THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 217, 1 June 1918, Page 2

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

CRITICISM AND ADVICE. : Teachers had a talk with one another last night at a raeoting of the Wellington branch of tliu New Zealand Educational Institute. Mr. A. Mackenzie prosided. Mr. \Y". H...L. Foster opened tho diacussion with a very wiso and candid disoussion of his profession, and the estimation in which it was held. Hβ ivas not a despairing commentator on his own colleagues'. work, but ho did say somo quite shrewd words about tho teacher's habit of mind, eiigondeied as it was bjr the trick of dealing with children—by tho habit of "little brief authority." Ho made a suggestion that if tho teacher would chooso his recreations away from his work and his friends, among anybody but teachers, ho would bo a better oiti?cn, and a better teacher. The feachor ought to cultivate a fconso of humournot such as wouid mnko him appreciate a good story—but such «s would niako him get a proper sense of proportion of his relationship towards his work and his children, and the relationship of tho children towards himself. Mr. Foster went on to openk of lli« stnmliiiff of thn profession in the community. Ho Enid that if tho teachers wished in bo esteemed they should show Hint thov esteemed themselves. Following up this theme, he epoko of tho financial nspocl, nrginj; that teachers had a right to jio paid better thnn tho ]nurnnyinan draper. The subject or group of subjects wns discussed from divorao points of view by members present nl; Ilio inociinj,', A vole of (linnkn \vm accorded In Mr. Poster.