Principles of Teaching | Page 9

put the question, "What is it that you like or dislike in teachers?" The group was a thoroughly typical group--real boys, full of life and equally full of frankness. They contributed the following replies:
1. We like a fellow that's full of pep. 2. We like a fellow that doesn't preach all the time. 3. We like a fellow that makes us be good. 4. We like a fellow that tells us new things.
Boylike, they were "strong" for pep--a little word with a big significance. Vigor, enthusiasm, sense of humor, attack, forcefulness--all of these qualities are summed up in these three letters.
And the interesting thing is that while the boys liked to be told new things, they didn't want to be preached at. They evidently had the boy's idea of preaching who characterized it as, "talking a lot when you haven't anything to say."
Still more interesting is the fact that boys like to be made to be good. In spite of their fun and their seeming indifference they really are serious in a desire to subscribe to the laws of order that make progress possible.
A principal of the Granite High School carried on an investigation through a period of four years to ascertain just what it is that students like in teachers. During those years students set down various attributes and qualities, which are summarized below just as they were given:
Desirable Characteristics Congeniality. Broadmindedness. Wide knowledge. Personality that makes discipline easy. Willingness to entertain questions. Realization that students need help. Sense of humor--ability to take a joke. Optimism--cheerfulness. Sympathy. Originality. Progressiveness. Effective expression. Pleasing appearance--"good looking." 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 attitude--aloofness. Partiality. Excitability. Irritability. Pessimism--"in the dumps." Indifferent assignments. Hazy explanations. Failure to cover assignments. Distracting facial expressions. Attitude 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 assignments. 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. Scholarship. 8. Vitality. 9. Fairness. 10. Reserve or dignity.
George Herbert Betts, in his stimulating book, How to Teach Religion, says there are three classes 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 gratitude 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 gratitude 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. Snobbish, 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.
19. Generous, open-hearted, Stingy, selfish, resentful. forgiving.
20. Responsive, congenial. Cold, repulsive, uninviting.
21. Punctual, on schedule, capable. Tardy, usually behindhand, incapable.
22. Methodical, consistent, logical. Haphazard, desultory, inconsistent.
23. Altruistic, given to service. Indifferent, not socially minded.
24. Refined, alive to beauty, Coarse, lacking aesthetic quality. artistic.
25. Self-controlled, decision, Suggestible, easily led, uncertain. purpose.
26. Good physical carriage, dignity. Lack of poise, ill posture, no grace.
27. Taste in attire, cleanliness, Careless in dress,