The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-30
THURSDAY, MARCH 80, 1850.
Portrait of a Teacher
BY Mrs. Kermit Glotfelty


In all Of our problems concerning
our Public Schools, there is key
figure. This most important person IS
the teacher and her personality. She
is the one who really determines
whether our schools are progressive,
outstanding or mediocre. q am re-
fcrring to both men and women
tcachers).
| would like to state what cOnst-
tutes a good teacher in my own per-
sonal opinion. | have had training and
experience as a teacher, and have al
ways been interested in new develop
ments in education.
In my opinion, good teacher IS
one who has chosen this profession,
above all others, because it is the task
she likes best and the one to which
she is willing to bring her best tai
ents and efforts.
A good teacher will be properly
trained for her work. She will strive
to obtain the best knowledge and skill
for the particular group she is to
teach. and she will study constantly
to improve herself.
She will be a humble person, be-
cause she will realize, no matter how
many College Degrees she may pos
sess. that, compared to the worlds
great storehouse of knowledge, her
own is really very limited.
A good teacher will be able to
maintain discipline i'm her class room,
yet allow for the proper amount Of
self-eXpreSsion. In that respect | wish
to quote j. Edgar Hoover who says,
Our exaggerated ideas Of self-eX-
preston, held by both parents and
teachers, are helping to fill our
prisons"
Not only will she have the ability
to teach a subject, but good teach
er will also make that subject in
teresting. | remember a certain
teacher in High School, who made the
study of History so interesting, there
was never dull minute in his classes.
The whole drama Of human history
was a very real one to him, and he
opened whole new avenues of think
ing to the students. | always looked
forward to his classes. and from that
day to this | have liked the study Of
history.
On the other hand, | can remember
another teacher, who taught a sub
icct, which would have been equally
interesting, and it was with difficulty
one could stay awake in her classes,
Incidentally, the most interesting
teachers | ever had were the ones
having the least problems of disci-
pine, which leads me to believe, that
discipline problems arise, at least
sometimes, from a teachers made
quate preparation for her days work.
| am going to say something here,
which will, no doubt, bring criticism
from some teachers. Nevertheless, |
believe it so strongly, | am going to
say it anyway.
| believe a good teacher will try to
visit the homes of the children, under
her care, at some time during the
year A look around at the child's en-
vironment, will give her an under
standing of the youngster like moth
ing else possibly can. A chat with
Nom in her house dress and Dad at
his work, will help to create under
standing and bind them together in a
common purpose, which no P.-TA.
meeting will ever do, and | have a
very high regard for the P.-T.A., too.
A good teacher will take part in
the community activities, of which
she is a part. 1t can be her privilege
to help to raise the level of thinking
of that very community.
I have described what III my opinion
constitutes a good teacher.
Now, want to drop the word
good" and substitute tn c word
best"
Our best teachers are our Christian
teachers They are the ones, whose
daily lives and thinking are guided by
the Eternal Truths, which Jesus, the
Master Teacher, taught US a |.
Throughout the years, they have been
the ones with vision to lift the teach
ing profession from mediocrity to any
good it may have achieved. 1t was
the Christian church leaders who first
made education for all possible. | be-
licvc the Christian teacher is one who
strives to excel in her work, and who