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

Page 11 text:

The first time you read over this Yearbook you will probably skip anything as formal and dull as a foreword. In later days, in a reminiscent or thoughtful mood, you may turn over these pages again. I hope, at such time, that you will on reading this message reflect on your responsibilities as a teacher and consider some of the experiences that make teaching worthwhile. In these days of change and reorganization, it may seem to some people that we have totally abandoned our past to seek salvation in anything that is new or different. While there is a tendency for educational institutions to be conservative and we must continually search for viable relationships with life as it exists, we have not, in my opinion, ever sought to abandon our past. It is probably as true today as it was many years ago that the things a teacher lives by are the things of the spirit. In this connection, I would hope that faith is still with us - faith in mankind, faith in the final sovereignty of truth and faith in ourselves. I would hope that optimism is still with us - optimism to brighten a dull day or to enhance monotony. I would hope that good- will is still with us for this makes our relationships with our fellows more pleasant and more positive and helps to turn the wheels of existence more smoothly. Finally, I would hope that success is still with us - the success that springs from the knowledge that we have given our best and have not been found wanting. I have mentioned but a few of the things of the spirit. You will be able to add others of your own. I hope, as you read this page, that either you look forward to success in teaching or are able to contemplate a success that is already under way. That it has been said so often in no way diminishes the fact that the girls and boys of this Province hold the future - yours and mine - in their hands and your responsibilities as a teacher still demand the best that you can offer as they always have. I wish each of you the best of good fortune in your career. February 13, 1970. William G. Davis, Minister of Education. 7

Page 10 text:

I am delighted to again have this opportunity to extend to the students of the London Teachers ' College my good wishes as you prepare to take your place in the classrooms of our province. If our province and our country are to continue to grow economically and in the richness of the life to which we all aspire, we must have a highly educated citizenry. A great deal of our success in the future will depend upon your ability to instill in your students the human values and ethics of our society. On behalf of the people and Government of Ontario, I congratulate you for having chosen this calling and assure you of the support of all Ontarians in your teaching profession.

Page 12 text:

After a year of preparations, farewells have been spoken, lines safely aboard and you are underway, launched upon your teaching career. Tedious as were the preparations, they were accom- plished. You are satisfied that you are ready to voyage forth. You have been guided , counselled and sometimes chided by the staff at London Teachers ' College, as skilled and as diligent a group of enthusiastic educators as you are likely to encounter. Their concern was to get you underway, equipped as well as possible to succeed as teachers. Surely you are already aware that education is a stormy passage. Veering gusts and gales of conflicting opinions on curricula and methodology have already given you much thought concerning the laying out of your course. Surely, too, you have observed that the staff at London Teachers ' College, your associate teachers and your own colleagues demonstrating that in this in- exact science of teaching that there is no one way but that there are as many ways as are required to be successful in communicating with your pupils. I would wish for you common sense, which when acquired in uncommon measure is what the world calls wisdom, to differentiate between first rate practices, worthwhile innovative techniques and the cyclonic fads in education that threaten to throw you far off of your course. In wishing you bon voyage I hope that you will always be aware that the staff and the College remains a safe harbour and, should you have need, one that stands ready to offer aid and support. Sincerely, D.F. Harris Principal 8