Nebraska advertiser., 1861-06-13
G{1seeIlaue0ns.
A TAX TO Parents.

A Talk TO Parents.
Parents are often guilty, unconsclously
l doubt not, of causing much injury TO
schools by manifesting an interest in ali
the little antipalhies which their children
may have contracted, and by sympathiz-
/ ing with them in all their little wrongs,
real or imaginary, to which they have
been subjected. Probably there is no in
dividual whose motives and actions are
so grossly miscoDceiVed and misrepre-
senled as are those Of the school teacher
This we may readily see from the nature
of his employment; be has TO do with
the mind and passions in all their various
workings, and that at an age when reason
and prudence have but a very limited
sway. As his pupils differ in disposition
and understanding, so his efforts to secure
order and obedience, and his incentives
! 10 exertiOn must vary; TO one a mere
look or word of reproof will be as effectual
as the mos: severe discipline TO another,
and yet is not the faithful, prudent and
sKillful teacher, sometimes severly CEN
sured and accused of parliality, while en-
deavoring TO adapt his mode of discipline
to the peculiar disposition and tempera-
ment of the offender? A conscientious
and WISE instructor will consider it an
important part of his duty, so to study the
character and peculiar disposition of each
pupil, as shall enable him to pursue that
course of discipline which shall most
readily and efectually secure the reform
or best good of all.
But from the want of proper consider
tion on the part of many parents and
guardians, this becomes a Truthful source
of complaints and fault-fnding. A
teacher may pursue that course which ex-
perience and observation dictate as the
best. and which an interest in the well
fare and improvement of his pupils
prompts him to pursue, and while thus
acting and thus influenced by the purest
motives, he is represented by one as be-
ing " too seUere," by anorher " too Lar,"
and by many as partial in his disci-
pline ;" this parent complains that his
children have not studies enough, and that,
because his have too many. And hence
comes all this complaint with parents {?
Does 1t proceed from frequent visits to
the school room, and from actual observa-
ton while there? BY no means; but
from the distored statements of interested
and er pdrte witnesses = the pupils them
selves. Many poor teacher is tried,
fonnd guilty, condemned and almost exc
cuted, without being afforded the least
opporlunitp for self-defense; and per-
chance being all the time unconscious of
the crime or deviations for which he Is
under sentence.
But says one, shall parents always sub
nit to what the teacher does? Is he al
WAYS in the right and children in the
wrong7 Certainly not The teacher Is
not infaIlible; but does he not, or ought
he not TO understand his own business
best? At all events, Wilt always answer
10 rely on the pupils judgment!
| do not intend to assert that most
children design TO make false statements,
but they are so easily biased and pref
udiced, that they very frequently imagine
things which exist only in excited fancy.
A wrong word on the part of the teacher
an improper emphasis, slight onis-
sion OF addition, or even an altered look
or tone. often very materially prejudlces
his reputation. Parents. probably are
not always aware Of the nature aud ex-
tent of their influence, directly or Indirect
w, upon their children, who are prone &c
like or dislike, and endeavor to expires:
the same sentiments which they hear ex'
pressed at the fireside, though aot alway;
correctly. Few realize how many no.
ttons and preiudices children form, under
the influence of those with whom they
spend most of their time.
If any parties should labor with united
heart and hand, surely parents and teach
ers should; their one object and aim should
be TO so train up and instruct those in theil
care, that they shall become useful intel
ligent and moral members of Society,"
The deelorable effects of complaints anC
fault finding, so common in some communi
ties. should never reach the teacher un
less on grounds of the strongest reason
for how often, like an iceberg, do they
chill his ardor, and literally freeze VI
all his kindliest emotions He needs
sympathy and encouragement and WIFI
them properly and reasonably bestowed
/ If he possess manly feelings and a noble
heart, he will almost be strengthed to out
, DO himself 1t has been said, with mucl
truth, that, "as is the teacher, so will b
the school" 1t may with equal truth b
the teacher" Generous, active, interest
ed. intelligent and sympathizing parents
will exert a most powerful and happy IN
1uence upon the instructor of theIt chil
dren; while on the other hand negligen
: and fault-fnding parents will almost para
lyze the energies of the best Of teachers
and render well directed and otherwise
successful efforts powerless. How i'm
portant then, that parents strive by every
word and look to beget IN their children''
feeling Of confidence IN, and respect for
their teacher!