The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-01-02
For tho JsfTersonlan Democrat.
Examination Of Teachers.

FRrEND CoEvERsB:-- Allow me, through
the columns OF your paper, to say few
words with regard to the examination OF
teachers. Not that wish TO calI In ques-
ton the ability OF our County Examiners,
for | believe them TO be men eminently
qualified for their Office, and perhaps sec
ond to none in our country. But do be.
lieve, and l think il Is the opinion of nine
tenths OF the parents Of Geauga County.
that they do fail in the method OF exam
nation otherwise. we should not have
40 many worthless teachers foisted upon
the schools OF the County. only to fail up
on their first attempt al teaching.
The practice Of requiring answers to
questions TO be given in we ting, believe
TO be erroneous. Tor Il not only deprives The
Board Of Examiners Ct knowing whether
the applicant has the faculty Of commu-
nicating TO others his ideas in an intelli-
gible manner or not, which is the FIRST
qualification Of the successful teacher, but
It gives the applicant chance to copy his
answers from others---a practice which
believe is carried on TO some extent. In
one instance, am very credibly informed
that young lady, after she had received
her questions. and the Board had ad.
journed for dinner, took them 1.-THE list oI
questiens) with her, and called at a store,
and requested friend to work them out
for her during her absence. He did so
she called on her way back, took the an.
swers, nsfurnished by him, returned them
to the Board, and received cerlifi cate as
a person well qualified 10 teach Common
School, while. at the same time she wa.
incompetent to answer one OF the required
questions. This is not only deprivine
some district Of good school, but /,
licensing class Of worthless school keep
ers--not teachers, TO rob our public treas
ury, and thus debar US Of good schools
The teachers profession is calling tha
is high and holy, and well should they
weigh the responsibility atlashing thereto
Tor wrong impression upon child. when
il first enters school, may cause him OF
her TO be dull scholar through life.
believe that some method might b,
adopted, whereby the qualifications Of ,
teacher might be more accurately ascer
tanned, and our schoolrooms filed will
none but first class teachers, ard thi
worthless trash be driven to their studies
or to seek some other employment.
we wish to secure the services Of a goo,
teacher, we must either have persona
acquaintance with him. or ransack the dis
trict where he has formerly taught, fo
his certificate is no guarantee Of his quail
fcations as a teacher, but merely docu
ment authorizing him to draw from ou
school fund the hard earned money de
posted there for the education of th,
j youth Of our country, though, in uin,
cases out OF ten, without value received
The parents Of Geauga County have
right to demand none but first class teach
ers from the hands ofour School Extmin
ers. A close stteutiou 10 the examina
lion Of teachers. with determination that
none shall obtain cer,iic cates except those
who are thoroughly prepared to discharg
the duties Of teachers, would / believe
do more TO elevate the standard Of GU
common schools, than any additiona
school fund, II is true l have had n,
experience in the management of ths
school room but Heaven knows have il
the employment ofteachers.
]. s. LEGGETT.
Montvillo, Ohio.