Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-08-20
educational.
From the Press.
ESSAY ON EDUCATION.
No. 8.

~
and responsible. No one ought, under
any circumstances, to assume the position,
or attempt to discharge the duties without
q consciousness Of being well qualified for
the task. The result Of the influence
exercised by the teacher may not only ma
terially affect the pupil through his life
time, but to great extent determine the
character of the influence which he exercis-
ss on others. and thus. the wave which
teachers set in motion may continue to in
crease and enlarge long after his head is
laid low in the dust. These considera-
tions, together with others which might be
added to this catalogue. show. to some ex-
tent, the fearfulness of the responsibility
which the teacher assumes, and the necss-
sity of being adequately qualified for the
proper discharge Of the duties that lie be.
fore him..
There is as much necessity, and as ma
ny and weighty reason why those who fol.
low the profession of teaching. should be
prepared before hand, and spend time and
make use Of the proper means to be thor
oughly qualified, as there is in reference to
those who follow any other Of the learned
professions; indeed, we think the prepon-
derence of the reasons which demand thor
ough qualification are in favor Of the teach
er. OF him whose vocation it is to aid in
forming the character of the rising gener-
alton, who are to come on the stage of ac-
tion and act their part in the great drama
OF life. That the fact that large proper
tion of teachers are not properly qualified.
and do not intend TO make teaching per-
manent business. but adopt it temporarily
as a matter of present convenience. without
having their feelings interested in their
employment, has proved decidedly detri-
mental TO the cause of education, no one
conversant with facts as they have existed
and do exist. will. for a moment, be dis
posed to deny.
1t is as reasonable to expect complete
success of the physician. the lawyer or the
divine who has never taken pains by pre-
vious study and mental training TO pre-
pare themselves for their respective avoca-
tions, as to expect that the teacher who
has never directed bis especial attention to
prepare himself for the responsible duties
that lie before him.-but who enters upon
them totally unprepared, will as ever be
unsuccessful. While no one would trust
his fortune in the hands of lawyer whom
they did not know to be qualified to dis
charge the duties of his calling;-or their
lives in the hands Of an unqualified. un-
skillful or ignorant physician. they should
be just unwilling to commit the train
ing of the immortal minds of their off,
spring to the hands of those who are not
thoroughly qualified to discharge the du-
ties that will devolye on them in the rela-
tion they propose to sustain.
We are glad to know and to be able to
record the fact that a change is taking
place in this particular. Those teachers
are now sought after who make teaching
their permanent business and have taken
pains to qualify themselves for their subss-
quent calling. Seminaries are now open
ed for the express purpose Of qualifying
those attending them for teachers.
Teaching is essentially scien ce. and as
such requires 20 be learned. To be able to
successfully impart instruction to others.
and especially to children-to be able to
adapt the method of instruction, to the va
rious capacities and different grades of in
tellect which are usually found congrega-
ted in the schooroom-is an attainment of
no common order, and one which cannot
be reached without particular efforts being
put forth in that direction. 1t is one thing
to possess knowledge, to obtain scientific
information, and have our minds stored
with tha. which is useful-and quite anoth-
sr thing to be able successfully to impart
our knowledge to others. and to a variety
of capacities. Some Of the best scholars
that have ever adorned society. who have;
in other positions. been q credit to them
selves. have failed as teachers for want oil
the ability happily and successfully to i'm
part what they perfectly understood to
others.
In the preparatory exercises to which
the candidates for the position of teachers
are subjected in the seminaries alluded to-
this forms an important part. The pupils
are trained in explaining to each other the
different branches they pursue. Indeed this
should be done in all schools, but we shall
speak more fully of this in its proper place
Aftes the teacher is thoroughly qualified
and enters upon his duties, he should b.
impressed with the importance of his mis-
ssion, and the responsibility that rests up
on him. We have already alluded to thu
importance Of the teacher gaining the con
fidence of his pupils. Without this being
done but little can be affected for the bene
fit of those under his charge.
Many teachers fail entirely simply be
cause they fail to accomplish this impor.
tant point. Mildness. urbanity and firm
ness should always characterize the teach
er. in all the different circumstances unde
which he may be placed. Many thing
will occur which are calculated to test his
patience. and his forbearance. but he shoe
ever be on his guard. and not allow him
self to be betrayed into ill-humor or peev
ishness. In his habits. appearance ant
manners, he should be propsr pattern 70
his pupils to initiate.
The teacher should study, and always b
able to come before bis pupils with tha
freshness which is the result Of daily study
1t is this more than anything else, whicl
gives life and animation to teaching.
The teacher should never make prssen
attsinments in any study 6nality. Their
is hardly such thing as . finslity to An,
subject. What have been considered .
finalities have given away like gosssamer
before investigation.