Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-03-19
For the Prescott Journal.
Teachers Institute.

Mr.. EDIToE.-I noticed in your last paper
a notice of the a Teachers Institute" to be
held at River Falls. The means, ihen. by
which teachers can be induced to qualify
themselves for their duties, becomes very
proper subject of inquiry.
But few yourg person. look upon teaching
in any other light than as a Temporary en-
ployment-one which they intend to leave in
brief time FOR somemo.e permanent and lu-
craiive business. Can il be expected. there
FIRE. that they will take mnch pains TO fit
Themselves for business which they are to
leave almost as soon as commenced I? They
know that they are TO teach only for few
terms. of a few months each per year, and
that agriculture. the mechanic arts. or the pre-
ssions. is 10 be their main employment and
can We lame them for directing their chief
attention Ia that business by which they ale
to suIptri themselves 20 they. in this ie-
street., act Giifer, ntly from the rest of man
kind Is it strange. rcLmstanced as they
are. that they should " counffhe hours" and
look at expected reward as the chief consid.
Grafton 60 They are censured-loudly de-
clairied against. / know, for their unfaithfnl
ness but who is the most 10 blame. the
tenpter or the tempted? Tae district. which
IS constantly encouraging the young and in
competent to take charge Of business for
which they are wholly untitled. or the Young
and inexperienced teachers themselves. who
are often unconscious of the responsibility
they are about 10 ASSUME, and who are stimu-
lated by the strong promptings Of necessity
No one who gives this subject a moments
thought. can fail to see the great improperly
of placing children under the moral. physical.
and intellectual training of such teachers.
The farmer. in Fencing his flrm. does not
fail 10 see the true economy of using cedar
instead of Eastwood posts (; although the first
cost of the one may be- ten times greater than
that Of the other. The talent for teaching is
a rare commodity and when found. it should
ts encouraged and retained in the b. sness as
long as possible.
i regret to say. that some Of the better class
of teachers in this county. have been hereto
Cor portion of young and inexperienced APP
plicants, who are offering to teach for almost
any Price. The duty of examining these is
thus forced upon school officers. and con-
slant struggle between duty and necessity
imposed upon them. 1t, therefore. they should
frequently license these who do not succeed,
it cannot be surprising. from the great num-
her OF new teachers which they are constant
" compelled 50 introduce into the Schools
Is It asking too much. therefore, of the pat
rons Of our schools to urge them 10 sustain.
by Il proper liberality. those teachers who are
are intelligent. experienced. and devoted
those who have taught. and been found faith
full. and devoted If patrons consult their
true interest. they will encourage the teachers
in ;ht Sc efforts To fit the mselves for usefulness,
and mot check the disposition TO improve by
want of Cooperation and sympathy.
am firmly convinced that these institutes,
these annual meetings of the teachers of the
county, will do more TO render their instruc-
ton uniform and effectual than all the other
incidental agencies we now employ for this
purpose. These institutes disseminate TO
all parts of the county the light accumula-
ted at the centre. Ii should not be forgotten.
however. that great individual efforts. and
sometimes sacrifices. are now necessary to
maintain them; and / very much doubt
whether they can be perm anently maintained
without assistance from individuals. If the
teachers voluntarily give time. 1t is all that
should be required of them.
] beg your indulgence. Mr.. Editor, for the
'ength To which have unntentionally extern
ded my remarks oil this subject. l cannot but
deem the subject of the schools. FIRST. last,
midst" and that all our other ex -rtions. if We
expect success to attend them, m ist be only
branches of one common trunk, whose base,
whose root ~ here.
OBsERvHa.
Prescott, March IS. 1864.