Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-08-18
SCHOOL TEACHERS.

An Indispensable qualifcationintea in teach
ing Is thorough knowledge of the sub
jet. without this. all other qualifications
however good cannot render him sue
cessful teacher. A teachers mind
,hould be- completely furnished with the
richest thoughts of the wise and learned,
should have Thoroughly investigated,
under master instructors, the subject he
proposes TO teach, in order to inspire his
pupils with zeal and cmbition for study.
The people now demand more thorough
ly educated teachers, those who have
themselves pursued higher branches of
stndy, those who possess particular facts
and the general principles of the science
they propose to impart to others, those
who will be an honor to the teachers pro
fession. The profession of teaching is
steadily advancing. The teacher in
order now to command the respect of the
enlightened part of community. ought to
possess something more than the lo,rest
qualifications, something more than the
minimum required by law. Noman can
teach that which he has never learned
himself, yet some illiterate men have the
temerity TO pretend TO teach anything
Some teachers are tolerably successful
with small attachments, but how much
better would they accomplish their duty
were they more thoroughly educated
themselves. The School Commissioner
of Ohio says:
so ignorapt are some Teachers in re-
gard to the subjects which they pretend
to teach, that without the constant use Of
the text books Of :heir classes, they could
not conduct recitation. They can do
little more than read the questions which,
most conveniently for them, are found
printed at the bottom of each page"
The importance of securing teachers
of thorough education, meets higher
appreciation than formely it was able to
secure. Instruction is now given in the
higher branches of N2ssral Sciaz-es,
Mathematics and the Classics, in our best
schools. and young men are proposed to
enter the best Colleges in the land at an
advanced standing.
A lore for the employment and an apt
itude to teach are other qualifications,
experience in teaching is also considered
as of great importance, this is one good
Recommendation certainly, but thor
oughly educated teacher with one days
experience is worth more than veteran
teacher with dozen gears experience who
has not pursued his studies beyond those
pupils whom he pretends to instruct
Some teachers instead of making pro.
gress each year, instead of becoming
more proficient and highly cultivated,
stacuate and ever retrograds for the want
of thoroughly disciplined mind and sys-
timatic course of study, and at the end of
ten gears experience are no better qualified
for teaching than the first day they con-
ductedsa recitation; they imagine that /
their previous reputation will conceal and
pardon all future DEFICIENCIES and imper.
fections, they become indolent, lazy, Pc
dantic and conceited. The Board of Ex-
of Clemont Co., Ohio, give an
amusing instance of the Oldest teacher in
hat county, they thus speak of him,
"The Oldest Teacher in our County.
At our last meeting in SEPTEMBER, he en-
leayored to argue the Board into the be-
ief that the verb say in a certain sen
encc was az adjective. But upon GER
ain other examination, the following SEN
ance was given him to parse: "George
Washington, the father of bis country"
1e commenced by saying that George
Washington was an irregular, active, in
verb. indicative mood, present
ense, and was governed by the father of !
lis country and closed with the decla- /
alton that it had been long time since
Ie had looked at his Grammar, and hoped l
hat if he made any mistakes that the ,
gentlemen would excuse him. This J
cry man has been teaching some forty I
ears in this county" 4,
So much for the Experienced Teacher, ,
be more experience he has the less he
noweset ESeAasge.
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