25. System and order are qualifications of the teacher that make for success.
26. A prudent teacher will use studied methods and plans, and not let the occasion suggest the procedure. Avoid teaching according to method books and teachers’ papers only.
27. Concentration of mind and purpose are essential to the successful teacher.
28. Patience is a requisite for every teacher’s work.
29. A teacher should be religious. Refrain from talking religion in the school-room. Attack no pupil’s religion. Sunday School can be attended, with profit, by the teacher. He should judge for himself whether or not he should teach a Sunday School class.
30. The teacher must exercise care as to the extent of his social activities. He should not exclude himself from social gatherings, but should use great caution about what he says of others.
31. Finally, the teacher must be a true leader. His reward must not be measured in dollars and cents, but by results from service rendered.
PART TWO
The School
After so thoroughly discussing the requisites of the teacher—those elements that will make success possible—it is expedient that a short discussion should follow on the school, the child’s home during his school career. The influence of a well kept building and premises is far reaching. Some years ago a stranger stopped in a western town, where he was very favorably impressed with the neatness of the homes and their surroundings. Upon investigation he found a small school building, but to his surprise, the humble, little three-room school was beautiful in its setting, and ivy clung to its brick walls making them look cheerful. There were flower beds in the yards and neatly kept gravel walks. Over the gate were vines. The windows had neat blinds and snowy-white curtains. The stranger asked to be admitted into the school building. On the inside he saw the same careful attention to neatness. The floors were clean, the walls tinted and adorned with excellent pictures and mottoes. The furniture showed no marks of defacement. With this little school as an example, the stranger could understand why the little town presented such a neat appearance. He further learned that the people, including the boys and girls, were a quiet peace-loving people whose culture was far above the average. The little, well kept school may not have been the only influence, but it played a great part in shaping the ideas of the town folk. It must not be overlooked, however, that no matter in what condition the building and its surroundings may be, the success of the teacher will depend largely upon his preparation, ability and those other essentials and qualities that make the true teacher. Still it cannot be denied that the surroundings of the child are important factors in his development.