Would you Challenge or Inspire your Student?

Students will always respond better to encouragement than critcism, although criticism can be constructive and doesn't have to be unkind.

It depends on the students personality. I'm no teacher but sometimes tough people rise to the occassion when criticize. And student who are shy, timid or widrawn respond to inspiring words. But if I'm to choose only one, I'll go with inspiring my students. Nothing beats a kind word. All people respond to kindness or inspiring words. A teacher could be both tough and inspiring.