The development of leadership in prospective teachers

Abstract

School boards, state superintendents, and college presidents agree that teachers fail not because of lack of knowledge of subject matter or lack of methods in presenting subject matter, but because of their inability to adapt themselves to social conditions. Apparently many are not interested in becoming members of the social group in the community in which they find themselves. In reality they are interested, especially if they are the type from which real teachers are made; but because of lack of confidence, lack of knowledge and experience in how to go about bringing themselves into co-operative relationship with the community, they fail to make the adjustment. It would seem that if the teacher training institutions gave to this type of work-namely, development of personality, development of community interests and relationships-the same impetus that they do to subject matter and methods, the student as he goes into the community would respond in this as he has already done in the field of subject matter. The very nature of our public schools makes them the best active agents for leadership, and it is the teachers from whom the people may well expect a reasonable service in addition to their classroom work. They have an opportunity for leadership not possessed to the same degree by any other person in the community. What is the secret of a teacher's successful leadership? First, are his personal qualities, power of initiative, courage, adaptability, tact, good judgment of situations, and industry. He knows his people and has a store of common sense. He leads best by discovering and helping to develop local leaders among the people themselves. He sees the situation as it is, visions it as it might be, and endeavors by example and suggestion to lead the people to better ways, to greater enjoyment, and appreciation in their everyday lives; and by so doing enables them to approach more nearly than they have done at present the best that their surroundings afford. The urge toward leadership is stronger and more commonly distributed than is generally supposed. We lack leadership because we lack faith in the so-called common man. We use the same leaders over and over until they reach the point of diminishing returns. We assume that because a person has won success in some form he is destined to be successful in others. Leadership in a democracy cannot be inherited-neither can it be purchased. The very nature of our Constitution prohibits these. Neither fortune nor