London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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warm msn., 1 smut Li nemo N'-onoof' DR. C. E. MARK Principal, London Normal School afn Jpprecia tion It is with a feeling of deep regret that we learn that Dr. C. E. Mark plans on retiring from his position as Principal of the London Normal School at the close of the present school year. Such a step brings to a conclusion many years of useful service greatly appreciated not only by members of the staff who have been associated with him, but also by a host of student-teachers who have received their training under him. Dr. Mark was born on a farm near the village of Little Britain, in Victoria County. He attended a rural school for his elementary education and obtained at the close a high school entrance certificate. From this school he went to Lindsay Collegiate Institute when Mr. J. C. Hartstone was Principal, under whose direction the school came to be regarded as one of the outstanding schools of the province. Principal Hartstone, who held the view that education was as much concerned with the development of character as with the imparting of knowledge, sought, by introducing cricket as a phase of school life, to exert an influence on his pupils to play the game whether in school or in after life. It was in such an atmosphere that Dr. Mark learned the value and the importance of dealing fairly with all, whether teachers or students, a principle which has been a guiding force during his long career as a teacher. After graduating from the Collegiate Institute, Dr. Mark attended the County Model School at Lindsay. Subsequently he taught for three years in a rural school-S.S. No. 7, Eldon, Victoria County. At the close of his rural school teaching, Dr. Mark enrolled in Victoria College, University of Toronto, and after four years of study in the institution he graduated with honours in the Department of Philosophy. Later he attended the Faculty of Education at Toronto, where he obtained a high school assistant's as well as a public school teacher's certificate. After graduation, he taught for one year on the staff of the Toronto public schools. At the end of the year he was appointed to the staff of the Ottawa Normal Model School, where, for the first time, he became identified with the work of teacher training. After several years as assistant he was made Principal of the Normal Model School. From this position he was transferred to the staff of the Ottawa Normal School as Master in charge of School Management. From Ottawa he went to Toronto Normal School as head of the Department of Science of Education. In 1931, Dr. Mark came to the London Normal School as Principal. At the end of this year he completes seventeen years of service in this position. During this time, 2,945 student- teachers have received the benefit of his instruction and direction, have been certificated and have obtained posi- tions in the schools, mainly of south-western Ontario. In addition to his work both as Assistant and Principal in the Normal School, Dr. Mark has served as instructor in summer schools during sixteen summers. In 1919, Dr. Mark completed the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy. The subject of his thesis for this degree was A Survey of the Public Schools of Ottawa. During his entire Normal School period in the work of teacher training, Dr. Mark's experienced teaching and influence have reached all parts of the province of Ontario, from Ottawa to Windsor. His leadership in education has at all times been recognized. A rich experience and a sound secondary and university education have adequately equipped him to give his students a philosophy of education and a way of life that far trans- cends the classroom. J. G. M., R. H. R. Page Two

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Elle Specfrum 1 9 4 8 U C0 OLNSD 0' 3 u 'L fo GOA, 'A' 'A' 'A' i' LONDON NORMAL SCHOOL

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and-oa.unsc,,,vJ n V i f THE HONOURABLE GEORGE A. DREW Premier of Ontario Minister of Education Graduates of our Normal Schools are again in very keen demand. Never have our people exhibited greater faith in education. In a large measure, the fulfilment of their hopes depends upon you, who will teach in the schools. What you will teach is importantg what kind of people your pupils become, as you teach them, is still more important. You leave this intensive stage of your professional training with proved equipment. You have reviewed much of the factual material which you must pass on to your charges. You have learned a good deal about the nature of the child and about the way he develops through his learning activities. You have studied the fundamentals of school organization and have taught classes under the direction of successful, experienced teachers. You have learned that every part of school procedure is for the benefit of the child. Soon you will take charge of your own school or classroom, assuming responsibilities which are always exact- ing and sometimes difficult to define. Do not think that you are to be wholly dependent on your own resources. You will have many allies-your colleagues, your school board, the parents of your pupils and, when you gain their confidence, the pupils themselves. You have at your call the advice and assistance of the inspectors and the other experts in the Department of Education. Do not think it a sign of weakness to seek their assistance. At your disposal are the means of training-in-service which will transform you from promising beginners into skilled practitioners of a great profession. Books and journals, discussion groups and special summer sessions will claim your attention. These will be useful exactly in proportion to your ability to think clearly and critically about your own experience, and to relate to it all that you read and hear. Above all else, you will carry with you into your new teaching positions the good will and confidence of the people of this Province. This I am sure you will justify by your generous contribution not only of industry but also of enthusiasm for your profession and of sustained interest in the children whom you teach. GEORGE A. DREW, Minister of Education. Page Three