Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-11-06
Notes to Young Teachers.
From the AshtabuIa Sentinel

The teachers intercourse with his schol-
ars should be such as to secure their conn.,
dence, affection and respect. 10 accom-.
plish this, no better rule can be adopted
than to treat your scholars in the same
manner in which you delighted to be
treated when you sat upon the seats
yourselves. 1t Is 0ub a transfer OF the
golden rule from its general application to
school room relations.
If YOU are truthful, and every teacher
should be, and prompt In the discharge OF
Init of whatever kind, the first poln: Is
easily gained. When your scholars take
the position that a thing Is so, ''beeause
our teacher says so" or that certain work
will be done for the same reason, you have
ACQUIRED q great power. Be careful, then,
in all your words and works that you are
right. As a stranger, you can easily gain
the confidence Of all around you, but con-
hdence once lost, is regained only at the
expense of long and faithful effort.
There are many little points that will
need careful guarding in this particular.
Some teachers are in the habit Of promis-
inc little gifts; but these are never forth
coming. After a short time this kind of
promise excites no interest in the mind OF
the child, but disgust rather. so there
are promises of special seasons of recrea-
ton or explanations, which v come.
All these are so many death blows TO a
teachers influence, as the following little
incident in the experience Of q friend of
mine will show. He was IN the habit of
promising the children OF the schools un-
der his care, u little speech or story on his
next visit, but never fulfilled. After this
had been repeated some have dozen times,
one little fellow was heard to say, ''Pshaw,
I've heard that so often I'm sick of it. l
don't believe he'll ever do as he promises"
and this came 70 be the universal senti
ment among the younger children
Promise little; perform all you promise.
Would YOU have the affection of those
who are placed under your care? This
may. be as easily acquired Us the other,
and more easily retained. Children look
forward to the first meeting Of the new
teacher" with q great deal OF interest, and
that the first impression should be a favor
able one. is worth a great deal to him
Then 90 among them pleasantly. Have
e cheerful greeting for all. Let it be a
meeting from the heart, and not put on
for the occasion Let all your after inter
course be of the some genial kind. Years
ago, you loved the teachers cheerful greet
ing, his pleasant nod Of recognition, and
his encouraging wo-ds. Every child heart
around you, may be made to throb joyfully
by thai which you should willingly be
stow, the gift of kindness. Try 1t.
Have no ''pets." Many teachers are
affectionate enough towards = few, and al
ways meet Squire AS children with be-
respect and consideration but
have nothing to say to little Billy Jones,
whose mother keeps her family together
by taking in washing Shame upon the
who will make such distinctions I
Did you ever think that fifteen or twenty
years hence the brains now under that IN
combined hair, and the heart beneath that
jacket, may be the controlling
power Of q man far above you and ycGr
s'pets" in social and intellectual position.
Such has been the case with others, and
the like may happen again.
You were hired to teach the school,
Treat all alike. This IS the only just the
only safe a You may esteem some
highly than others. This is natural;
It Is your privilege; but it must neve
show itself in your intercourse with Your
school. The teacher who has acquired the
reputation of being .parlsl" can do but
little good.
He who has gained the confidence and
affection of his pupils, can easily secure
heir respect Dignity and decorum, with
/ vein of humorous cheerfulness, should
mark his general course. He may not in
iulgs in anything cloWpish or ungenteel
will fcppishness nor arrogance
his purpose any better. He must
how himself the true man, and be fully
live to his work. Never failing to be
lnpreciative, he will ever be appreciated.
H. U. JOHNSON.
Normal Institute, Orwell, Ohio.