A number of years ago Clapp conducted a similar survey among one hundred
leading school men of America, asking them to list the ten most
essential characteristics of a good teacher. From the lists sent in
Clapp compiled the ten qualities in the order named most frequently by
the one hundred men:

1. Sympathy.
2. Address.
3. Enthusiasm.
4. Sincerity.
5. Personal Appearance.
6. Optimism.
7. Scholarship.
8. Vitality.
9. Fairness.
10. Reserve or dignity.

George Herbert Betts, in his stimulating book, _How to Teach Religion_,
says there are three classes of teachers:

"Two types of teachers are remembered: One to be forgiven after years
have softened the antagonisms and resentments; the other to be
thought of with honor and gratitude as long as memory lasts. Between
these two is a third and a larger group: those who are forgotten,
because they failed to stamp a lasting impression on their pupils.
This group represents the mediocrity of the profession, not bad
enough to be actively forgiven, not good enough to claim a place in
gratitude and remembrance."