I have both hated and loved school. The reasons for both, for the most part, depended on whether I liked or disliked my professors.
The ones I didn't care for, were the ones who didn't give a shit about me. I guess, for a teacher with many students, it might seem like a difficult challenge, but I don't know about that. I have been taught by many busy, hard-working professors. My favorite, was a man who taught at 3 different Universities, logged unknown but high hours of road travel, let alone prep time, grading, and actually teaching classes. I don't know how he did it, but he always let me knew that he was there for me if I was having problems in his classes, or if everything else in my life was going all right. How did he do it? I don't know that either, but I do know that he didn't just do it for me, but for probably hundreds of other students that he once taught.
The ones I disliked were the ones who were in the teaching for the status of it. Yeah, that's it. I could just picture how popular they wanted to be, and now, with an attentive class, was able to assert their power. They seemed holier than thou, didn't want to hear any sort of reason why something couldn't be handed in on time, and seemed to teach as if by rote. You knew they had their lesson plan laid out, and god forbid if it went off track.
I read in an earlier post of yours about your late assignment penalty. 0.
I agree, for a lot of reasons. There are a lot of students out there who beg and plead for extensions just because they've been partying too much, have slacked off too much, or just cannot be bothered to keep up.
It takes a good teacher to learn if that is truly the problem with the individual. Sometimes things do happen. Critical, life-changing things for the student. The best teacher realizes that for the student school can be important while at the same time able to realize that these people are living with problems as well. It may be one student who has that issue that cannot be anticipated, regardless of good study habits, motivation, and dedication.
Enjoy your opportunity. It is work, but sometimes great things can come from it. I appreciate a lot of my teachers to this day, even stretching back to grade school. I can't thank them enough. I hope that you get to experience this, too.

When I was in seminary, the director of our branch campus said of one of the professors that he taught as if all his professors were in the back of the room grading him. Hence he went above the heads of the students. Relate to your students as people, say things to get there attention. My pastor once started a sermon with a dirty joke. It may not be as shocking for a professor, but surprise them. Eight in the morning is a dreadful time to teach a class so you've got an interesting challenge.