122 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



modern languages. It goes without saying that he should be compe- 

 tent for his position, that he should be thoroughly grounded in all the 

 departments of his specialty. But it must be remembered that he is, 

 after all, a human being, liable to the failings of a human being. The 

 born teacher will strive intuitively to be helpful to those under his 

 instruction. As far as he is able, he will try to understand the various 

 personalities which go to make up his class. These will necessarily 

 vary according to sex, age, social position, previous experience in life, 

 and as many other conditions, perhaps, as there are individuals in the 

 class. The teacher must learn to understand, if possible, these various 

 personalities, and to deal with them fairly and humanely. If a student 

 fails, the professor is not necessarily to be blamed. If a student makes 

 a brilliant success in after-years, the professor is not necessarily to be 

 praised. The spur which leads a student to ultimate success must 

 have come from within himself. If the professor can feel that he may 

 have been helpful in starting that student on the right path, he has his 

 reward. 



