Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-03-20

some cases upon the verdict of other
superintendents.
The ercellence of my Judgment has
been confirmed by the fact already
mentioned that some of those who
appeared worst at examination, have
taught some of our best schools and
Uice UerSG.
I yield superiority to no one, of
equal opportunity for judgment,in my
ideal of what a teacher ought to be,
and of the Importance Of the work
entrusted to his hands. 1t is a fear
full responsibility which we entrust to
the teacher of our children. But
using my best judgment Of that which
is specific cases is wisest to do, and
Judging not merely of attainment in
books, but as we'll as [ could Of other
qualifications, hor0 sought tl0 good
of all interested in schools and teach
ers. | feel that upon the committees
Of our districts rest no small share
Of responsibility as to the character
of teachers employed and their adap-
tation to the particular school OF
which each committee has charge. |
will only say further under this head,
that | have granted certificates to
eighteen persons; some of them un-
der conditions, and some to those eX-
peCting to teach in other towns where
other superintendents were to revise
my work. OF these only SIC were
publicly examined. The remainder,
some with, and some without good
reasons, have sought to pass the or
deal more privately. In no branches
have these candidates been so def
cient as in Geography and History;
in none perhaps so well qualified as
in Arithmetic. 1t seems to me that
very desirable end Il the examina-
ton would be secured if committees
would defer making a positive engage
ment with any save old and tried
teachers till after the examination,
and themselves being present at that
time, exercise their own Judgment in
the premises. This is essential from
the fact to which | have alluded, viz 4:
that we cannot in the existing order
of things judge abstractly Of the
qualifications Of the teacher, but
must take into consideration the kind
of school to be taught, and all the
other elements Of the case. Each
committee in particular, and the su-
perintendent to the extent Of his in
formation, ought to pass judgment
upon the teacher, as each man does
upon the woman he proposes to mar
ry; not demanding that she shall be
the best for mankind IN general, but
feeling that she is well suited to the
peculiar situation he wants her tn fiiI
Then if mistakes in judgment occur
we may be thankful that it is nearly
Us easy to get rid Of an inefficient
school teacher, as under modern laws
of divorce of an "uncongenial com
panion."
The second part of the Superinten.
dents duty; that of visiting the
8chools,-though like the first left al
most entirely to hint is not so diff.
cult to perform reasonably well. II
is, to be sure, a work which must be
a labor of love so far as compensa
ton is concerned. Any bodied
man with his horse could earn twice
or thrice the pay obtained for time
so spent, and most of US, with the
horse standing in the stable, coulC
make our work of far more pecuni
airy advantage. But this is not al
we live for, and many of my after
moons have been very pleasantly
spent in this service, and others if
t not pleasant have been perhaps prof
, liable. With an outline of my obSer
vatiQnS Of the schools, as brief al
: possible, | will close this report.
, In District No. l (this village Dis
| trict), two schools have been main
} tanned by the District, summer an(
| winter. A short term of the Acade
= my was taught in the spring by Mr.
/ A. G. Burbank; its fall session wa
r under the charge of Mr.. A. J. Gar
: land and Miss Helen Kimball. Th
/ summer schools were each of then
D decidedly good. Miss Mary Sartl
!, who taught the upper department
2 won the sincere attachment Of he
pupils, was gentle, refined, and lady
like in her department, and had
5 good faculty in communicating instruC
T ton. Perhaps, more decision an
c positive energy would be requisite i
e a winter school, but l doubt not tina
5 the occasion would show their exis
: tence. Miss Victoria Grout taugh
S the lower department both summe
VI and winter and was very successful
p To manage and teach this departmen
o | regard the most difficult task tha
o can be assigned to any teacher. Mis-
e Grout has met the peculiar dificultie
D. of her post with rare discretion an
e ability. Even the added difficulty 0
IS the winter session from causes COZ
J. nected with the other departmen
S. which | need not detail, did not pr,
1t vent the success of her school. O
e the winter session of the upper d,
r partment need say little; there hs
ir been already enough, perhaps tc
st much said, and the least said the be
+ ter. Mr.. Garland began the ter
t, with prejudice against him in Il
ut minds of some Of the scholars an
IN patrons of the school growing out c