The Oglala light. [volume], September 01, 1917, Image 5

About The Oglala light. [volume] ([Pine Ridge, S.D.]) 190?-19??

Image provided by: South Dakota State Historical Society – State Archives

                
PERHAPS
SPIRIT OF THE TEACHER
BY DAVID P. PAGE.
In The Theory and Practice of Teaching.
the very first question that the honest individual will
ask himself, as he proposes to assume the teacher's office, or to
enter upon a preparation for it, will be—"What manner of
spirit am I of?" No question can be more important. I would by
no means undervalue that degree of natural talent—of mental power,
which all justly consider so desirable in the candidate for the teacbh
er's office. But the true spirit of the teacher,—a spirit that seeks
not alone pecuniary emolument, but desires to be in the highest de
gree useful to those who are to be taught a spirit that elevates above
everything else the nature and capabilities of the human soul, and
and that trembles under the responsibility of attempting to be its
educator a spirit that looks upon gold as the contemptible dross of
earth, when compared with that imperishable gem which is to be
polished and brought out into Heaven's light to shine forever a spir
it that scorns all the rewards of earth, and seeks that highest of all
rewards, an approving conscience and an approving God a spirit
that earnestly inquires what is right, and that dreads to do what is
wrong a spirit that can recognize and reverence the handiwork of
God in every child, and that burns with the desire to be instrument
al in training it to the highest attainment of which it is capable,—
such a spirit is the first thing to be sought by the teacher, and with
out it the highest talent cannot make him truly excellent in his pro
fession.
The candidate for the office of the teacher should look well to
his motives. It is easy to enter upon the duties of the teacher with-
5.