St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-02-21
President Yoang's Address

Suppose each of us this afternoon
should review briefly our life in school
or college. seeking an answer to the
question, :" what couEted for most In
its influence upon me and upon my
preparation for life?" Many of US, af-
ter few years.; have forgotten our
Latin, our German, our algebra, our
educational psychology. :. All these
subjects have a cultural value, it !. Is
true, and they undoubtedly widen our
mental horizon. and broaden our SYM
pathies. But after all they are not
the real factors in shaping our des-
tiny; for they are evanescent and do
not function to any extent in our dali
ly life. The most Of us. am conf
dent, obtained vastly more of per-
Tslanent good from the influence OF
we pursued. =.
The personality of the teacher de-
termines largely the success or failure
of the school. What is personality.
you may ask? i cannot tell you.
There is. no adequate definition. Yet
we all recognize it, we are all attract
ed or repealed by It.
1t is undoubtedly true that ..effec-
tiveness in school work is in direct
ratio to the power and charm Of tho
.teacher,-to the beauty and force of
personality. What hope then for the
one who lacks to all appearance this
power and charm? Is she doomed to
failure Should she give up teach
ing and, seek some other occupation
Many a teacher in the midst of fail
ure and trying conditions has asked
herself this question.
Is personality such as we have deS-
cribed 4 God-given power with which
only few are favored at birth, or
CAN'T in a large measure be acquired ?
Observation convinceS me that
teaching personality, subtle as the
qualities are of which it is made UP,
can be acquired by every man or wo-
man of ordinary ability who will bend
his energies to the task.
What then are some characteristics
Of teaching personality, and how may
they be acquired? az
In the first place a. person to be
pleasing must observe certain rules OF
dress and external appearance Tooth
paste, soap and water are quite cheap
even in these days of high cost OF
| living. The teacher should be- dress
| ed neatly and attractively, not OF nee
essity extensively. Personal careless.
| ness cannot belong to the individual
who expects to exert an all-around
strong uplifting influence upon hui
man beings in the mass. -
t We may name as our second char.
acteristic of teaching personality the
| way in which the teacher carries her.
self in the treatment Of other people
whether pupil, parent or associate
Surely every teacher can acquire t
a considerable degree pleasing man
ners, tactfuiness in dealing with PEG
pie, and right attitude towards pu
pills and parents,
SO far we have dealt with eaternal
personal appearance and manners
| The third characteristic of personalit.
pertains to the soul, to the inner mar
as he really is. Can this be changed
| Most decidedly. we can change o,
all questions of morality and politics
we can grow in intellectual power
We can become interested in thing
/ high and noble and of good reputc
Our outward life is as a whole an OK
preston of the inward life.
The teacher then must have TIL
F. I Ef6uL dJtItUuS@. t0WdT0o her W OFks TO
wards the speople with whom she as
sociates. She must adjust herself t
the community, not the community +
Eher. She must possess, Inner quail
ties. of love and good will towards all
Ia genuine spirit of helpf illness. ceu
pied with at1ligh ideal of the task i
hand. If she is filled with such a spir
it, her success is largely secured.
have dweIt at great lengt
on teaching personality. because it J
the prime cause of success or failur
in teaching. One person will Sue
coed where another fails. Why?
difference in personality.
Often a teacher feels she has yer
difficult school. The pupils are nc
interested in their studies.
The man or woman who finds him
self in sc1large of such a SchoUl is i
reality to be congratulated. Why
Because he has a real job worth dt
ing. Any one can teach boys an
girls who behave, who get their lie:
sons. who do everything just as tl1s
are told, but to take Is or 80 Chi
dren such as. have described AZ
bring about order, interest in studio
enthusiasm in school work, real c.
+ Zoo oJ.~