The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-05-03
To school Teachers.

Asssrs, Osaan-l wish through your paper TO
make remark or two in reference To school tea
cheers which may be- the means Of saving me some
trouble and them occasional mobilization
Ky the provisions Of the new school law, it will
be SEEM the school commissioner is required to
examine all tue teachers in his county, Who must
be found TeR qualified to teach all the seven
branches named in the law, or he must withhold
his certificate. Under the old law the school uf-
fic,rs of the different towns could examine and
give certificates to teachers. but the new law re-
qnires this duty to be performed by the eommi,-
sloner alone. In consequence, have Of late had
great many applicaiIon~for certificates from all
parts Of The county, and Am sorry that have
been able. consistently with what conceive TO be
my duty in the premises to grant so few Ger.
iainly not halt Of those who have applied. have
como up to the requirements of the law 1t is a
common occurrence for persons to apply who have
taught school for years, and cannot answer the
simplest questions, such as children twelve years
old ought to answer, and generally can answer
readily.
Now It i, no, plcasan, duty for mo to refuse
certificate to u person wshingto teach; and in a
few instances have granted certificates where
the applicants have not quite come up to the test
Of the law bu, in such cases only upon strong as.
surances from the district that the children were
small, and that the parents were DESTROYS of re
,oinmg tie teacher. But. except possibly in
instances OF tits kind, 1t is ms full determination.
and the object Of this communication is TO give no.
tce, that will grant no certificate unless the APP
plicant is prepared To come M to the require
n,ents OF tie law AMI recommend to persons
proposing to teach, that before they apply to me.
they examine themselves by ih.' test, thus saving
me the unpleasant duty and themselves the NOR
tilicarlon of a refusal ou my part 10 gran: them 4
certificate know the course ! have aionted
will enable br; small proportion Of the present
teachers in his CO. to obtain certificates and know
it may have tie tendency to raise lie wages oftea
cheers, but it will also bring good teachers, aud
hold It Is better to pay $50 per month 10 compe.
tent teachers, than 10 receive as much rs a bonus
from Incompetent nnes.
There i, much .aid--anl most fi,ly--in refer
enCc to teachers ia the very able report Of the
State Superintendent, which would recommend
to the careful perusal Of teachers in this county,
and to all others Interested IN our public schools.
The following paragraphs are SO pertinent to tx
matter in band, that cannot resist the temptation
to transcrbe them
"Thcre is,' says Mr. Gregg undoubtedly great
want of good teachers ia our schools. a majority
of those employed are. perhap., more suited to
the position If pupils than instructors. Their qua
hfcations are represented TO be generally OF ala
inferior gladc. Many ars wholly unfit for the du
ties they have assumed. and they could not do a
better service tc community than To abandon their
present employment aud seek out some other no
nest avocatlon, by which to obtain livelihood"
The wages which nra generally afforded to
teachers are scarcely adequate fur those " ho pas
scss the requisite qualifications fur those who
are destitute If such qualifications, they ARE iar
too high. The compensation gwen to the latter
class i, worse than thrown away Or il nrly SCI
cures 70 those who are tAurht bad habits, bad
principles and disgust for education
L.B DELANO.