THE TRAINED TEACHER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2149, 3 August 1907, Page 4

THE TRAINED TEACHER.

In the course of some introductory remarks at Dr. Alason’s lecture at" the Training College at AVellington on Tuesday night Mr. Lee (chairman of the AVellington Education Board) had some enteresting remarks to make (says the New Zealand Times) about what was required in teachers to make them of use and influence in the furtherance of education. Looking back over forty years lie could seethat the great want until now had been the • “trained” teacher. Not that we had been altogether without them. He mentioned certain gentlemen who he considered owed t-hicr present high rank in tho teaching profesion to the fact that they wore thoroughly trained men, with all that was necessary in the making of a teacher at their fingers’ ends. He noticed that at the late conference on education in England the best speakers had said that what was wanted in teachers was “the power to teach.” Though a great deal depended of course upon the teacher's ability and aptitude, a great deal more depended upon file training—in other words upon guidance, knowledge, and information which was given to any person to fit him for any walk in life. A teacher had to study tho minds and different characters of the children he taught, and to ascertain their particular aptitude for learning. He must ho able to stoop down to them and show them clearly what, to do. Unless lie. has these qualities lie was more or loss a failure. Air. Leo expressed gratification that the AVellington Training College was beginning so earnestly the work of training teachers. If the institution were given time lie was convinced that the education of the Dominion would greatly benifit by it.