Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-06-29


assuming the responsibilities of their vo-
cation. The design of the law is TO pre-
vent the introduction to our schools OF
any teachers who are incompetent for the
duties deyolving upon them. Hence
Superintendent are authorized, yes, re-
CURED to withhold certificates Of approba
ton from any whom they find to be I'M
fitted for the duties Of teacher. The
importance of fidelity to this trust cannot
be over-estimated. The impressions
made upon the minds of youth in our
common schools are lasting in the infu
ence upon their characters, and, if these
are wrong impressions, untold injury to
the individual and to society is the re-
suit. A poor school is worse than none.
The examination of teachers should
be most thorough and extensive, embra-
cling in its scope, not only the few branches
of science which are TO be taught, but
an aptness at teaching, qualities of mind
and heart such as will make good impress
sions upon the plastic youth, and, most
of all, moral character above reproach.
do not say that absolute perfection in
these respects should be required, for this
is impossible, but there should be high
degree Of excellence, and all candidates
who are found to be radically deficient
in these things should be rejected, irres-
pective of their rank in society or the
number of their friends.
Superintendent sometimes apprehend
all this and mean to be faithful to their
trusts, yet they fail from ignorance Of the
proper mode of conducting such an ex-
animation, or lack Of ability to execute
it. Some seem to think that the rarest
and most out-of-the-way things in science
should be brought out and knowledge
of these on the part Of candidates be as
certained. In Arithmetic, for example,
they will give out most difficult and
peculiar problem, such as rarely occurs
and test the candidates skill with this
In Geography, they will ask the exact
situation of some town or river of most
insignificant Importance, and test geo.
graphical knowledge thus. In other
branches they pursue a similar course
Now candidates may stand these tests
and yet be wholly incompetent for the
trusts Of teachers. Some will take ar
opposite course aud ask the simplest anC
: most obvious questions of science and nc
others. These arc no tests at all, and
while ignorance Of them would be a suf
ieient ground for rejecting candidate
/ knowledge of them would be no evi
{ dence Of competency to teach. The tru,
course is to examine thoroughly and ex
tensively upon the Tudiments or funda
mental principles of science, and illustrat,
these by appropriate practical examples
This would be true test of the candi
dates knowledge of science or, if tn
foundation is we'll laid, the superstructur
e will stand, and, if it is not well laid, NJ
e superstructure can stand upon it. B.
e the exercise of little skill on the par
Of the examiner, the candidates aptnes
at teaching may be ascertained. Askin
the mode of explaining this or that prin
n ciple,-" how would you deal with
r. pupil in imparting knowledge of this
i and other similar questions would nc
fail to develop the candidates aptness Q
y happiness at teaching. In reference t
al school government, of course no definit
Of and absolute rule could be required
= this must vary according to circumstance
and the character and dispositions {
both teacher and pupils. But, still, con
potency or incompetency in this respe,
Mt may be ascertained, with tolerable ceI
is tainty, by wise examination. Cast
= requiring discipline may be suppose,
- and the candidate asked how he wouI
le proceed in these cases. So in referent
h, to all other qualifications essential to ii
es making up of good teacher,-a wi.
n. Superintendent will be able TO determir
withstolerable certainty who should
10 approved OF and who rejected
n But Notwithstanding all fidelity on Il
10 part of Superintendent, incompete
n. teachers may sometimes be certified
=. When the fact is ascertained such teac
" ers should be promptly dismissed, unle
a ii is perfectly evident that such dismissiC
he would result in greater injury to Il
nv school and neighborhood than would Il
/. continuance of the teacher.
Superintendent should often visit Il
a. schools under their supervision. Faul
az which they discover in pupils should
y promptly pointed out, while a word
commentator when deserved should n
be withheld. Faults in teachers wifi
:, are not serious enough to require d
~ ~ missal should be kindly pointed out
1. item in priDate. Great care should
a. used not to impair the confidence
a ~ teachers in their pupils or of pupils
u.s. their teachers, for very much depen
upon maintaining such confidence.
ad all proper ways Superintendent shou
en- strive TO promote community of feel
m between the several schools in town, a
Dir. between the citizens and schools.
lu- faithful TO all these trusts they will pro
En- to be the most important and the m,
ca beneficial of town officers.
KARLMARo.