Hello, fantastic teachers!

I've just finished my first year at a very difficult school in San Antonio (read the tale of woe here), and had VERY deep problems with management and investing students. I plan to start the coming year fresh with WBT, but I'm also conscious of the rough atmosphere of my school and of the way my students received my goofiness last year when I used it (read: they rallied against it, using it as a way to discredit me with their friends).

I know I want to be myself in my classroom this year, and I know WBT will help me do that--and I also know there's a bit of goofiness-appreciation deep down inside each of my students--but I'm very very VERY nervous about student 'buy-in,' particularly at the beginning of the year. I picture myself saying "When I say Class, you say Yes. Class?" and being stranded in a sea of silent, incredulous stares.

I have yet to read up on Industrial Strength WBT, and maybe this is addressed there--but I'd love to solicit the opinions of the forum at large:


What should I do about my secret fear that my students will refuse to say anything in unison, mirror any gestures, or teach anything to their partners? What can I keep in my "back pocket" so I go into the first days/weeks confident they'll buy in?