A Brief Professional Philosophy for Teaching of High School Mathematics

One of the most important factors in success in teaching is the attitude of the teacher toward his job, toward the pupils, and toward the subject which he teaches, in short, his viewpoint with regard to these factors in the learning situation. You no doubt remember the Biblical quotation (Proverbs 29:18) “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Surely where the teacher has no vision as to his responsibilities, his opportunities, the possibilities of his job, if he has no vision as to the beauties of mathematics, its power, its eternal verity, its universality, its great value in the process of educating young people as citizens of our republic, as members of a family group, for their vocations, or to develop ethical character, the pupils perish. The teacher who has no vision as to the value to the state and to the local community of the young people who como to him for instruction, the teacher who does not sense the wonderful possibilities enshrined in them, who does not comprehend the anxiety of parents and friends for their success and welfare has not the vision to be a teacher.