Statement from Commissioner of Education Earl McGrath, The Teacher's Role in Shaping Healthy Personalities

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STATEMENT * The Teacher's Role in Shaping Heal thy Personalities Most children like to go to school They like to go for a variety of reasons Usually when boys and girls are enthusiastic about school it is because they feel the teacher likes and understands them. In return, they like her . All over the country, classrooms reflect good pupil-relationships-. In such classrooms, every child comes to know that: He has friends in the class, his being "there" makes a difference, and he is missed when he is away. The teacher and principal believe in him. He and his school- mates have a part in planning what goes on in school . Their ideas count. His work is important to the group. Once he accepts responsibility for something which he is able to do and which is needed by the group, he must carry through; he approaches his responsibility with confidence that he can carry it. He knows that he does not have to work exactly as others do; instead, he can work at a pace and in a way that is comfortable for him. He learns, however, that he must often work hard to, do the work he really wants to do. He can get help in carrying out his responsibilities from his teacher and classmates, from books and other source materials as he works alone, in a group, or as a committee member. He is becoming more .skillful day by day as he learns to read, write, figure, listen, and talk; to make decisions on the basis of what he reads, hears, sees, and discusses; to express himself creatively through different mediums; and to work with materials and tools. He knows that as he becomes more skillful both he and the group profit. Other, children respect his rights and belongings and he is learning to respect their rights and belongings He can trust the teacher and his classmates and they can have faith in him. % By Earl J. McGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education, Federal Security Agency, Washington, D. C., for Child Health Day clipsheet, February 9, 1953.