J.W. Beatty's reputation as a defender of the Canadian landscape was so primary to his character that as a teacher he was considered by many to be the most influential man of his generation. He believed that personal feelings in art were acceptable but that meaningful expression could only be achieved when subject matter dealt with things that the artist and viewer shared, thereby making the best choice the Canadian landscape. His position could not be mistaken:

The Art of Italy is dead, Holland has no art, nor Spain or Belgium. The art of France is a chaotic state that it does not know whether its pictures are upside down or not. England is indeed the only European country that can lay claims to art today. Ten years from now the United States will lead the world... what of Canada? I come to you as a prophet. The future of this country stands for more than that of any country on earth.

In 1912 Lismer convinced Beatty to give up independent teaching and join the faculty of the Ontario College of Art. He was considered a born teacher with all of the necessary traits from an authority of presence to a fondness for people but overall, an unwavering patience.