Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-09-17
L. w. BRIGGS,
West Maccdon,
Wayne Co., n. Y.
For the Republican.
Qualifications Of Common School
faH Ha Teachers.

/ For the Republican.
Qualifications Of Common School
J A HA Teachers.
The station Of common school teachers
is truly responsible one, and few tho'ts
in regard to the qualifications which they
should possess, will not, 1 hope, be a.
miss. a lHa
! 1st. Twill notice thcqualifications which
they should possess in regard to morality.
This matter is too much overlooked. Per-
sons who are addicted to gross vices, sho ID
not be employed as instructors of our
youth. We should invariably select in
dividuals for this station, whose characters
are irreproaehable. Teachers exert pow
} erful influence over theirpupils, and if these
teachers are addicted to vicious habits,
their influence win have strongly demor-
alizing tendency. s
2. The qualifications of teachers in re-
gard to learning will be investigated. Our
statute at present declares that they shall
be capable Of teaching Orthography, Read
ing, Writing, Geography, Arithmetic and
r Grammar. This standard which is not
fully carried out, is certainly as low as it
should be. Those who take upon them
selves the responsibilities of school teach
ers, should possess thorough knowledge OF
these branches. They should also master
: other branches, as rapidly as possible
AS teachers they will find it greatly to
f their advantage to understand Philosophy,
e History, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology
, Physiology and other sciences of practical
| utility. There is no danger of learning
e too much. They will find in their voca-
tion use for alisthc knowledge they can
possibly acquire.
The idea that persons Of limited cduca-
! ton will answer to teach the low branches
is erroneous. Good scholars arc needed
It to teach Orthography. Through the ig-
It noranee Of teachers, many children in the
first of their school days contract bad hab-
" its of pronunciation which are very hard to
overcome, and which not unfrequently
T cling to them through life.
i 3. Teachers should possess large a.
+ mount of patience. Many things connect
? ed with their duties arc peculiarly trying
!. to the temper, but these should be endured
without the manifestation of anger. Par
h oxysms Of rage are always unbccoming
/ and especially in a school room
4. Teachers should be refined in thni
!. manners. do not advocate an adhercnc,
n to the often foolish and absurd forms o.
f fashionable life. But there is certain a
. grecableness and proprioty of behavior
which always secures esteem, and this
characteristic teachers should possess
Coarse and clownish manners are seri.
1 Gus objection, in those who occupy this
r station. : s...i....,s -.
h 3. Teachers should be capable OF prop
f erly governing their schools. This faculty
a is generally connected with mild, kind
, but firm demcanor. The best means teach
), ers possess for keeping order in a school
3 is the good will of their scholars. Pun,
I ishment may in some cases be unavoidable
S But when the confidence and love of thu
f scholars is,securcd, teachers will be able
d with very few exceptions, to reason the
d worst into obedience.
The primary object of schools is the in
S tellcctual improvement of those who attend
t as scholars; hence order should be obtain
S ed in a way that is best calculated to secure
s this object. Children in school may thro'
c fear of their teacher keep very still; they
Q may even look on their books constantly,
r and yet learn nothing. This is generally
the case, when they are governed entirely
by, the rod and ferule. 1t is nearly or quite
impossible to make children good scholars
by driving them to their studies. To learn
fast the mind must be engaged, and severe
measures are not very well calculated tc
> draw the mind into this channel. But
children who are governed by reason and
Kindness, almost invariably contract taste
I for their studies, and improve in the same
rapidly. s4nz i es., S ae-el 3
The last qualification, for school teach
ers which Twill notice, is aptness in inn
$ parting Instructions. Many fail here,
! whose qualifications in all other respects
are unexceptionable. Theart ofexplaining
the sciences in clear and attractive man
E ner, is by no means common, but teachers
!, must possess it, if they would succeed in
q their employment. Like all other abilities,
it may be cultivated. The most naturally
gifted in this respect may improve their
9 talent and all persons of ordinary genius
can by diligence, attain to great proicien-
. icy in the art, Ofcourse all who intend to
follow the occupation of teaching. steadily
Z tor otherwise, should labor to cultivate a
5 faculty without the possession ofwhich in
4 "r