The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-09-03
y WORD Abont Scbool Teacbers.

Word About School Teachers.
The people of Lyon and adjoining couh-
ties are taking steps to have frstrclass
schools. In many of the districts excel
lent school houses have been erected, OF the
most comfortable, durable and convenient
class. They are further advanced in school
matters than any new country we know Of
They have taxed themselves very heavily
for this purpose. Their zealin the,eause of
education speaks we'll of them.
But our object more particularly is to say
a word about the duties of the citizens to-
ward the teachers. 1t is supposed that the
object of this heavy taxation to get up
school houses and hire teachers is to have
good schools. But in our Judgment there
will have to be little change in the course
of the people toward their te achers in one
respect before they can have very good
schools. Our remarks refer more particu-
rlarly to this dietrict-but we presume they
are true TO some extent Of others. We re-
fer to the disposition to grumbls at the
teachers. If he or she makes what we
think little blunder, it ought not to be
harped upon about the town as though they
had committed great crime They must
have the support and confidence of the peo-
pie. Theirs is indeed a difficult and thank
less work at best, and what effect must it
have upon the teacher who is laboring ear
nestly to fulfil his or her high calling, if at
every little mistake they make, or every lit
tie thing they do, different from what we
saw when we went to school, they must be
talked about as though they were a set Of
oulprits Last winter we often felt sorry
for our teachers. They did the best they
could. Few persons visited the school or
paid any attention oit. Yet 60 about the
streets and shops, and even residences, and
you could hear them getting regular tongue
lashings almost any time, for things they
had done that did not meet the appreciation
of all Now we must recollect that while
there is much TO be expected from the teach
er, there is also something due them on the
part of the citizen. They must have our
confidence and es TEEN, and warm friendship.
We must encourage and uphold them. We
must not make them feel, as they come from
thesschool-room every day, that their con
duct must undergo severe criticism and CEN
sure. Their term is short, and if they do
not fulfil thewants of tie school it is an
easy matter to change and get another teach
err You have a Board of Directors chosen
from among your own citizens, and it is
supposable they will do the best they can to
have good teachers and good schools but
much is to be done by each citizen, by word
and deed, to make them succeed, and much
can be done by word and deed to iniure their
prosperity. We make these remarks be-
cause our fall and winter schools are about to
open, and because we feel that it is our du
ty to say something of this kind. Every
citizen can contribute to the success of the
schools, Extend to the teachers your friend
ship, your sympathy and confidence. Wis
it the schools, help your children at home
to get their lessons, and contribute every
word of cheer you can for the good of
teacher and pupil, and your schools will be
better.