Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-07-12
2s7. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSION
AL CERTIFIUATE.

zoI. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSION.
AL CERTIFIUATE.
This form of certificate exempts the holder iron
all future examination in the branches specified
within the county in which it is issued It is there
fore to be granted only on the cearest proof 0
personal worth, literary proficiency and profession
al merit.
Moral Character is the first qualification of th
Teacher; and admission to the highest rank O
the profession in the county, is not to be based
on the mere absence of open objection, in thi
respect. Positive knowledge of propriety of con
duct is to be possessed, sough and obtained, a
prerequisite. In the absence of satisfactory
knowle dge this point, the certificate should b,
withheld till reliable information is procured and
in case of ascertained delinquency, the certificate
is to be refused entirely no matter what the Other
qualifications.
Scholarship, to secure this certificate, must be
full ia all the branches enumerated, otherwise il
will not be sufficient to meet the probable wants Of
the school in which they to be taught The stan
dard is at the least not to faH below the following
degrees of proficiency:
In OrthogrGphy, any ordinary word of the language
is to be spelled with readiness, and the principles
aud rules which govern English photography are to
be understood.
In Reading, passages of different styles, in prose
and verse, are to be read without hesitation, in
full voice, with correct pronunciation and due at
tention TO the pauses, and with such command of
tone, Infection emphasis, &C., as to give the true
sentiment of the author. The general principles
and rules of elocutionAry pronunciation and read
ing, are also to be understood and explained
| In
indispensable but 10 this should be added, if
possible, facility of execution, and beauty and
grace in the formation of each letter. The power
to represent rapidly and accurately, letters, dia-
grams and figures of objects, on the slate and
/ blackboard, Is also Invaluable in the Teacher.
In arithmetic, questions in the Mental depart
ment of the science, are to be comprehended and
reproduced with readiness and solved with ac-
curacy and promptnessi in the Written depart
ment, problems in any of the ordinary rules short
of Algebra, are to be solved with facility. clear
ness and accuracy, and the principles involved
in every rule and the reason for every operation
employed, are to be explained Book keeping
should also be understood.
In Geography, the relation OF our globe to the
solar system, the causes of night and day, and of
]
Descriptive and Physical geography, and the def
milton of the terms used in the science, are to be
understood A sound general knowle dge of the
geography of the whole werld, and an accu-
rate acquaintance with that of the United States,
are also to be possessed -witho ut however exact
ing such minute details as the length of the smaller
streams. or the population of unimportant towns
In Grammar,-in addition to the ability to parse
any sentence etymologicaly and syntactically,-
the nature and methods of oral Grammar. as the
beginning, and of logical Analysis. as the highest
department, of the science, should be understood.
No Teacher should receive this certificate who
habitually speaks ungrammaticaly and, as a
further test OF his knowledge of the language and
aptncss to teach, he should be able to define or ex
PLAN any ordinary word proposed to him.
OTHER BRANoHEs.--The foregoing are the
branches enjoined by the School law but the pro-
gressive Teacher viii not rest content with the
certificate of even these respectable attainmeuts
The County Superintendent will often be requested
to designate other studies proper to be pursued
and it will be bis pleasure well as hfs duty to do
SO. More than two or three, at the same time,
should not be recommended but the Teacher who
will gradually add the following branches to his
previous store of knowledge, viii thereby vastly in
crease his professional efficiency, and add to his
own individual enjoyment and influence :-Algebra
and Geometry; History and Physiology Natural
Philosophy and Astronomy Chemistry and Geol-
ogy Mental and Moral Philosophy and, if possi-
BILE, one or more of the Ancient or Modern Lam
guages. 1t is true, that the mastery of even the
one half of this list, will require years of study
but it is equally true that the practical Teacher
has better opportunities and more bours for study,
than the member of any other profession, and that
study is, with him, professional preparation.
PROFESSIONAL SKILL is theoretical and practical. |
TO ascertain theoretical knowledge, the candidate
should be examined on the science of Teaching,
embracing some knowledge of human mind and its
means of culture, and the principles that govern
the methods of teaching, school management, and T
school government. This will cause a more eener-
al reading of works on education than heretofore.
to the advantage of both teacher and school, But
as methods of instruction and government are very
various, and as all may be successful, practical
skillca only be known by seeing the Teacher in
school, and there witnessing results. general
knowledge OF the science of Teaching aud the suc
cessfnl practice of any of its approved methods,
are, therefore, to be the standard of professional
skill; and no lower qualification should be recoe-
nized in granting this certificate.
PRESENTATION OF CERT1FIoArR. When No. 1.
IN all the branches has been attained full satisfaction
N the school room given, and moral Character
found exemplary. the Professional Certificate is to