There are five stories impressed me of the previous two parts. Finally, I chose the story of William Lyon Phelps due to the personal respect to this great man, who has been the role model of my life for more than 10 years. I want to be a teacher as inspiring as he was, and a person as wise as he was.
Being the most popular professor at Yale, Mr Phelps taught English Literature and his course was well attended on campus. The students were attracted by his engaging speaking style and his passion involved with what he taught. I knew him for reading his teaching stories many years ago. I could vaguely remember his words that a real gentle would respect the people who can be of no possible value to him. At that time, I was surprised that there was someone who could depict the way of being modest and having courtesy so concisely and clearly. I sensed that he must be a particularly attractive and wise man for those novel ideas and unique thoughts. He taught me many things which had influenced me far more than I knew in my life. For example, the words of him, when you do not succeed at first, go to find out if the losers get anything, inspired me to take account of different perspectives or facets for one thing when dealing with difficulties or making decisions. Also, I learnt how to speak and act with deep humility from him and have gained well interpersonal relationship. Basically, I have been trying to master and intentionally cultivate all the skills and traits of leadership presented by him.
Before I read the book, I had no idea about his story with President Timothy Dwight. I was delighted to find out that Mr Phelps was attracted and influenced by another great man. I read the role of influence involved in leadership last week and considered that a good leadership style could make leaders through unconscious influence. This should be the most significant power of influence in the process of leadership. Those eloquent words said by the great man he admired stayed with him and shaped his life and ambitions (Watson, 1951). And I was influenced by him the same way. Realizing this power of influence makes me more confident to believe in leadership.
The story of Mr Phelps also enhanced my faith in my profession of teaching. He made it clear that education could bring not only knowledge but also happiness. He wrote:
“Advanced education may or may not make men and women more
efficient; but it enriches personality, increases the wealth of the mind, and
hence brings happiness. It is the finest insurance against old age, against
the growth of physical disability, against the lack and loss of animal
delights. (Watson, 1951, p. 21)”
I was deeply impressed by these words. I printed them immediately and hung the paper on the wall. They were like the shining beacon I had been waiting for the whole time. Mr Phelps had given education a deeper meaning and a meaningful task to the educators at the same time. And I am honour to execute the task, to help more people acquire intellectual or artistic tastes, to help them furnish the minds and hang more attractive and interesting pictures in their minds, like the pictures hung in my mind by Mr Phelps.
Reference
Watson, L. E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
