Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1956-03-24
Marks OLA Good Teacher

Sometime ago, read editorial on the sub
jec Marks of Good Teacher" from the very capaby
edited Central Christian Advocate the official organ
of the Central Jurisdiction which is the organization
of Negro Methodist Churches
We considered the editorial of such significance to
justify in holding it to be reprinted here the
Fiftieth Anniversary Convention of the Mississippi
Teachers Association whose theme u.s. Professional Com
petence, Today's Challenge.
The editorial from the Central Christian Advocate
follows Teachers constantly up for evauation of
kind another. They generally termed excellent,
good fair, poor, etc. And judgments frequently
made on a superficial basis. DR.. Percival Symonds of
Columbia university has recently completed study in
which he concludes that way to tell good teacher
from poor one is to find out whether she likes her
pupils.
An educational and clinical psychologist. DR.. Sy-
monds conducted study of teacher personality traits.
of effective teacher by Analysing pupils reactions to
their teachers The three major differences in the per-
sonaities of and good teachers appear to be-
cording to Dr. SymOnds, that:
/. Superior teachers like children; inferior ones dis
like them.
2. Superior teachers are personally secure and
sefassured those less efficient insecure and have
feelings of nadequacy
3. Superior teachers are we'll adjusted and possess
good personality organization; inferior per-
sonally disorganiZed.
The study conducted in junior high school
with SO teachers and 453 pupils The pupils We're asked
such questions Which of your teachers makes
the work most interesting? Which of your teachers
understands you be and likes you most? The principal
ranked the teachers such characteristics dscipin
ing contror and relationship with pupils"
Superior teachers showed their liking for pupils
in many ways. They knew the names of their pupils
and knew something of their background and interests
Inferior teachers showed their dislike for children by
displaying cold and unapproachabe attitude and by
complaining of how stupid, lazy and troublesome
students These teachers characterized by
scoldng nagging bullying, threatening, picking stu
dents and by the of and rdcu The better
teachers used punishment less frequently
Observers noted that the better teachers worked
little harder and liked their work better At the end of
the class. the inferior teacher would sigh with relief
and show obvious pleasure at seeing the pupils leave
Preparing for class unpleasant chore.
Good teachers found among those who main
tanned a formal attitude in the classroom and also
among those who were casual The basic determnant
the inner personality of the teacher rather than in
outward behavior in the classroom
1t is our feeling that the implications of this study
far and wide While it deals directly with teachers
in schoolroom situation, the findings doubt
relevant to teaching and leadership responsibilities in
general genuine love for people is vital necessity
whether is teacher minister, church worker in
eny activity where growth and development to be
achieved They are the inner qualities of people which
make the difference.
There is urgent need not only for more teachers
and leaders. The need is for an improved quality of
persons who love people, feel within themselves
and in their work. have passion for service and sks
for significant achievements.