“The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates”

American proverbs author William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) wrote in the 1960s (probably 1965):
 
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
 
Ward’s saying has been frequently reprinted in books and illustrated on GIFs.
 
   
Wikipedia: William Arthur Ward
William Arthur Ward (1921–March 30, 1994), is one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims.
 
More than 100 articles, poems and meditations written by Ward have been published in such magazines as Reader’s Digest, This Week, The Upper Room, Together, The Christian Advocate, The Adult Student, The Adult Teacher, The Christian Home, The Phi Delta Kappan, Science of Mind, The Methodist Layman, Sunshine, and Ideals.
 
His column Pertinent Proverbs has been featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and in numerous service club publications throughout the United States and abroad. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the pages of Quote, the international weekly digest for public speakers.
 
25 April 1965, Lincoln (NE) Sunday Journal and Star, “Of School & Scholars” by Dick Herman, pg. B7, col. 2:
The Lincoln Education Assn.‘s hatband contribution for the day: The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates and the great teacher inspires.
 
30 December 1965, Boston (MA) Traveler, “News Bulletin Saves Busy Staff’s Time” by Dorothy Boudreau, School News, pg. 16B, col. 4:
Invariably a provocative adage heads the bulletin. Once it noted that “The mediocre teacher tells—The good teacher explains—The superior teacher demonstrates—The Great teacher inspires!”
   
Google Books
Thoughts of a Christian Optimist:
The Words of William Arthur Ward
By William Arthur Ward
Anderson, SC: Droke House
1968
Pg. 16:
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
 
27 May 1966, Gastonia (NC) Gazette, “The Citizen National Bank’s Timely Topics,” pg. 16-B, col. 7 ad:
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.—WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD.
 
7 September 1969, Sunday Times Advertiser (Trenton, NJ), “School Bells Ring In Roebling” by George H, Atkinson, pt. 6, pg. 3, col. 5:
The creed read: “The Mediocre Teacher Tells; The Good Teacher Explains; The Superior Teacher Demonstrates; The Great Teacher Inspires.”
 
Google Books
Living Thoughts:
Inspiration, Insight, and Wisdom from Sources throughout the Ages
By Bernard S Raskas
New York, NY: Hartmore House
1976
Pg. 222:
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward
 
Google Books
Burned Out!:
A Teacher Speaks Out
By Jack Dewey
Shelburne, VT: New England Press
1986
Pg. 80:
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” William Arthur Ward
 
Google Books
1,003 Great Things About Teachers
By Lisa Birnbach, Ann Hodgman and Patricia Marx
Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing
2000
Pg. 305:
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”— William Arthur Ward
 
Google Books
The Quotable Teacher
By Randy Howe
Guilford, CT: Lyons Press
2003
Pg. 104:
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD
 
Google Books
Great Quotes for Great Educators
By Dale Lumpa and Todd Whitaker
New York, NY: Routledge
2004
Pg. 30:
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. —William Arthur Ward