The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-10-05
For the Spirit.
Professional Teaching.

IfOleSSlOnal Ieacnlngs
Heretofore as we'll as at the present time,
teaching has been regarded subor dinate
calling, receiving the services of such ss
were poorly qualified, or those who en-
gagged in it temporarily. On the whole,
the business of instructing our youth, has
been committed to careless hands; those
who, regarding it as inadequate to pro-
fession, have sought more lucrative en-
ployment. The highest interests of hu-
man happiness are thus regarded by many,
as merely secondary. The cultivation OF
faculties, destined to live Immortality, are
weighed in the balances of dollars AID
cents, while the latter entirely oversbadow
the former 1t is true that the State has
made respectable advances towards i'm.
proving the standard of popular educa-
tior; but when we examine the SUBJ
ject in detail, we find that the funds are
not one half the amount necessary to Sc
cure the services of qualified professional
teachers. In many localities, the salaries
of teachers have recently been reduced;
indeed, there is a downward tendency in
the wages of teachers, while the township
boards appropriate only such funds as the
State provides. There are exceptions to
this. The school directors obligations re-
quire him, as far as he has power, to advance
the interests of education. Now, If by re-
ducing the wages, and thus expressing
the teacher, they advance the highest arms
of the State, then do they perform their
intelligent duty. But since, by reducing
the slender living of the teacher, they do
materially defeat the real objects of the
State, in this matter. they should not for
get bis interests-that he must be pro.
tected. We have no disposition to wage
warfare against the school officers of
the State, for the harmonious action OF
both the teacher and board of directors is
necessary to full developement Of the
ends sought in the public school system.
But wheE the wages of teachers continue
to decline, there is an inevitable down.
ward tendency in the entire systeml An
experienced, educated .eacher, in half the
time, will do more to advance the intel.
. ly qualified. Surely there is economy in
employing professional teachers, though
they may require higher salaries.
, Let US examine what constitutes tn,
professional teacher: Educated thor
; oughly III the theory and practice o
teaching, he should be endowed will
: pure, exalted moral principles; thorougl
| acquaintance of the Bible, and the pre-
3 cepts- of the purest writers on moral sci
g ence; and he should not be ignorant q
j these great physical truths developed j
e nature. This subject should constant
r be kept before the young miud-leadin
# him onward. by progression, from th
8 most simple laws of nature, up to th
e great architect of the universe 9Th
a shadow of the Almighty is visible in ii
b works of creation" ."-Linnaeus But v
d do not. know which is the greater phys
l. cal phenomenon microscopic animalc,
e lac or star of the 6rst magnitude!-
Is Each is an emenation of the Almigh
Of God. Added to whole. he should be
le model man, christian and scholar.
IS LIE. the officials of the school departme
he answer the questions, can we secure Il
7e services of such teachers for the meag 6
o. consideration of twenty-five or thirty dt
III lars per month? Remember, you are {
ic guardians of American liberties, and &
e. happiness of unborn millions, that 20
" Iabors are connected with the eteru
to State. The teacher is alike responsib
re according to his power to do good. 2L1
ty .t ,5i1 69 PEsTALozzI.