A tribute to the unknown teacher

Media

Part of The Philippine Educator

Title: A tribute to the unknown teacher
Language: English
Year: 1947
Rights
Fulltext: ' .. A TRIBUT~ TO THE~ UNKNOWN TEACHER ............ _._. - And what of teaching? Ah, there you have the worst paid, and the best rewarded, of aU the vocations: ~are not to enter it unless you love it. For the 'vast majority of men and women it has no promise o.f wealth or fame, but they, to whom it is dear for its own sake, are among the nobility of mankind. I sing the praise of the unknown teachers. Great generals win ~ paigns, but it is the unknown soldier who wins the war. Famous educators plan new systems of pedagogy, but it is the unknown teacher who delivers and guides the young. He lives in obscurity and contends with hardship. For him no trwnpets blare, no chariots wait, no golden deco~ations are decreed. He k~eps the watch along the borders of darkness and makes the attack on the trenches of ignorance and folly. Patient in his daily duty, hE7 strives to conquer the evil powers which are the enemies of youth. He awakens .sleeping spirits. He quickens the i~ dolent, encourages the eager, and steadies the unstable. He communicates his owp joy in learning and shares with boys and· girls the best treasures of his mind. He lights many candles which, in later years, will shine back to cheer him. This is his reward. Knowledge may be gained from books, but the love o.f knowledge is transmitted only by personal contact. No one has deserved better of the republic than the unknown teacher. No one is more worthy to be enrolled in a democratic aristocracy, "king of himself and servant of mankind.". , .... HENRY VAN DYKE FOR MODERN OPTICAL NEEDS-SEE KEEPSAKE OPTICAL-SO ~ 3 :.