Teachers who believe in their students' abilities demonstrate that they care by placing the learners at the center of the educational process. With this focus on caring foremost, teachers engage students actively in the learning process. This engagement is essential for learning to be fun, meaningful, and enduring. This article describes multiple instructional approaches and diverse learning experiences that establish clear and realistic expectations while challenging students to engage with and think critically about real problems, not just memorize facts and regurgitate them on tests. Students are more likely to choose to meet, and sometimes exceed, course expectations when they are actively engaged in their learning.