Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-11-21
For the Centre Democrat.
To the Teachers Of Centre County.


tations, and untold expenses of civil war
are upon US; that our noble Government
our Liberties, and our free Institutions are
threatened with annihllation; that the only
asylum for the oppressed of all nations,
stands in danger of being forever demolished
by high handed treason, the praiseworthy
and devoted School Directors of Old Centre,
have again opened wide and deep the chan
nels of Popular Education, and soon healthy
stream from the Fountain of Knowledge will
wind its shining way to every cottage and
hamlet within her borders.
In view of these cheering facts, you are
admonished to use every means that your
skill and ingenuity can devise, to keep your
Schools in healthy condition, and give full
satisfaction to our people.
In referring to my Notes" of last years
ylsitations, find that manv schools were
partially and few, sadly defective espe-
cially such as were kept by inexperienced
hands. A want Of system-of approved
modes Of teaching of order, proper classif-
cation-studious habits, and high moral
tone, seem to pervade, here and there, in a
greater or less degree, throughout the coun-
ty.
Now, let me ask Who are responsible
for these defects Most certainly, the
Teachers are, for '',Uhat the Teacher is, so
shall the School be-" and since he is the
cultiyator of immortal minds, it is clearly
evinced "that as he sows SO shall he also
reap" How long, then, shall the apathy
and ineficiency of some Teachers be toler
ated How long shall the industrious citi-
zens of this County continue TO pay enor-
nous taxes for the support of schools, from
which, in some localities, theylderive no ade-
quate benefits And, how long shall the
noble system itself be made to suffer at the
hands Of those who are its principal opera
tives ! Let ME assure you that these delin>
quencies can not be borne with any louger.
''TIhe clogs in the m achinery must bo remov-
ed" Teachers must qualify themselves to
do their whole duty. They must work
work Systematically and successfully, or be
compelled to leave field which can only be
cultivated by skillful hands.
As many of our patriotic and veteran
Teachers have taken Up arms in defence of
our Government and our Liberties, sheer ne
cessity caused us to add few more Tyros
to the stock already at hand With view
to aid these in TIE performance Of their deli
cate and responsible duties, let the following
instructions be strictly adhered to-:
l. Begin with good oroer, and maintain it
to the end. Set the example yourselves.
2. Classify your pupils with reference to
their capacities rather than their ages
3. Let your rules be few and simple, and
let these few be strictly adhered to.
4. Endeayor to secure, by friendly feeling
and sentiments. the affection and respect of
all your pupils. Acquaint yourselves with
their natures and dispositions, and let your
IN odus OpcrandT' be in accordance with
them. Endeavor to awaken spirit of emu
lation in the stu1ies 'persued and due inter-
est by the community.
5. In your Efforts to reform the refractory.
try all mild means at first; if these fail, trv
the rod; if all fail, report to the Board,
whose duty it is to have them expelled
Suffer no pupils to dispute with you, or to
visit during school hours. Keep your school
rooms attractive, properly ventilated, and
their furniture grounds clean and IN good
order.
6. Have specified time for each reclta-
tion, and let lessons be studied at home
Make every effort to secure punctual attend
ance and the cooperation parents.
I. Introduce moral instruction either
orelly or by the use ofsome standard works.
Ex rcise daily the whole School on Outline
Maps. Let map drawing and composition
be practiced by such as are capable.
8. For your own persona advancement,
as well as that of your School, read some
Standard Works on Teaching. Attend Dis
trict and County Institutes. You will be
questioned at your re>examination, as to
the number Of Sessions you have attended
and if it be that any has willfully absented
himself from this means of improvement, it
will be in vain he will seek to be licensed
Good Teachers do not dread the light.
To convince you more fully that the de-
fects already alluded to, lie at your doors
go with me to the school room of the true
Teacher. Behold his gentlemanly appear
ance blandished manners indefatigable
energies ! his superior skill patience and
indomitable perseverance in the even tenor
of his way making the rough ways smoothe
and the crooked straight The locality in
which he tolls, is green spot, an oasis,
standing forth in bold relief, and rendered
futile by his individual exertions. tits in
habited by host Of friends, made so by his
affability and uprightness. He is daily sur
rounded by bright eyes and joyous hearts,
in which he is momentarily sowing the germs
of intelligence and virtue.
In this isolated spot appears to have
sprung up g the Tree of Life,n on whose
golden fruits the aged and the young feast
sumptuously every day" Compare this fa-
vored people with the noisy and thoughtless