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

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At the conclusion of a lesson, you have been advised to ask yourself, If I were to teach the lesson over again, what would I do differently? Such reflection, if constructive, is likely to cause the in- dividual; first, to recognize his strengths and weaknesses; second, to make the most of his strengths; and third, to attempt to correct or compensate for his weaknesses. At the close of this year of professional training which may have seemed the busiest, swiftest year in your life, I recommend the same personal appraisal, If I were to live this year over again, what would I do differently? Such stock-taking would be well advised at the end of each year of your teaching career. Have I made the most of my strengths? Have I taken steps to correct my weaknesses? Have I striven stead- fastly for the goals worthy of my profession? Have I kept the child ' s needs first and my personal interests second? Have I been deserving of the respect of my fellow teachers? Have I been true to the trust placed upon me by parents, by my students, and by my superiors? Honest answers to such questions should help you to clarify your vision and to strengthen your determination as you continue your education as a teacher, the first phase of which you will have completed on the receipt of your certificate. With my best wishes for your success and happiness, may I close with the very common, but significant quotation, Actions speak louder than words . Your worth as a teacher of children will be determined by what you are, far more than by what you say. The Master Teacher demonstrated this truth throughout His life, and expressed the same sentiment when he said, By their fruits, ye shall know them . 7

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VICE-PRINCIPAL OF TEACHERS ' COLLEGE To the Graduates of 1965-66. The time comes to each of us, whether he be musically inclined or not, to sing his swan song. This being my forty- fifth year in the teaching profession it might naturally be expected that I should have formed some definite opinions regarding both teaching and teachers. May I state most sincerely that teaching can be and should be a most satisfying experience. It is satisfying to realize at the end of the trail that some pupil, student or teacher may, at some time along the way, have been pleased to have had your guidance, advice or even your sympathy and may have benefitted therefrom. It is also satisfying to feel that you may have been present at some critical moment when a student was in need of the encouragement which may have made the difference between his abandoning the profession or going on to success. Imparting academic knowledge and the development of the proper attitudes toward the various subjects and even to work itself are among the duties of any teacher. However, other aspects of your teaching will be remembered long after much of the academic knowledge you tried to impart has been forgotten or has become obsolete. It is important that the pupils should have learned to accept the challenges of the classroom and to have learned how to solve problems with which they were confronted. Each individual teacher in whose care a child has been placed has a very important influence in the development of the child ' s philosophy of life and his attitudes towards his fellow pupils, which will be tranferred in later life to the society in which he must live. May I urge you not to forget this human side of the learning experience. Mark Twain summed up these ideas very effectively when he stated, I never let my schooling interfere with my education. A teacher must like people, especially children. A teacher must have an abundant supply of patience and understanding. A teacher must believe that religion is a way of life and must be willing to exemplify his religion in his daily contacts with pupils and his fellow teachers. I have enjoyed all the phases of teaching; teacher, principal, and inspector in the public schools; master, vice- principal and acting- principal in the Teachers ' College. It is with many fond memories that I now leave the College and the profession. But I must also say that I leave with regret. I believe that any teacher who can leave the profession without some regrets, should never have been a member of it. May I wish each of you the best of luck in the years ahead, but also remind you that there is no such word as luck without ' U ' ; and that . . . If you think you ' ll lose, you ' ve lost, For out in this world you ' ll find, Success begins with a fellow ' s will It ' s all in your state of mind. 6

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MINISTER OF EDUCATION In company with people of all races and all creeds all over the world, the people of Onta rio are showing, as perhaps never before, a keen interest in education and the product of our school system. In a large measure, the fulfilment of the hopes of our citizens depends upon you who will teach in the schools and prepare our children for their life in our modern technological world. What you teach will be important, but how you teach it, your professional competence, and your own character as a person will have equal importance. As one man phrased it, Education without attention to the building of character will do nothing more than produce a race of clever robots . Your responsibilities, as you take up your duties in our schools next September will be both exacting and difficult. You will not, however, be alone. You will have many allies, your colleagues, your board of trustees, the parents of your children and, when you have gained their confidence, your children themselves. You will have at your call the advice and assistance of your supervisors and the resources of the Department of Education. Do not hesitate to seek assistance when you need it. After a year at Teachers ' College, your professional training is behind you, your professional growth is still ahead. You carry with you the confidence of the Department of Education and the good will of the people of our Province as you begin your career. May your teaching days be happy and rewarding! William G. Davis Minister of Education. Toronto, November 18, 1965.