Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-05-28

feature Of system, yield very general ooeucncc
to the laws in regard to it. Almost all classes OF the
people are pervadcd with more correct ideas - to
what is necessary in . good teacher; and teachers
themselves, Is q body, have vastly improved, and
have also had ample opportunity and full waSnineto
prepare for . step in advance Of our present posi-.
ton.
The time has therefore come. to require teachers
more generally to give instruction in oil the essen.
tial and elementary branches Of IN English etuea-
ton and among these essential branches arc Gram.
mar and Geography. Few teachers can now give
any excuse for not having some knowledge Of these
branchss such are the facilities for learning. In
almost every ncighboyhood, and often in hmilies,
and such the chcapncss and character Of text books
that no one can read and who has capacity and who
expects to devote him herself to the business Of
teaching can have any excuse but that Of h1iness
for ignorance Of these branches.
There is now scarcely any community in the State
where teacher desiring to learn these studies
not find some one able and willing to give such as
sistance is needed to promote his progrcss and
in fact, matured mind can easily acquire knowl-
edge Of Geography without an instructor.
No one can rad or write correctly without .
knowledge Of Grammar; and IL there were no insu-
perable opposition on the Fart Of parents, Il should
be introduced in some Of its elementary FORMS -
IS the child is able to read and TO understands
rule for the construction Of sentence. The princ
pies Of Grammar should be inSensbly interviewer
with all earliest instruction after lcavin: the
spelling book and in this age Of discovery, Of terri
toral expansion on the part Of our Government. q
rapid Commercial intercourse among al nations and
Of intimate and extended international connections
and interests in al parts Of the world Geography b
an allimportant branch Of study to every class Of
children.
The smallest farmer m the interior Of North Car.
DINA has now . direct and acknowledged interest in
the revolutions in China and the explorations in the
heart Of Africa; and 1t is impossible to rad sati
factorily, and Understandings village newspaper
wishes to be well and practically informed h now
turned to the map Of the world; and the teacher
who feels no interest and no curiosity on this sub
ject cannot feel any interest in the affairs Of the
world or the progress Of things and is therefore.
unfit for the position Of instructor Of his fcllowLc
ings.
l know well by experience and observation that
Geography. IA general thing. is the most interest.
ing Of all studies, to children-thcy have natural
curiosity about the manners the people and the df
ferent countries, and they will learn to Rad sooner
in good Geography than in any other work. The
reading Of geography is like traveling-thers Is .
perpetual and interesting change Of scenes and incl
dents, and the mind is more easily impressed with
ideas than in any other way.
1t is therefore, inexc,,sable in teacher Of matu.
red faculties not to know want to know the prn.
cples Of Geography.
The mere ignorance Of the science Il not in itself
by any means the worst sign Of his qualifications for
the important post Of instructor Of Others il il the
fact that this ignorance generally indicates most
narrow range Of thought and great want of that
kind Of interest in the affairs Of the world which Is
on essential element Of usefulness that renders him
unfit for the position he seeks
80 Elerats the Standard Of Teachers BY R,gsi.
ring more 72orongAsess in the Sssdin Tasgki
IL &c fill 60 A. L.
in all the branches taught and to make the cxami.
nation on each particular study, full and search.
ing than heretofore. There are now many teachers
who have passed . number Of examinations; and
the fact that these have so often obtained your sane
ton to teach, so far from being rcason for light
or careless examination constitutes the strongest ar
| gument for more stringent course on your part
and most respectfully submit that Il il your duty
to see that they have made progress commensurate
with their opportunities. ... -.
And here permit me to call your special attention
to an evil which demands an immediate remedy.
A tacher Of respectable moral character, and very
anxious to get school, passes . toleraSle examine
tion and under the circumstance he properly sets
certificate; and after year spent in teaching, h,
again presents himself to the examining committee
The committee is in . hurry, and Is this applicant
has once passed an examination, they ask him bu
few questions; and when he returns again his thrs
certificate is still more easily obtained than the sec
ond because he has been twice licensed before.
This principle Of action Is wholly wrong, IN,
will produce consequences exactly the opposite o
those intended by annual examinations Eeer
teacher, at each reRexal Of kI or her eerfj6est.
ought to be more critically e1amiRed on al Il
branches on schieh he or ale had .tormsrly pased
and Il this just and important rule is constantly pu
in practice, the standard Of qualifications Win b
surely elevated while its neglect will prevent muc
Of the good intended to be produced BY these snnu
al renewals.
SO E7eeate the Standard Of 7sae1ers By rsqxil
ing them to araH tAemaelres If means eifSin iAxi
reach for improvement
It il clearly the right Of the examining committs
to test the character and qualification Of applicant
for license to teach. by enquring into their dispos
tion, to avail themselves Of all the proper mcas
within their reach to prepare for the faithful Iii
charge Of the duties Of the vocation to which Inc
aspire.
A number Of measures, designed to facilitate Il
Improvement Of teachers, hare cmanatcd from III
, ONCE. and been sustained by public opinion; sr
they have the Recommendation Of being within Il
Pecuniary means Of al, and Ct having been us,
;. with eminent success in many other States
Among these is the formation Of State, Distr;
, and County Educational Associations, and The pu
lication Of Journal wholly devoted to the intesvs
Of education and freighted with contributions fro
experienced aid intelligent teachers Of every cls
and in every part Of the Stats. : - -. :.
! Every teacher il able to take one CODY Of u
> journal and to pay the cost Of msmbership In
! Educational Association and ! respectfully suers
= that It IL part Of your duties to examine an spu
cants Tor certificates to their disposition and g.
Duct with regard TO these mattesx - - 6
: An male teachers, who have once be.o H..,..
e should % asked they have jiaed thas Stats =
" cationei Assoeistion, q are members Of any Couu
or District Society Of the Kind and II they ansv