The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-05-14
Female Teacher.

There is an impression quite prevalent
that female teachers will not answer to in
struct our winter schools-that we need a
man, who can 60 in, "knock down and
drag out" if need be, in order to secure
obedience from the larger scholars. 1t is
possible that there may be schools requir-
ing such mode of disciplined will not
presume to say that there are not-but they
certainly are very few-much fewer, per-
haps, than most suppose; at least, so ex
perience has proved. Some years ago the
winter schools in Massachusetts were for
the most part taught by male teachers, but
within the last few years the public senti-
ment has become very strong in favor OF
female teachers, and this on the ground
that after much experience it was found
that female teachers were the more success
ful. As an Illustration, take the following :
The village school in certain town had
been under the instruction of young gentle
men, some Of whom were under graduates
from colleges. Their success Of course was
varied. One winter there was a great deal
of trouble. The scholars were almost en-
lirely ungovernable, and the school was
regarded as almost, if not quite, failure.
The district employed a young lady of ex-
perience to teach the succeeding summer.
She gave so good satisfaction that it was re-
solved to risk her the next winter, giving
her the same wages as had been paid tie
preceding winter. The school was COM
plete success. The teacher, engaging with
enthusiasm in her work, soon had the pleas
ure of seeing every energy. of her pupils
spent in study, and characterization was q
thing never thought of.
This is only one case in a thousand. Il
does not require so much force as acisdona in
securing order in a school. A lady will Sc
cure the respect, confidence, and willing
obedience from wild, rough boys, when with
most men they would be perfectly unman-
ageable.
In the best schools East, the tendency is
unmistakable to give preference to female
teachers, winter as well as summer-for
they have been found upon the whole as
successful, if not more so, as male teachers.
They are more capt" to teach, more patient
with the stupid, and in thoroughness of
drill in no respect do they fall behind their
boosted superiors. am now speaking of
trained teachers. In inquiring what mate
rial we have in Kansas for our future teach
ers,every one will be compelled to look to our
young ladies'. Almost every young man
(and boy that can shoulder a musket) of
any vigor and patriotism, is in the army,
fighting for our country. Obviously we
cannot look to them. They are now doing
a noble work, and when they come back,
those that do, very few of them will have
any taste or inclination for preparing them
selves to teach. The young ladies' of Kan,
sas must be the teachers of the children Of
Kansas. In the Opening of the Normal
School, which we hope will be done this
season, We must gather in every individual
whose tastes or inclinstions may lead them
to become teachers, 60 that speedily we may
have a well drilled and efficient corps of
teachers ready TO 60 forth into every nook
aud corner of our State, scattering bless
iugs with lavish hand all around, and ban
ishing ignorance from our borders, render
Kansas worthy the blessings 50 dearly
bought. G. Z. 81.