SUCCESSFUL TEACHERS

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 8, 1880

SUCCESSFUL TEACHERS.

MRS. EMMA T. PLATTS read a paper before a late meeting of the S. D. Baptist Eastern Association at Rockville, R. I., on The Successful Teacher, from which we take the following extract:—

“Accustomed as our children are, at the present time, to accuracy and clearness of statement in their teachers at secular schools, we cannot expect them to be satisfied with loose, slipshod teaching at Sabbath-school, begotten of inadequate preparation. Two superintendents lay strong emphasis upon the teachers’ meeting in connection with thoroughness of preparation.

“The next element of success I find to be a genial, winning manner not only in presentation of the truth of the lesson, but before and after recitation, variously described as, “enlarging upon the bright side of the lesson,” “sometimes teaching the lesson by stories,” “entering into the spirit of what she is teaching,” “takes special pains to be agreeable in manner to his class, and has their entire confidence,” “talks with her scholars in a kind, pleasant way, about other things than the Bible.”

“Closely allied to this, is that of personal interest in the individuals of the class, in school and out of school. Referring again to my authorities, I find this, in the description of one of the best teachers: “She is kind and affectionate, knows all about her scholars, visits them often, very often, has them visit her, makes them feel she is their friend.” Of another it is said: “He is not severe in his class, but keeps their attention by the kindly interest he manifests in them. Their love for him enables him to exert a wonderful influence over them,” and then is added, “you know that those whom we love have a mighty influence over us for either good or evil.” Could all our Sabbath-school children have this sense of companionship with their teacher, this feeling that my Sabbath-school teacher is my best friend, I believe we should hear much less of the difficulty of keeping our young people in the Sabbath-school.

“To the qualifications already enumerated there is added that of an untiring purpose, made up of love for the work, faith in the truth, and trust in the great Helper, from whom, after all planting and watering, cometh the increase.”