The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-10-29

TINS respect very much needs lnstructInpt
and until there is o strong and lively l,s-
lief pervadiDg the public mind that tha
teacher needs professional training as
much as the doctor, lawyer, or minister,
1t is idle to hope for any marked improve.
ment in the profession.
Ditica}ties-I cannot refrain from
bringing to public notice the practice If
some neighborhoods in regard to their
schools. 1t often happens that their ars
several applicants for the same school and
each family or clique desire the Board 10
hire their tavorite, but the Directors after
careful investigation employ the one in
their opinion best qualified TO discharge
the important duty of training the young.
Of course somebody must be disapppint,
ed, and those who are. mauy times com.
mence spreading as widely as possible the
| impression that the teacher selected BY
the Board is incompetent or unworthy Of
his responsible position. Should they
iaiI to create public opinion in general
the minds of the children in disaffected
families become poisoned, and the 6rst
necessity for crossing their inclinatiops--
the opportunity will not long be wanting
is seized upon as a reason for turning
out the teacher. When the opposition
does not go TO such lengths, the children
of the disaffected are taken out of school
as socn as they are not permitted to have
their own way and others are urged to
follow their example. Sometimes it liz
not necessary that their "favorite" should
be rejected to stir up this factious oppo-
sitIou, for | have known family to feel
disaficcted and continue TO make dispara-
gIng remarks about the teacher because
the teacher of their choice, who had not
even applied. had not been hired Many
; very frvilous causes sometimes produce
trouble, such as vague rumor prejudi-
clal 10 the teacher, or an unfayorable "irst
impression" Parents under such cir.
cumstances often injure the reputation Of
their chosen servant and undermine hiR
influence careless of the fact they are tri-
fling with their own dearest interests.
When will parents learn that the teacher
who must often check the impatience,
spur the indoeuce and restrain the way.
!, wardness Of childhood, caunot be success
tu' without their heartiestsupport When
!, Will they learn that a blow ut the harmt.
nv and success of their school is a cruel
It b al the future welfare of their children
Whole number of SchooI Houses in the
county, l07 nun Der yet unfit, 27; num-
Der built during the year, 9; number
without apparatus, including black board,
i II.
! Whole number Of Schools, 10; num-
Der well classified, Is number where the
Scriptures were read, S2
Whole number teachers examined .14S;
, number provisional certificates granted,
!. 1871 number applicants rejected, IL.
Number Of Schools visited twice, 70;
number visited once, SO; number not
visited, I.
School Houses Very little change in
the condition of the houses Three new
} ones have been built to supply the place
Of cid ones, but three have been built to
establish new schools which must be 70.
garded as unfit, so that the number re-
} uIans the same as last year. Of The
houses built during the year, one in He
bron deserves especial notice. Ii /. o.
substantial structure of wood, 30x36 feet
on the ground, and II feet story A nice
row of seats for the little ones" is very
/, commendabIe. Upwards of $500 were
donated byth euterprzing neighborhood
towards defIuylng the expense of erection,
, to which fact it owes some of its praise
worthy features.
Furniture amdApparatus.-No change
ln furniture worth mentioning, and none
at all in apparatus. An attempt is now
being made to introduce Maps.
.Schoois-It will be seen that I have
reported three more schools than houses.
Abbott, Hector, and Stewardson have
each school kept in private house.
! GossGcation.-When the recitation
is done IL class and the books are nearly
uniform, the school IS reported swell class.
lied y but of the remainder very few are
entirely destitute of classification.
FtSjtS.-Schools not visited are those
not in session during the year, or having
only one session and that at an unusual
season. Schools visited once if they had
more than one session, were closed either
temporarily or permanently when | was
in those districts The average length
Of the visits for the whole county is II
hours.
District MStitutes-One was formed
IN Homer and held regular meetings dur.
ing the latter part of winter. cannot
give the mem bership but at the time
attended about fifty were present, dozen
of whom were teachers. The teachers
were called together in Harrison, Sharon,
aud Roulette iii January last but no per.
lnanan1 nrranlzafinn Xns affected --