Principles of Teaching Part 4

Tact.

Patience.

Sincerity.

Among the characteristics which they did not like in teachers they named the following:

_Undesirable Characteristics_

Grouchiness.

Wandering in method.

Indifference to need for help.

Too close holding to the text.

Distant att.i.tude--aloofness.

Partiality.

Excitability.

Irritability.

Pessimism--"in the dumps."

Indifferent a.s.signments.

Hazy explanations.

Failure to cover a.s.signments.

Distracting facial expressions.

Att.i.tude of "lording it over."

Sarcasm.

Poor taste in dress.

Bluffing--"the tables turned."

Discipline for discipline's sake.

"Holier than thouness."

_Desirable Capabilities_

They also reduced to rather memorable phrases a half dozen desirable capabilities:

1. The ability to make students work and want to work.

2. The ability to make definite a.s.signments.

3. The ability to make clear explanations.

4. The ability to be pleasant without being easy.

5. The ability to emphasize essentials.

6. The ability to capitalize on new ideas.

7. The ability to be human.

A number of years ago Clapp conducted a similar survey among one hundred leading school men of America, asking them to list the ten most essential characteristics of a good teacher. From the lists sent in Clapp compiled the ten qualities in the order named most frequently by the one hundred men:

1. Sympathy.

2. Address.

3. Enthusiasm.

4. Sincerity.

5. Personal Appearance.

6. Optimism.

7. Scholars.h.i.+p.

8. Vitality.

9. Fairness.

10. Reserve or dignity.

George Herbert Betts, in his stimulating book, _How to Teach Religion_, says there are three cla.s.ses of teachers:

"Two types of teachers are remembered: One to be forgiven after years have softened the antagonisms and resentments; the other to be thought of with honor and grat.i.tude as long as memory lasts. Between these two is a third and a larger group: those who are forgotten, because they failed to stamp a lasting impression on their pupils.

This group represents the mediocrity of the profession, not bad enough to be actively forgiven, not good enough to claim a place in grat.i.tude and remembrance."

Mr. Betts then goes on with a very exhaustive list of positive and negative qualities in teachers--a list so valuable that we set it down here for reference.

_Positive Qualities_ _Negative Qualities_

1. Open-minded, inquiring, broad. Narrow, dogmatic, not hungry for truth.

2. Accurate, thorough, discerning. Indefinite, superficial, lazy.

3. Judicious, balanced, fair. Prejudiced, led by likes and dislikes.

4. Original, independent, Dependent, imitative, subservient.

resourceful.

5. Decisive, possessing convictions. Uncertain, wavering, undecided.

6. Cheerful, joyous, optimistic. Gloomy, morose, pessimistic, bitter.

7. Amiable, friendly, agreeable. Repellent, unsociable, disagreeable.

8. Democratic, broadly sympathetic. Sn.o.bbish, self-centered, exclusive.

9. Tolerant, sense of humor, Opinionated, dogmatic, intolerant.

generous.

10. Kind, courteous, tactful. Cruel, rude, untactful.

11. Tractable, co-operative, Stubborn, not able to work with teachable. others.

12. Loyal, honorable, dependable. Disloyal, uncertain dependability.

13. Executive, forceful, vigorous. Uncertain, weak, not capable.

14. High ideals, worthy, exalted. Low standards, base, contemptible.

15. Modest, self-effacing. Egotistical, vain, autocratic.

16. Courageous, daring, firm. Overcautious, weak, vacillating.

17. Honest, truthful, frank, Low standards of honor and truth.

sincere.

18. Patient, calm, equable. Irritable, excitable, moody.