University of Ottawa - Annuaire Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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TAWA NORMAL SCHOOL YEXAR BOOK cms 19 F. A. JONES. M.A., D. Paed.. Acting Principal G. A. MILLER, M.A., B. Paed. H, W, KERFOOT, B.A., B, Paed. X41

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INTRODUCTIGN HE editorial committee of the Ottawa Normal School Year Book tenders to all its readers a hearty greeting. They express the hope that this year's publication will prove in no way inferior to those that have gone before it. The aim of the publication is to reflect the character and spirit of the school, to epitomize as it were its life, describe its teaching staff and student body, record any events of note that have taken place in the school during the current year, to record also the distinctions achieved by our alumni and afford the students a means of expressing themselves in regard to what may be of benefit or interest to them. Readable contributions on a Wide variety of topics, by no means excluding those in a lighter vein, are eminently in place on its pages. The Committee expresses its indebtedness to those whose able and interesting articles have done much to make the Year Book a success. The Committee, on behalf of the school, hopes that those who come after may find inspiration in the pages of this publication. We, who have studied Within the walls of the school, extend to our successors all the good wishes in their year's Work that could be expressed by fellow teachers. 'Ghz Gommittee

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OTTA WA NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR BOOK ow 1928 Our Re5p0mz'bz'lz'rz'e5 as Teczclaery BY REv. R. LAMOUREUX, B.A., Ph.D., Principal, Bfzlmgual Normal School orraw.-x UNIVERSITY OUR teaching will be an asset to society and not a liability according to the measure in which the responsibilities involved are realized and discharged. A better knowledge of the duties incumbent upon you as teachers, and more particularly as Canadian teachers, will urge you on to a better performance of your task. Your first duty is to instil in the minds of your pupils a taste for study. Intellectual effort is the dread of our time. Real study has given way to light reading. VVe are more interested in facts than in concepts and theories. Glaring head- lines are preferred to editorials. To dispense ourselves from the painstaking process of per- sonal investigation, ready-made judgments, as handed out by the press in its various forms, are absorbed in enormous quantities. Scholarship and culture are on the decrease. Such a state of intellectual apathy is most detrimental to the best interests of Canada. History bears witness that the influence of nations is determined by their culture. Mind will always dominate matter. The responsibility of imparting this culture rests with the teachers. They must first possess it. When the teaching body of any country ceases to possess and to hand down as a sacred inheritance that incomparable treasure ing and culture, that nation begins journey down the highway of decad.ence. A second duty is to enkindle in the your pupils a true Canadian spirit. Nations soar to heroic achievement or descend to vulgar mediocrity according as patriotism strongly or faintly beats in human souls. A patriotic educa- tion is all the more urgent in Canada that the .very existence of a Canadian spirit is threatened. We are daily in contact with American publi- cations, songs, plays, dances, etc., and are being influenced by them. A real Canadian state of mind isbeingtransformed through this daily con- tact with the various manifestations of American thought and art. It is your duty as Canadian teachers to counteract this growing evil. Another danger is sectionalism. Canada be- cause of its immensity presents great geographi- cal contrasts. These divergencies create amongst the inhabitants of the many provinces divergent interests. These oppositions may easily lead to strife. Our patriotism should be vast enough to embrace the nine provinces. Canada was built up by two great peoples. The actual descendants of these two illustrious l of learn- its sad souls of nations, though living side by side, are both desirous, and quite legitimately so, of preserving their national customs and traditions. Here again is an opportunity for dissension. It must be obviated. If one love Canada with his whole heart and soul it little matters whether he be of English or French origin. The teachers can bring about this unity. Unity is to be fostered through a more intimate knowledge of one another by the members of both races. A better mutual acquaintance, a deeper comprehension of one another's view- point, a keener knowledge of the other's peculiar qualities can lead but to a deeper sympathy and appreciation of one another. This can be done by the teacher especially through the teaching of Canadian history. Therein the English-speaking pupil will find the French-Canadian heroes with all their racial traits, just as the French-speaking pupil will meet the illustrious characterization of English qualities. Loving Canada, the pupils will necessarily love those who made it what it is. Your responsibilities as teachers are great and the end to be achieved is of such import that nothing should stay you in your efforts. Mesxage from Dr. fozzes He who surrenders himself lo a great ideal bemmes great , N September 1927 we met as strangers. During the intervening months we have worked together and learned to esteem one another as friends. The year has been filled with varied experiences. VVe have laughed and lamented: we have toiled and triumphed: we have looked for the best in others, and given the best we had ourselves: and we have learned that the true teacher must be ruler of himself and servant of mankind. You are entering upon a profession that holds out for you a rich reward though it offers little in the way of wealth or fame. You may have to live in obscurity and contend against ignorance and folly. But in quickening the indolent, encouraging the backward, and strengthening the weak, you will light many candles that will brighten your pathway in later years-this is your reward. Your lives are not in the past but in the future. You will achieve success if you live well, laugh often, and love much. Success not measured by great deeds, but by little acts of kindness performed by those who scatter happiness on every side and strew all life with hope and good cheer. Goodness is better than gold, character surpasses intellect. With just such comrades, just such friends, lVe fain would walk till the journey ends.