THE TEACHER'S PROFESSION

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 123, 27 May 1922, Page 8

THE TEACHER'S PROFESSION

OBLIGATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

The teacher is indeed fortunate in that, without effort on his part, he is given a social stilus .which most of us must learn (remarks an American paper). It is the status of the "gentle" man and gentle woman. When he enters the profession he assumes the obligations and restrictions of the order. If he falls from the .position in which his. fellow-citizens have placed him, there is a mighty thud, because of the eminence from which he, has descend-

cd. ' .. ■. . : ..'■■.•" -, There is no better evidence that, teachers on tho' whole are faithful to the ' expectations of those who clothe them with responsibility than the amazement with which an- occasional lapse is1 received. _ "Dead • flies cause: the ointment of th« apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that rs in reputation for wisdom and honour." Eccles. x., 1. ' ''■■'•,- The burden of example sometimes weighs heavily on the conscience of the teacher. He wearies of much meticulous behaviour imposed upon him by his profession. He longs for what ho fancies to be the uncensored freedom of "the man about town." This is only a momentary illusion, i however, for in his saner ; momenta he realises that j self-indulgences, both great and small, carry their penalties, even though they are no more severe than, to condemn one to a life of colourless mediocrity. And the carefree "man about town" is assayed from an early date by .various' agencies all the way from Dame Rumour to the local banker. ,■.:

One whose vocation is the making of impressions on the plastic minds of youth must present a personality ■ which is at all. times consistent with the truths which he expounds, for he is ever forcing home the axiom that precept1 is of value only when it directs the activities of daily living. The teacher holds a unique position in the thoughts of his pupils. His advice often takes precedence over that of parents. Children are imitative; too, so that a teacher's' moods, postures and tricks of speech may be copied by his proteges., It is therefore, incumbent —more, even, it is a matter of honour—that he guard his lips, that he be composed, that he be reserved in judgment, slow to anger, temperate and truthful even to the extent of avoiding the so-called "white lie." He must also be erect in posture, well-groom-ed and decently apparelled. Children are as sensitive to good taste in dross as adults are. Yet ite sometimes see a disconsolate shabbiness in the schoolroom that would not be tolerated or even ventured in a business office. It would, be considered an indication of lack both of self, rospect and of respect for patrons.